Microsoft extends Windows XP lifespan yet again

by Brad Linder Dec 22nd 2008

Windows XP is turning out to be the operating system that just won't die. Microsoft has stopped offering retail copies of the operating system.

The company had planned to tell computer makers to stop preloading the software on new notebook and desktop systems earlier this year. But Microsoft has issued several stays of execution so far -- and this week the company did it again. Windows XP was scheduled to go gently into that good night on January 31, 2009. But now computer makers are allowed to continue shipping machines with Windows XP through 2009.

While Windows Vista has been available for nearly 2 years, there's still a strong demand for Windows XP from customers who don't want to switch to the newer OS for one reason or another. Windows XP has also been given a bit of new life by low power netbooks like the Asus Eee PC which often have slower processors, less RAM, and less storage space than full sized computers, making it difficult to run Windows Vista on them.

[via Silicon Alley Insider]

Tags: windows-xp

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Todd said 6:25PM on 12-22-2008

File under "Notes from the Future"
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Microsoft extends Windows XP lifespan yet again
Redmond, Washington - December 2018

Microsoft announced today it will again extend is twenty year old operating system, Windows XP, for another year. Originally launched in 1998, XP has become the only profitable product for the once mighty Redmond Washington company aince it disastrous release of Windows Vista.

"After the total failures of Vista, Vista 2 SP9 and Vista 2012 we now only have a tiny 2% market share, we feel it best serves the few thousand people still using Windows to keep supporting it." said Microsoft CEO Jennifer Gates, daughter of company founder Bill Gates.

Former CEO Steve Ballmer could not be reached for comment at the Redmond Institute for the Insane, where he has been undergoing long term therapy.

jigglebling said 7:30AM on 12-23-2008

I'm so torn about this piece of news.

On the one hand, I love XP because it is the only Windows that just works.
(Took awhile, but at least it just works now).

On the other hand, I'm a web developer so I want Microsoft to force XP (IE 6-7) out.

Since this is my first comment, I'll just blurt the rest out:

Firefox eats RAM like it grows on trees, Firebug is the only reason I still use it. It's like a hot girlfriend who got fat but you stay together because you like the way she does laundry.

Apple sells overpriced hardware, Microsoft sells overpriced software. While they do dabble (Zune, OS X) and rarely excel (Xbox, Webkit), I always wonder which system they use in Heaven. If I can't right-click or hook up a Cinema display in the afterlife, it's no use dying.

Linux doesn't need TV spots, it needs to provide users with more information and drivers. It needs a site where an idiot (read: non-technically-inclined end-user) can configure it. Make me a page where I can include the latest some PDF readers, Instant Messengers, Image/Audio/Video viewer/editor/converters, HTTP/FTP/SQL/Email/VPN client&servers, P2P/Bittorrent clients, Windows emulators (for gaming), Office software, Text editors (programming), Screenshotters... Because I simply don't have the time to download them and their dependencies, and then learn to configure them. If someone puts all that on a single site and keeps it updated, along with comparisons of each choice, Linux is in business. Maybe if someone else made a site alongside with a searchable listing of stable drivers...

Android apps look bad, don't feel natural and since Android's late to the party, it won't attract any of the good app designers. Many devs figure people who pay more for a phone won't mind shelling out a couple of bucks for an app or two along with it. Android only attracts the hungry devs, and hungry devs don't think too clearly.

iPhone gets dirty really fast.

EEE PC is cool, if it could have Photoshop+Illustrator+WAMP, it'd be a gameboy for web devs. If it's ok with you Santa, I'd want it before going to visit Granny.

Social website is an oxymoron.

Can I write for DLS? Or do I have to mention 10 non-downloadable news in a week and make at least 3 spelling mistakes in my articles?

Let me know: dfattie@gmail.com
http://ouchfire.com

Jet said 9:53AM on 1-07-2009

*looks at jigglebling*

...

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