A lawsuit seeking class action status filed against Microsoft alleges that Microsoft unfairly labeled computers “Windows Vista Capable” when the computers could only run the most basic versions of the operating system.

Prior to the availability of Vista, Microsoft launched a marketing campaign that allowed PC makers to place a sticker on computers alerting potential buyers that they could upgrade to Vista when it became available. However, “a large number” of those PCs were only capable of running the Home Basic version of Vista, which lacks many of the features, such as media center and enhanced graphics, that Microsoft advertises as included in Vista, the suite alleges.

Many of the machines with the Vista label cannot run or poorly run Home Premium, the least expensive version of Vista that includes most of the heavily advertised features, the suit says.

“In sum, Microsoft engaged in bait and switch–assuring consumers they were purchasing ‘Vista Capable’ machines when, in fact, they could obtain only a stripped-down operating system lacking the functionality and features that Microsoft advertised as ‘Vista’,” the suit reads.

I think many of the PC makers that sold machines with these labels may share some of the blame too. Though Microsoft might have strong armed them into using the labels without much of a choice. This will be an interesting case to watch.

[Microsoft accused of using deceptive marketing to tout Vista]

[tags]Microsoft, Vista, Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Vista, Windows Vista Capable[/tags]