Sony?s Windows Vista Upgrade Program

Starting today end users that purchase a Vista Capable Windows VAIO PC are eligible for a free upgrade to the Windows Vista operating system when it becomes available next year.

Sony End User Vista Upgrade Registration Website: End user site to register with Sony to obtain free Upgrade CD:
www.sony.com/vaiovista

Notebooks with stickers indicating that they are “Vista Capable” or “Vista Premium Ready” should be eligible for this promotion.

 

US Only!

 

Does this offer only apply if you buy a VAIO from sonystyle.com, or can you buy a VAIO at a regular retail store such as Best Buy or Circuit City and still get the free express upgrade to Vista from Sony?

 

As long as it is purchased form an authorized dealer.

 

so if u purchased it before today you are not eligible??! That is terrible i got my SZ360 like a week ago!!

 

"For Sony VAIO PC Windows XP units purchased before October 26th 2006, Sony will provide a complimentary DVD kit to upgrade applications, utilities and drivers ($9.95 Shipping and Handling not included). Contact your local retailer for a full copy of Windows Vista operating system."

So it sounds like those of us who purchased the SZ series from February 2006 through October 26, 2006 will need to buy the upgrade version of Windows Vista. At least it appears that Sony will support the upgrade to Vista by providing the updated drivers and utilities on a DVD. I had feared that those of us who are early adopters might be stuck with XP.

 

Yeah but it still means that you have to BUY the upgrade, you're not getting it free..? I got my FE series also pretty much last week. There's a sticker that says "Vista Premium Ready" though, according to the text above that should mean something?

 

Now I regret buying from Sonystyle Canada

Should of just get it from P1.

 

My order was through yesterday (oct. 25), can't believe I am not eligible for this offer!

 

I am going to return my not-yet-delivered sz360 and purchase it again.

 

Can't believe sony comes up with this stupid idea.

 

If this applies to Canada, I am returning it too.

I got it Oct 23

 

Can you return used/opened laptops? What's the policy?

-slightly pissed-

 

Whats so stupid about this idea? I guess it isnt stupid if the date was before your purchase?

 

Let's see, I bought SZ360 on Oct. 25 and somebody else bought it on Oct. 26. Same machine, same price, same store, he gets free upgrade offer but I don't. I am punished by Sony because I am more eager to buy their products, isn't this policy stupid?

A non-stupid policy will be to offer free upgrade to some models (premium models, for example), regardless of the date of purchase (they are all new anyway). Then you will get the normal "you get what you pay for" feeling, don't you think?

 

I'd still be pissed if they only offered it for premium models too. Seems like the only fair thing to do is:

1 - Set a cutoff date and stick to it, like they have or;
2 - Offer this program to all computers SOLD with the label "Vista Ready"; if your computer was purchased saying it was vista ready, you'd be eligible.

Drawing any kind of other lines amounts to favoritism. I'm disappointed that I didn't make the cut-off (I bought my SZ last month). My guinea pig also died last night.

Bad week!

 

DOn't blame Sony for this. The upgrade comes from Microsoft and they set the rules. Its the same for all computer makers.

 

This is not a Sony thing at all. Every manufacturer is putting their customers in the same boat, and so everyone, reguardless of what kind of machine (HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, or Sony) who bought on the 25th, is screwed. Blame Microsoft. They wouldn't let any dealers or manufacturers talk about it until yesterday because who want's to loose sales because people hold off.

 

Stupid Microsoft.

We are all Sony fans, we shouldn't blame Sony lol ...

 

Hey geys, why are you so eager on the vista? By the time vista's basic bugs are fixed our SZ's will be pretty much dead anyway Just to get new interface features? No thank you!
My second PC is still running w2k because I really didn't find any reason to upgrade it to XP....

 

Well I just pick up my SZ360 today.

The Sony sales call me today and I express my concerns about Oct 26 2006 Window Vista upgrade problem. She kindly help me change the receipt to Oct 27 2006 on the computer. The people at Sony Store were award of Microsoft "evil plans" and kindly help their customers out!

I guess buying from Sony Store wasn't such a bad idea.

W00t, free upgrade!

 

You sound like a fella that purchased the FX60 cpu from AMD, and the next day, AMD annouce massive price drops across all of their cpus to combat Intels Core cpus. Hahahaha...thats life, tuff titties mate. ROFL!!!

 

Good for you, Ch28Kid! That was pretty decent of them to do that for you.

 

Cool, Ch28Kid. Maybe I should do that too.

 

if i got my FE before October am I eligible for anything?
I do have a Windows Vista Capable sticker...

do i get a free upgrade or what????

 

Unless you can hagle with Sony on that (easier said than done), I don't think so. You are enttiled to some disk though at least containing drivers/files to help you update to VISTA ($10 shipping charge).

When they go on to say "Contact your local retailer for a full copy of Windows Vista operating system." That's their way of saying we're not going to pay for your Vista.

 

Does this mean that the free upgrade program is also available to Cdn buyers?

They won't change my receipt date since it affects the start date for the warranty.

 

It would appear so. I called the Sony Store where I bought my TX850 two weeks ago and my sales person changed the date of the purchase (return/re-sell) without issue. He indicated that the Vista program is pretty much across the board, not just Sony. Look at what FutureShop has been pushing the last few days regarding Vista.

Luck of the draw if your Sony Store doesn't feel like providing good customer service.

 

I guess I must be really lucky!

 

Sorry to hear that, elizabex!