With Windows XP officially being canned yesterday for most OEM configurations, Dell is instead rolling out a Windows Vista Bonus promotion for channel partners. The bonus? A preinstalled copy of Windows XP operating under a valid Vista product license for select systems.

Dell's stance of not just offering Windows XP directly but actively telling its huge ecosystem of resellers how they, too, can game Microsoft's system and continue selling Windows XP demonstrates a significant shift in the OEM's relationship with Microsoft. With chief software architect Bill Gates' departure fresh in the air, it should be remembered how, under Gates' tenure last decade as chief executive, Microsoft exploited its position as supplier of a popular PC operating system to play hardball with PC OEMs on licensing Windows.

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