Amazon.com Offers a Peek at Windows XP Prices

Online retailer Amazon.com offered users a sneak peek at the prices for Microsoft's upcoming Windows XP operating system on Thursday.

For the second time in just over a month, Amazon.com offered customers a chance to preorder the operating system ahead of the software maker's official release.

The company listed Microsoft Windows XP Professional for sale on its Web site at $299 for the full version, with an upgrade price of $199.

And, for the second time in just over a month, Amazon.com pulled the product listing from its site. In July, Amazon.com offered a similar glimpse at the product's pricing before abruptly pulling the information from its Web site.

At that time, a spokesperson said the online giant had "made a mistake" by taking orders too far in advance of Microsoft's planned October 25 launch date.

Customers could once again preorder Windows XP on Thursday morning, but by the afternoon the online retailer had yanked the product from its site.

"That was a mistake and we've removed it," says Bill Curry, an Amazon.com spokesperson.

In July, Amazon.com listed the Professional version at the same price of $299. It also listed the Home Edition of Windows XP at $199.99 for the full version and $99.99 for an upgrade. The Home version wasn't made available this time around.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is expected to provide PC makers with the final code for the operating system on Friday during an event at the company's Redmond, Washington headquarters, according to several major PC makers who will take part in the release.

Many of those vendors, including Compaq Computer and IBM, will begin shipping Windows XP computers through their direct channels in late September, ahead of the official launch on October 25.