Synopsis – MS shipped Vista knowing it wasn’t ready and that it wouldn’t run with all it’s functionality on many machines. Notwithstanding this knowledge they stickered machines as being “Vista Capable”, knowing that they could only run Vista home basic which was a very cut down version of Vista, lacking significant functionality of the premium version.
A lawsuit has been given class-action status and a bunch of emails has been released between MS execs and board memebrs, clearly articulating the problem and the fact that the solution was one of obfuscation and subterfuge.
“In sum, Microsoft engaged in bait and switch — assuring consumers they were purchasing ‘Vista Capable’ machines when, in fact, they could obtain only a stripped-down operating system lacking the functionality and features that Microsoft advertised as ‘Vista,'” according to the suit, filed March 29.
