It’s probably not enough of a selling point to make buyers out of the operating system’s critics, but Microsoft will start selling boxed copies of Windows Vista in a Product Red edition. Starting later this month, customers will be able to purchase Windows Vista Ultimate in a version that offers some proceeds to Product Red, a charity that works to fight AIDS in Africa. The Windows version is not entirely new, having been sold on several models of Dell PCs since early this year. In addition to providing some cash to the AIDS charity, the Red version of Vista also includes some specially themed wallpaper and sidebar gadgets.
Last month, Microsoft also launched RedWire, an online music venture benefiting the Product Red effort. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was an early backer of the Red effort, but it took a while for the software company to join it. It was beaten to the punch by Apple, which has offered a Product Red iPod Nano for several generations. Red is not the first special color in which Vista has come. In Japan, Microsoft sold a pink-boxed bundle of Vista and Office. Amazon currently have the full Vista PRODUCT (RED) edition up for pre-order, for $219.95; that’s $70 more than they’re retailing the standard, Vista Utimate version. However those eligible for Microsoft’s US student-edition can get the PRODUCT (RED) upgrade for $64.95.
