As I ran through the blizzard to the mailbox to check whether any huge checks were in the mail that could allow me to vacation in a warmer climate, I was only disappointed as more bills were delivered.  The disappointment was only short lived as I chucked the invoices into the pay attention later pile and tore open a few of the cool junk mailings.  No, I don’t mean the checks you can order with Elmo on them, but junk mail like gadget catalogs! 

Hewlett Packard didn’t wait too long before Microsoft’s  new launch of the Vista system.  Right there on the cover is:

INTRODUCING, Windows Vista  Experience the breakthrough operating system that puts everything at your fingertips.  Included on every PC in this catalog!

Talk about your leap of faith.  I’m glad that the people at HP were so sure that Vista would be a hit, not that Microsoft would unleash a system that didn’t work.  Then I began to think about all of the stock that HP must have with other operating systems already loaded on them.  My wife was actually endorsing the idea of going to my local electronics store and price some of the stock they have now that they will be blowing out that do not have Vista on them.  I quickly checked for fever.  So far only Circuit City is on this wagon and others like Office Depot and Best Buy have yet to join.

My partner Tris, the technical ramrod of the group, was on the horn with me the day that Vista was launched, and I allowed the purchase of Vista instead of looking over at the "bills to pay" pile.  I look forward to his complete review of the system.    For those people looking to be paid this month, read Tris’ exciting and in depth look at Windows Vista!

[Disclosure:  I have family that works at HP. Maybe I can work my way into getting a statement!  Hey Scoble, where’s my 40 minute video of HP getting in bed with Microsoft?  What do they do with all those cool toys with old systems?]

Tags: HP, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Vista, Circuit City, Office Depot, Best Buy, Computer Equipment, Gadgets,  Robert Scoble