Consumers purchasing Dell (News - Alert) and Microsoft products will find themselves philanthropists. The companies have partnered to provide customers with a simple way to contribute to the fight against AIDS in Africa when purchasing unique RED branded personal computers and a printer.

To ensure that consumers experience added-value in their purchase, all Dell PCs are powered by Windows Vista Ultimate RED. Dell is the exclusive partner for PCs and peripherals of RED.

These Dell RED products are now available at www.dell.com/joinred and at Best Buy stores throughout the United States by the end of the week. On January 31, they will also be available through Dell in nearly 30 additional countries.

Launched in 2006, RED is a brand designed to engage business and consumer power in the movement to eradicate AIDS from Africa. To this point, RED partners have contributed more than $5 million to the Global Fund based on the scale of RED products. The funds from this campaign are at work in Rwanda, Swaziland and Ghana.

When a RED branded Dell personal computer with Windows Vista Ultimate RED is purchased, Dell and Microsoft (News - Alert) will make a combined contribution of $50 to $80, depending on the PC purchased, to the Global Fund.

A Dell RED printer purchase generates a $5 Dell contribute. One hundred percent of the funds contributed go to Global Fund-finances grants in Africa.

To provide a picture of what these contributions can actually do, $80 generated by the choice of a Dell RED all-in-one PC with Windows Vista Ultimate RED is the equivalent of more than six months of life-saving antiretroviral treatment for an individual living with AIDS in Africa.
 


"The computer has revolutionized our lives; the (RED) Dell Microsoft partnership goes a step further with PCs which channel money to the Global Fund," said Bono, co-founder of (RED), in a Thursday statement.

 

"It's a truly beautiful idea - that the purchase of a stylish PC can put someone on lifesaving ARV treatment for six months."

Dell RED products include: XPS One RED; XPS M1330 RED; XPS M1530 RED; and the 948 All-in-One Printer RED;

"The RED campaign is making a tangible difference in the lives of people living with AIDS in Africa," said Michael Dell, Dell chairman and CEO, in Thursday’s statement.

 

"We've seen what computers can do for keeping people connected, but with (RED), the sale of these products will actually help keep people alive. We couldn't be more proud to be part of this initiative."

"The combination of Microsoft, (RED) and Dell means consumers can help in the fight against AIDS in Africa by buying a great Dell PC that comes loaded with the best version of Windows Vista, with each purchase funding up to six months of life-saving drugs for someone in Africa through the Global Fund," contributed Bill Gates (News - Alert), chairman of Microsoft, in Thursday’s statement.

 

"The (RED) business model is a powerful way for consumers to use their purchasing power to help bring about positive change in the world, and we are pleased to have Windows Vista Ultimate RED be an engine for that change."

This campaign is not only good public relations for both Dell and Microsoft, it also enables the consumer to feel like they are making a difference. These contributions really can fund a significant amount of treatment for an individual suffering with this disease. Considering the demand for PCs and Windows operating systems, this campaign is likely to make a tremendous difference in this fight.