REDMOND, Wash., June 20, 2001 — Customers looking forward to Windows® XP can purchase a new
“Windows XP Ready PC”
today that meets the system requirements for the new operating system, allowing them to upgrade to Windows XP the day it ships, thanks to the Windows XP Ready PC Program. Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp., eMachines Inc., Equus Computer Systems, Gateway Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Corp., KDS Computers, MicronPC, Northgate Computers, Premio Computer Inc., Sony, Systemax Inc. and Toshiba are current PC manufacturers offering Windows XP Ready PCs worldwide today. The complete list of Windows XP Ready PCs worldwide can be viewed online at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/ready/ .
The Windows XP Ready PC Program ensures that the PC meets or exceeds the
Windows XP system requirements and has passed Windows Hardware Quality Lab test for Windows 2000, and that PC manufacturers will provide any necessary drivers at the launch of Windows XP.
In addition, customers can test-drive Windows XP before its Oct. 25 general availability through the Windows XP Preview Program. Preview Program members will also receive the Windows XP Preview Program Newsletter, which provides information on using the exciting new experiences in Windows XP, such as those involving digital pictures, music, movies, home networking and communications solutions. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/preview/default.asp .
“Windows XP is a breakthrough release that delivers incredible computing experiences for both work and home, enabling people to do amazing things with their PCs,”
said Jim Allchin, group vice president of the Windows Platforms Group at Microsoft.
”
With the Windows XP Ready PC Program, people can buy their new PC with confidence knowing it meets the
Windows XP system requirements.”
PC manufacturers have worked closely with Microsoft in developing and testing Windows XP, and a Windows XP Ready PC will assure customers that a system purchased today will meet the system requirements to upgrade when Windows XP is launched on Oct. 25.
“As a strong partner for over 15 years, Compaq has worked extraordinarily closely with Microsoft throughout the extensive development and beta test phase of Windows XP,”
said Michael Larson, senior vice president and general manager of the Compaq Access Business Group.
“Compaq’s No. 1 goal is to promote its broad PC and portable support for Windows XP across its commercial and consumer product lineups via Microsoft’s Windows XP Ready Program and by ensuring that this breakthrough new operating system will be available to customers on Oct. 25.”
“Gateway is excited about Windows XP because it will provide our customers with an easy-to-use platform that enables them to do more with digital photography, digital music, video editing, the Internet and communications,”
said Mike Ritter, vice president of product marketing for Gateway.
“The Microsoft® Windows XP Ready PC Program — along with Gateway’s comprehensive upgrade program — will ensure that customers who buy a new PC today will have an easy transition to Windows XP and all the benefits it offers them.”
“Dell has been fully committed to working closely with Microsoft on Windows XP throughout its development and beta testing phase,”
said Jim Totton, vice president of software for the Client Product Group at Dell.
“We frequently hear from our customers inquiring about when our desktop and notebook computers will be available with Windows XP. By designating our current desktop and notebook computers as Windows XP Ready, our customers can be confident that come Oct. 25, these systems will be ready to upgrade to Windows XP and deliver amazing new computing experiences.”
Windows XP is the new Windows with a brand-new look that gives users the freedom to experience the digital world by putting exciting new experiences at their fingertips, opening the door to endless possibilities. Built on an enhanced Windows 2000 engine, Windows XP establishes the new standard in power, reliability, security and simplicity.
System Requirements for Windows XP
Customers can begin to prepare their current PC systems for a Windows XP upgrade by reviewing the Windows XP system requirements, which are now available for Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional.
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PC with 300MHz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family or compatible processor recommended (dual processor support in Windows XP Professional)
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128 MB of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
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1.5 GB of available hard disk space*
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Super VGA (800×600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
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CD-ROM or DVD drive
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Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
More information and a list of Windows XP Ready PCs can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/ready/ .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software –
any time, any place and on any device.
* Actual requirements will vary based on system configuration and the applications and features chosen for installation. Additional available hard disk space may be required if installing over a network. Additional requirements may be needed for additional programs and peripherals. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/ .
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more program information or a list of Windows XP Ready PCs:
Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/ready/ .
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
PC Manufacturers Voice Their Support for Windows XP
And the Windows Ready PC Program
June 2001
“As a strong partner for over 15 years, Compaq has worked extraordinarily closely with Microsoft throughout the extensive development and beta test phase of Windows® XP. Compaq’s No. 1 goal is to promote its broad PC and portable support for Windows XP across its commercial and consumer product lineups via Microsoft’s Windows XP Ready Program and by ensuring that this breakthrough new operating system will be available to customers on Oct. 25.”
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Michael Larson
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Compaq Access Business Group
“
Dell has been fully committed to working closely with Microsoft on Windows XP throughout its development and beta testing phase. We frequently hear from our customers inquiring about when our desktop and notebook computers will be available with Windows XP. By designating our current desktop and notebook computers as Windows XP Ready, our customers can be confident that come Oct. 25, these systems will be ready to upgrade to Windows XP and deliver amazing new computing experiences.
“
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Jim Totton
Vice President of Software Client Product Group
Dell Computer Corp.
“
We are excited to offer our value-conscious PC consumers an enhanced level of usability, especially in the most popular applications, including digital imaging and music storage. eMachines has designed all its back-to-school PC products to include increased memory so they will be Windows XP Ready, and the company will offer consumers a coupon for an upgrade to Windows XP at the time of launch.
“
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Bob Davidson
Senior Vice President of Product Marketing
eMachines Inc.
“
Technology has allowed us to create more powerful systems, but at the same time, they’ve become more difficult to use. Windows XP delivers a powerful operating system packaged with ease of use and reliability. That is what today’s consumer wants.
“
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Andy Juang
President
Equus Computer Systems Inc.
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Mike Ritter
Vice President of Product Marketing
Gateway Inc.
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Andy Tallian
Vice President of Marketing, Consumer Business Organization
Hewlett-Packard Co.
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Paul Petersen
Vice President of Product Marketing and Development
MicronPC LLC
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Bob Anderson
Director of Marketing
Northgate Computers
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Robert Dooley
Vice President of Marketing
Systemax Inc.
Microsoft and Windows are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
