So what if it's July? Christmas is just around the corner for Microsoft, and with the end of 2007, the company is hoping to drive even further the adoption of Vista. Thanks to the numerous and repeated delays of the operating system, followed by the November 30, 2006, business launch and the January 30, 2007, general release, Microsoft managed to lose the sales advantage provided by the past year's holiday gift season. But not in 2007! Microsoft has armed itself with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and it is getting ready for the shopping frenzy in November - December 2007 all the way from July.

"The holidays may be months away, but holiday spending brings out the expressive, the extravagant -- and the exceptional. In preparation, Microsoft and computer hardware makers have been hard at work creating PCs that cater to the whim of givers and receivers alike. With Windows Vista, there are laptops for style mavens, gamers and lovers of all media. A person's computer is often a statement about who they are, and they can rest assured that their computer will be well equipped, regardless of their choice. Since the release of Windows Vista earlier this year, several companies have created PCs loaded with new mobility and multimedia capabilities," Microsoft revealed.

In the adjacent images, you can see the line-up of laptops that Microsoft is recommending in combination with Windows Vista. The Redmond company has even dropped the Wow altogether and is going for the "Be You" slogan instead. To this, Microsoft added "Be Memorable, Be Inspired, Be Connected, Be Dynamic, Be Daring." Asus Lamborghini VX2, Dell XPS M1330, Dell Inspiron 1720, HP tx1000, Sony Vaio CR, Sony VGC-LS37E, Toshiba R500 Protégé are the machines that Microsoft strongly recommends as Christmas gifts. The fact that the summer of 2007 is yet to fade into memory seems to have had little impact on the Redmond company's preparations for Santa.

"Windows Photo Gallery is designed to let users easily access all their photos and videos in one centralized place. Synchronizing content and personal information between computers and devices is also much easier; with Windows Mobility Center, Windows Sync Center and Windows Network and Sharing Center, users can ensure that content on their desktop, laptop, and Smartphone - or other mobile device - is consistent and up to date. Coupled with these enhancements is the Windows Vista design aesthetic, which ushers in a new look and feel for the computing experience. So whatever a person's passion, desktops and laptops loaded with Windows Vista are designed to grant users access to their photos, videos, appointment calendars - and most anything else they need - to live life unfettered and with style," Microsoft added.