Windows XP systems ship now

From...

By Matt Berger

(IDG) -- More desktop and notebook computers sporting Microsoft Windows XP have hit the market, less than two weeks before the operating system is set for its official launch.

Low-cost PC maker EMachines and Sony have unveiled new PCs running the new OS, while Hewlett-Packard is touting a number of special features offered on its XP-powered machines. HP and Compaq first announced they would ship PCs with Microsoft's new operating system in September.

Also, EMachines is shipping its entire line of PCs preloaded with Windows XP operating system to retailers, the company says. Including rebates, EMachines' PCs start at $399, just $200 more than the price of a packaged version of Windows XP.

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The company will offer some extra features with its machines. EMachines says it has installed Windows XP on PCs in its help center to make use of the Remote Assistance feature in the new operating system. Remote Assistance enables users to hand over control of their desktops to remote users.

EMachines offerings

EMachines has made available the following PC configurations:

T1090 with a 900-MHz Intel Celeron processor, 128MB of SDRAM, a 20GB hard drive, 56K bits per second built-in fax/modem and 48X CD-ROM drive, priced at $399 after a $75 rebate.
T1100 with a 1-GHz Intel Celeron processor, 128MB of SDRAM, a 20GB hard drive, 56-kbps built-in fax/modem and 8X CD-RW (CD-rewritable) drive, priced at $499 after a $75 rebate.
T4150 with a 1.5GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 256MB of SDRAM, a 40GB hard drive, 56-kbps built-in fax/modem and 8X CD-RW drive and Ethernet card, priced at $699 after a $50 rebate.
T4155 with a 1.5-GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 256MB of SDRAM, 60GB hard drive, 56-kbps built-in fax/modem and 8X CD-RW/DVD (digital versatile disc) combo drive and Ethernet card, priced at $799 after a $50 rebate.

That manufacturer will also be one of the few offering Windows XP with a "clean desktop." The feature means that an EMachines computer running Windows XP will not display icons for third-party or Microsoft applications. Instead, all of the applications and folders will be confined to the Start menu.

Also shipping

Several other PC makers have announced deals with third-party application providers to include icons on the desktop. Compaq, for instance, has said it will include a desktop link to AOL Time Warner's Internet service. While encouraging PC makers to ship PCs with a clean desktop, Microsoft has said that if machines do ship with third-party icons they must also include a few from Microsoft.

Sony also unveiled a line of its Vaio computers and laptops loaded with Windows XP. The company is releasing a total of 36 desktop and notebook computers. Only select models will be immediately available in North America, Sony says.

Meanwhile, HP beefed up its Windows XP offerings Friday, pitching some added features it will offer to customers of its Windows XP products. The company says it will include its own photo editing software, as well as an application from Detto Technologies that allows users to easily transfer files and settings from an old PC to a new HP machine.