Computing and Tech News You Can Use

Microsoft announced it will make the beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials, code-named Morro, available for download starting June 23. The free product represents Microsoft’s latest swing at the consumer security market, which is dominated by vendors such as Symantec and McAffee.

Windows 7 is scheduled for public release on October 22. However, Best Buy (and presumably its competitors) will launch a "Technology Guarantee" program on June 26, under which anyone who purchases a PC running Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate can install Windows 7 at no extra charge on and after Oct. 22. Best Buy also will launch pre-sales of Windows 7 on June 26, according to the memo.

XP users must wipe out the OS and do a fresh install of Windows 7 or install it on a separate bootable drive. I recommend waiting until Windows 7 PCs are available.

Microsoft has decided to extend its XP downgrade period by another year, now making XP still a valid path for new purchases for 18 months after the release of Windows 7 – or until the first service pack hits (a point at which many businesses consider it a stable upgrade).

Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate customers will have the option to downgrade to Windows XP Professional from PCs that ship within 18 months following the general availability of Windows 7 or until the release of a Windows 7 service pack, whichever is sooner, and if a service pack is developed.

The higher cost of Windows 7 may cause some netbook retailers to stay with Windows XP on their lower priced machines. Microsoft quoted a price of around $45-55 for the OEM netbook version of Windows 7. This is a fairly substantial increase over the $25-30 price being charged for its XP counterpart.While the difference in price may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, it could be a big deal in the highly competitive netbook industry, especially when netbooks with new operating systems such as Android are entering the market. Netbook vendors are continuing talks with Microsoft in hopes of lowering this price. I will keep you posted.