HP Offers Free Windows 2000 Upgrade on Select Notebook PCs

Strategic Insights -

HP has announced that it will offer a free Windows 2000 upgrade to customers who purchase certain notebook PCs. The upgrade is available on HP OmniBook notebook PCs installed with Windows NT Workstation 4.0. This announcement marks HP as the first notebook PC vendor to offer a free upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional. The upgrade will enable customers to transition smoothly to the new operating system when it becomes available. "HP is helping its customers achieve their business goals by offering quality notebook PCs that are compatible with tomorrow's technology today," said Hilary Glann, worldwide marketing manager for HP's Mobile Computing Division. "By enabling a smooth shift to Windows 2000 Professional, HP helps its customers concentrate on their businesses, not on the tools they use to do business."

Key Takeaways:

  • HP is the first notebook PC vendor to offer a free Windows 2000 upgrade on select notebook PCs.
  • The upgrade is available on HP OmniBook notebook PCs installed with Windows NT Workstation 4.0.
  • Customers who purchase HP OmniBook 4150 or 900 notebook PCs with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 will receive a coupon redeemable for a free upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional when the new operating system becomes available.
  • HP OmniBook notebook PCs are designed to optimize the features of Windows 2000 Professional, including enhanced plug-and-play and power-management solutions.
  • HP's participation in the Microsoft Windows 2000 READY PC Program further assures customers of the easiest upgrade path to Windows 2000 Professional.
  • HP OmniBook notebook PCs offer industry-leading manageability with HP TopTools, security and common docking solutions.
  • Microsoft Windows NT and HP's unparalleled service and support plans are available across the entire HP OmniBook notebook PC family.

Statistics:

  • HP's 1998 fiscal year computer-related revenue was $39.5 billion.
  • HP plans to launch a new company consisting of its industry-leading test-and-measurement, semiconductor products, chemical-analysis and medical businesses, which represented $7.6 billion of HP's total revenue in fiscal 1998.
  • HP has 123,000 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.
  • The free Windows 2000 upgrade has a $7 charge for shipping and handling.

Sources:

  • "HP OmniBook Notebook PCs Are Microsoft Windows 2000 READY," Aug. 16, 1999
  • Hewlett-Packard Company (http://www.hp.com)
  • Microsoft Corporation (http://www.microsoft.com)