Before you run out and get those Vista upgrade coupons for a new PC, let the buyer beware. Its good to stop and consider what you are getting into. You only have 1 transfer window for your licence.

Here’s a post about Vista upgrades from PC Magazine, via Yahoo. It lists your upgrade options and what it will cost you when you buy from various manufacturers. Here are some small quotes, more info is available in the article.

Acer: Any Acer Windows Vista Capable or Windows Vista Premium Ready PC bought between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007 includes an Express Upgrade to Windows Vista option, automatically. Redemption must be completed by March 31. Users can check to see if their PC qualifies under the offer by clicking here.

Dell: Spokesman Bob Kaufman told eWEEK that while the company plans to charge $45 plus shipping and handling to move from Windows XP Home to Vista Basic, the upgrade from Windows XP Media Center Edition to Vista Premium and from Windows XP Pro to Vista Premium will only incur a shipping and handling fee.

Gateway: A Gateway spokesperson reported that all eMachines and Gateway PCs were eligible for a free upgrade to Windows Vista, starting Oct. 26.

HP: North American consumers who buy a new HP Pavilion or Compaq Presario desktop or notebook PC, or HP Digital Entertainment Center, with a qualifying Windows XP operating system that is designated “Windows Vista Capable” between Oct. 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007 will be eligible for a free upgrade to Vista. Customers should visit HP’s web site to request their upgrade. Proof of purchase will be required.

Lenovo: Lenovo’s Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Program will allow customers who purchase a Lenovo Vista Capable or Vista Premium Ready PC between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007 to receive a license and copy of the Windows Vista operating system when Microsoft places it on the market in early 2007. (The PC must carry the “Vista Ready” logo above, and consumers should be ready to supply a proof of purchase.) Customers must redeem the offer by March 30, 2007.

Toshiba: To qualify for the program, users need to have purchased a notebook PC pre-installed with “qualifying” Microsoft Windows XP software between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007. While Toshiba has made a Web site available to facilitate the Windows Vista upgrade transition, it was not working as of Oct. 26. What or if Toshiba will charge for an upgrade, or what format it will arrive in, was not known at press time.