I believe it is possible to partition the 500 GB drive into units of less than 400 GB and have it function on the older computer.

As for Dell. Sadly, they are no different than most companies which exist in a fast changing environment. A couple years ago I paid $400 in Best Buy for a full laptop with DVD/CD r/w drive, a couple of Gigs RAM, and 80 GB hard drive and Vista Home Premium. It has stood up for two years, I'm using it now. But ACeR has made a killing with units that have smaller memories, no DVD/CD drives, and are physically smaller much smaller/ cheaper LED/LCD screens, and fewer ports. They sell for $200/$300. They must have a substantially higher margin of profit on them, and tha's what sells. If the factory is not set up for those units and employs expensive labor, the decision is all but inevitable. If Winston-Salem has the number of lawyers I think it does, there should be some hefty penalties for moving out of the territory within a prescribed period of time, to help provide a softer landing for those who couldn't follow the jobs.