Microsoft unilateral downgrade of 'Vista Capable' specs upsets HP

Like an extended soap opera, additional information related to the ongoing "Vista Capable" class action lawsuit against Microsoft has surfaced. It appears that Microsoft made a commitment to HP back in 2005 that it will not loosen the requirements for its "Vista Capable" logo program. Even as HP put in significant investments to upgrade to newer PC graphics technology (in order to meet the specifications), internal miscommunication resulted in Microsoft agreeing to Intel's request to lower it. This is precisely what HP feared would happen. It was confirmed by an email from Jim Allchin, Microsoft's co-president of platform products and services, who angrily emailed Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on the mismanagement. Ballmer rejects all responsibility however, pointing to another Microsoft executive instead. Expect this lawsuit to dog Microsoft for years, even as it prepares to release Windows 7--the upgrade to Windows Vista.

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- check out this article from the Inquirer