Microsoft is considering issuing Windows Vista upgrade coupons with new PC purchases starting in October. 

The coupons would offer a free copy of Vista once it is released to consumers buying a new system in the months prior to the platform's launch.

The measure is intended to prevent a slowdown in PC sales in the months immediately before the Vista launch. Consumers typically delay new computer purchases in anticipation of major operating system revisions.

Ray Chen, president of Taiwanese notebook maker Compal Electronics, confirmed the coupon offer in a meeting with financial analysts last week, according to Taiwanese publication Digitimes which reported that the offer would start in October. 

A spokesman for Microsoft confirmed to vnunet.com that the company is talking to partners about an upgrade offer, but said that no decision has been made yet.

The Digitimes report claimed that Microsoft wants to keep the offer under wraps because it could lead to a slowdown of PC sales in the weeks before it becomes effective.