"Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computer and IBM are among the PC manufacturers that will be offering PCs, notebooks and servers before Feb. 17, the official launch date for Windows 2000."
news.cnet.com.
Windows 2000 systems to debut three weeks early
By Joe Wilcox
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
January 14, 2000, 1:35 p.m. PT
update Major PC makers will begin selling Windows 2000 systems on Jan. 24,
nearly three weeks before Microsoft formally unveils the new operating
system.
Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computer and IBM are among the PC
manufacturers that will be offering PCs, notebooks and servers before Feb.
17, the official launch date for Windows 2000.
After several delays, the software giant recently completed writing, testing
and revising the code for the operating system, widely thought to be the most
important software development project in the company's history. Windows 2000
will also be the centerpiece of Microsoft's overall strategy going forward,
designed to power, enhance and augment all of the company's other software
and Internet offerings.
Top Microsoft executives have been lauding the new OS for some time. Last
year, Steve Ballmer--who was handed the CEO job yesterday--said: "Windows
2000 is the most important product we've done since Windows 95. We have great
hope for the product for the business user--it's spot on."
While PC manufacturers can begin selling Windows 2000 systems and advertising
them on their Web sites, they are restricted by Microsoft from otherwise
promoting them--including briefing the press, said one industry source.
A Microsoft representative confirmed that some PC makers would be selling
Windows 2000 systems before the operating system's official unveiling. "It's
a way of filling the channel, so that things are ready for Feb. 17," the
representative said.
Those people looking to buy retail copies of Windows 2000 will have to wait
until mid February, the representative added. The only way to get the
operating system before then is by purchasing a new PC with it preloaded.
Microsoft is adopting a new pricing scheme for those that buy boxed copies or
Windows 2000 licenses. The desktop version, Windows 2000 Professional, will
sell for an estimated retail price of $319, the same as it is for Windows NT
4 Workstation. The upgrade price from Windows NT is $149 and $219 from
Windows 95 or 98.
The five-user upgrade version of Windows 2000 server will cost $499, or $999
for the full retail version. A 10-user version will go for $1,199, or $599 as
an upgrade from Windows NT or Novell NetWare.
PC makers in the past have typically waited for Microsoft's official product
announcement before shipping new systems. But the change is not surprising,
said International Data Corp. analyst Roger Kay.
"There is one justification for it, which is that you want the channel to be
full of product before the launch date," Kay said. Microsoft is betting big
on Windows 2000 and having systems out there before the launch party could
help build excitement, he said.
Microsoft released Windows 2000 code to PC makers on Dec. 15. It typically
takes about six weeks of testing before PC manufacturers are ready to ship
systems with a new operating system.
Despite the early release, Microsoft is pulling out all the stops for the
official launch event, Windows 2000 Conference & Expo, which runs from Feb.
15-17 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
Dell chief executive Michael Dell will deliver the opening address while
Compaq CEO Michael Capellas will have the keynote address. Microsoft chairman
Bill Gates will give the Windows 2000 launch address.
Microsoft is targeting Windows 2000 mainly at businesses and a successor to
Windows 98, code-named Millennium, to consumers.
At a press conference yesterday, when he stepped down as CEO, Gates spoke
about upcoming consumer versions and the addition of emerging technologies
such as digital music and digital photography.
Gates said, "We're building a lot of things into an update to Windows coming
out this next year, and then there will be another consumer update the year
after that."
Windows 2000 adds features long available on Windows 9x, such as USB,
FireWire and DVD and offers simpler system and network management than
Windows NT.
Compaq is set to begin selling its long-awaited iPaq on Jan. 24, ahead of the
Windows 2000 launch. One version of the iPaq runs the new OS.
IBM will unveil a new ThinkPad 600 notebook with Windows 2000 and update
other models in the weeks following. Big Blue will also start selling PC300
GL, PC300 GL small-business series and PC300 PL desktop models with Windows
2000, as well as the IntelliStation E Pro and M Pro workstations.
HP is expected to begin selling OmniBook 4150 and OmniBook 900 notebooks with
Windows 2000 on Jan. 24, but most desktops won't get the new operating system
until February.
Gateway systems shipping on Jan. 24 with Windows 2000 include the E-Series
1400 and 4200 desktops and the Solo 2150, 2550 and 9300 portables. |
