Come June, computer makers are supposed to stop offering Windows XP on prebuilt systems. Microsoft will continue to support the operating system for a while, but the goal is to phase XP out and phase Vista in. But Microsoft has already extended XP's lifetime due to widespread concerns over Windows Vista. CNet has an interesting article suggesting that Microsoft could give Windows XP another extension. Why? Because of the Eee PC, XO Laptop, Everex Cloudbook, and other low cost ultraportable laptop computers. Hundreds of thousands of these low cost notebooks have been sold over the past few months, and millions could be sold by the end of the year.
Right now, many of these computers are running Linux because it's cheap and it functions well on slower computers with tiny amounts of storage. There's no way you could cram Windows Vista onto most of these machines. But if Microsoft wants to avoid a world where computer users start to think of Linux as a viable alternative to Windows, the company needs to provide software that will run on these machines. And Windows XP fits the bill. Asus already ships a Windows driver disc with the Eee PC, and plans to release a model preloaded with Windows XP in the next few months. But what happens if Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows XP just as computer makers start to ramp up production of machines that are incapable of running Vista?
So the more we think about it, the more we agree with CNet. Either Microsoft will extend the life cycle for Windows XP again, or it will release a custom build of Windows 7 optimized for devices with slow processors, 512MB of RAM or less, and 2GB of storage. Something tells us Microsoft's going to go with option A.ee
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-25-2008 @ 7:17PM
Gardiner Westbound said...
There are millions of functional older computers that struggle to run XP and lack the horsepower for Vista. Priced right Microsoft could jerk the rug from under Linux' developing user base with a Windows 7 optimized for slow processors, 512MB of RAM or less, and 2GB of storage.
It has to come much sooner than 2010 to capture the potential market. Owners are experimenting with Linux now and many like what the see! Mandriva Linux One bristles with competent applications, installs easier and quicker than Windows, automatically transfers settings and data, and has a similar interface.
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3-25-2008 @ 8:20PM
GoOrange said...
I think it's more likely that MS will create a new light version of Windows 7. The light version will be custom built to run on low-powered computers. Also, MS would rather have you buy a brand new version of Windows than use an old one.
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3-25-2008 @ 9:22PM
Franklin said...
I don't mean to troll, but given the state of Microsoft's current corporate culture (as led by that jock punk Balmer), can you really imagine the company producing a slimmed down yet powerful variant of Windows 7 for notebooks and ultraportables, and to compensate for public demand for XP? I just can't see it happening, unless the entire company changes personnel from the top down.
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3-25-2008 @ 9:52PM
Philip said...
if windows 7 is far more optamised for sub $500 computers
built in 2005 then ill actuly make the switch....
2 things that stop me from going to vista...
1 i have 512 Mb of mem and vista cases nearly all my ram
makeing it hard to run new apps for the first time -.-
2 i got screwed by intel with the 915 grafix that cannot support glass effects...
if 7 gives this pos glass effects then ide be happy and if it ran like xp at the same time i woud worship ms for ever and never touch linux...
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3-27-2008 @ 7:08AM
Andrew said...
I really don't see the appeal and fascination with the Aero Glass effect that Vista provides. It was pretty cool at first, but got confusing after a little while, and I ultimately found myself disabling it. Unneeded eye candy at it's finest, I personally believe.