Quote of the day:
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke

1. Editor's Note: Trading Up To Vista

Apparently, CompUSA has decided it's time you got serious about cleaning out your closets and is giving the packrats among us some incentive to let go of old computer equipment. Today, as part of its Vista announcements, the company revealed its Trade-Up Notebook Program.

Of course, the notebook needs to be working to qualify, but that appears to be the only hurdle to eligibility. Once you've plugged it in and got it running, pack it in the car and head to the nearest CompUSA. The company says that your notebook's value will be determined based on its condition, specifications, and age, and will be assessed by a Web-based tool provided by a certified technology recycling company. Barring a long line of other computer purgers, you should be able to accomplish this whole endeavor on your lunch hour and still have time to eat. In return for your "treasure," you'll get a store credit in the amount of the value of your notebook that you can then use toward the purchase of a Windows Vista PC.

What if you aren't ready to part ways with your aging notebook—but aren't sure Vista will run on it? There's help for that, too. The retailer is offering a free evaluation service that will help you determine your next step.

The programs are clever in terms of marketing strategy: Often, people don't upgrade because they don't want to get stuck with incompatible software for old hardware. This attacks the problem on two fronts: First, it verifies for consumers they can use Vista on their machines. Second, if their PCs cannot use the software for compatibility reasons, the retailer gives them an attractive offer to upgrade both hardware and, consequently, software. Clearly, CompUSA has taken a "No excuses!" stance on upgrading to Vista.

But just because you can upgrade, does that mean you should? If you are one of those trading in a notebook that is in its death throes, then check out a MacBook before writing a check to Microsoft again. One reviewer found Mac OS X is still a champ on many fronts. However, another noted it's unfair to turn the differences between the two into a virtual horserace, adding that both have compelling buying propositions.

Whichever way you go, you're bound to be happier with a machine that runs efficiently and isn't just staring at you every time you open that closet door.

Jennifer Bosavage
jbosavage@cmp.com
www.informationweek.com