Two weeks after a class-action lawsuit alleged that Microsoft engaged in deceptive practices by allowing PC makers to label their computers as “Vista Capable”, even if the machines weren’t able to run Vista’s “signature” features, Microsoft has redefined the meaning of “Vista Capable”.

According to the Seattle Times (all bold emphasis added by author), Microsoft originally described its Windows Vista Capable program as the following:

“Through the Windows Vista Capable program, Windows XP-based PCs that are powerful enough to run Windows Vista are now available from leading PC manufacturers worldwide, including Acer Inc., Dell Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Gateway Inc., HP, Lenovo, NEC Corp., Sony Corp., Toshiba and more. The Windows Vista Capable logo is designed to assure customers that the PCs they buy today will be ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista and can run the core experiences of Windows Vista.”

The core experiences in the above definition have been shifted to a minimum (Seattle Times author highlighted what looks like the company’s defense) in the new language of Microsoft below:

“A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista — like the new Windows Aero user experience — may require advanced or additional hardware.”

Earlier, in response to the lawsuit, Linda Norman, a Microsoft associate general counsel said “We feel as a company we went beyond what we’ve ever done to try to educate people so that they understood and could make the right purchase decision.” The company “conducted a very broad and unprecedented effort” to help PC makers, retailers and consumers “understand the hardware requirements to run the various flavors of the Windows Vista operating system,” said Norman.

It appears that the threat of a lawsuit may have encouraged Microsoft to redefine the meaning of the Vista Capable tag to help reduce any persisting confusion.

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Related:

Vista capable logo lawsuit goes forward

“Vista capable” lawsuit seeks class-action status

‘Windows Vista capable’ lawsuit gets trial date

Microsoft contests grounds of class-action status in “Vista-capable” lawsuit

Jim Allchin subpoenaed in "Vista Capable" lawsuit

Entry was posted on Monday, April 9th, 2007 at 8:30 pm under Vista.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Ruben Francia.