Your hardware lock would negate the advantage of the embedded SIM design. The reason for embedded SIM is that you can remotely change the carrier, phone#, etc. without having to physically access the device. This is intended for use in devices such as cars, machinery, etc. It is not intended for use in your phone (most people here seem to have missed that little detail). If you have to physically access the device to flip a hardware lock, you might as well just use a regular SIM.

Listen. Don't talk.

There are lots of anecdotal stories floating around and being touted as "evidence" for and against ACA.
FWIT, my personal experience is that for my family, I can get better insurance (better list of doctors and hospitals, lower deductibles, lower cost) under ACA than I had before under my old policy which was cancelled because it was not ACA compliant. YMMV
It will take at least a few months to get the actual results sorted out.
A lot of the people who had very cheap insurance which was cancelled had "hospital gown" policies (which means that their ass wasn't covered). Others could prove that they were "healthy" and could show that they didn't need insurance.
The big win is for people who couldn't get insurance or who had very expensive policies. They will be able to get affordable insurance under ACA since the scumbag insurance companies can't refuse to insure them. Also, a lot of people who have very low income and couldn't afford insurance can now get subsidies and can buy insurance... a big win for them.

So... blame your cheapass company for dropping your insurance coverage.
They didn't have to buy you a "cadillac" policy... they could have bought you a regular policy but they are using the "blame it on Obamacare" excuse for screwing you.

Even in the summer?

Second the tablet option.
My 90 yo Mom got a tablet last year and couldn't be happier. Gave away her computer to a local student.
No problems with the tablet. It just works. She can email, Instagram, Facebook, G+, etc.
I know the question specified "wants to stay with Vista and MS Office" but people who ask questions like that never get a good answer.
Sticking with Vista and MS Office is the worst thing anyone could do.

In the pursuit of profits, organizations quickly learn that it is best to have government on your side. This includes bailouts, regulatory capture, contracts, etc. We are well on our way to this in the US. Some would label it Fascism.

One would think that "energy needs will keep growing fast enough to keep all providers happy" but there is the greed factor where the established industries don't want any competition any time for any thing. They want the entire market to themselves. They will work to crush and destroy any competition (real or perceived). This is capitalism. I want it all to myself. Screw everyone else (and the environment while we're at it).

Customer ordered one thing, company sent another thing and is now threatening them with legal action and fines... sounds scummy to me.
The company should just admit they made a mistake and politely request a return... however, if the customer doesn't want to return it, they don't have to. Company made a mistake and is now acting scummy. Company made a mistake and it will cost them... consequences.
People are always saying the consumers need to be responsible and suffer consequences... this should apply to companies also.