Vista Launch: No midnight madness for UK Vista launch?

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Vista may be Microsoft's first new operating system in five years, but it doesn't look set to cause midnight line-ups seen at the XP and Windows 95 launches.

Two months after the business edition was released, the consumer version is set to go on sale at midnight - although finding a place to buy it at that time may be tricky. Few shops appear to be staying open late, but retailers on technology hub Tottenham Court Road in London will be opening their doors at the crack of dawn for eager early morning shoppers.

Micro Anvika's shop at 245 Tottenham Court Road will be opening at 6am. As well, the retailer has been taking pre-orders for delivery on January 30.

PC World is opening its flagship Tottenham Court Road location at 6am - three hours earlier than normal operating hours - and ensuring some turnout by giving free copies of the Home Premium Edition to the first ten customers in line.

Bryan Magrath, PC World's commercial director, said: "We're very excited about this launch, which is a major milestone in the technology industry. Microsoft's new operating system will have a huge impact on the PC market for years to come."

Anyone who simply can't wait until 6am can head to Tesco. The mass retailer will be selling a new range of Vista-loaded PCs and laptops from 27 locations of their 24-hour Tesco Extra stores, but will save their promotional events and demonstrations until the following weekend.

Most other computer retailers, including Staples and Comet, appear to be sticking to their regular hours.

Microsoft itself will start selling the new operating system online after midnight. Other online retailers, such as Amazon.co.uk and Dell, have been selling pre-orders of Vista and Vista-loaded computers for months.

The so far muted response in the UK contrasts with the events planned on the other side of the Atlantic. Several US stores, including BestBuy, CompUSA and Circuit City, will have locations past midnight. Among other events, Microsoft is planning a massive digital advertising display and a 16-person "human billboard" in New York's Time Square to celebrate the launch.

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