Make haste to take advantage of Vista loophole

Internet retailers are offering consumers a cheap option when upgrading to Microsoft's next-generation operating system, Vista.

Several sites are selling 'OEM' copies of the company's current operating system, Windows XP, and at the moment such copies are being supplied with vouchers for cut-price upgrades to Windows Vista.

The packs will cost users up to £105 including a full copy of Windows XP and the upgrade to Vista, while the official Windows Vista Upgrade is likely to cost £149.99, although Microsoft has refused to confirm that price.

The special upgrade pack is designed for OEM vendors - companies who are building PCs for sale to customers. It allows them to install Windows XP but give new buyers an automatic upgrade to the forthcoming operating system.

It's designed to stop potential computer buyers from holding off buying a new system until Vista is released.

However, the OEM packs, complete with vouchers, are available on the sites of several internet retailers including Amazon, Misco and Dabs. At Dabs, Windows XP Professional costs £93.99, while the Media Center Edition costs £79.99.

Both come with vouchers, which will provide Vista for the cost of postage, when it is released on January 30. This is likely to be around £11.

Microsoft was unavailable when contacted to comment about the price differences.

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