Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Windows XP-64 Delayed Into 2005

Posted by simoniker on from the better-late-than-ever dept.

vincecate writes "Although Windows XP on AMD64 was demoed at ComDex in 2002, Microsoft is now delaying the release till the first half of 2005. Given Microsoft's history on this product, it could be even more than a year before it is really released. At least one person at Intel says they did not ask Microsoft to delay the release. In any case, for the near future if you want to run a 64 bit operating system you will either be using one of the free Linux versions or the free download of Windows XP-64 beta. Though Sun started well after Microsoft, they are progressing well on their Solaris port to AMD64 and could well release earlier."

2 of 323 comments (clear)

  1. Re:forgot one OS... by Deviate_X · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Except that OS X is not a 64 bit OS. It has a few hacks to enable some extended 64 bit memory addressing...

  2. Conspiracy Theory by bokmann · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Being slashdot, I feel obliged to offer the most like conspiracy theory (the one I believe, anyway)...

    AMD has their 64 bit chips out. Rorking. Running. Here NOW.

    Intel does not. They changed course a few months ago... they were originally going to have 64 bit chips that were not backwards compatible with x86, following AMDs lead (They put their own market-speak on it, but yes, they are following AMD's lead in this area. more info.

    So, Intel has to catch up. Intel are Microsoft are pretty buddy-buddy, being two halves of the Wintel hegemony.

    Intel figures out that if Windows releases a 64 bit version before their chip is out, they will LOSE MARKET SHARE to AMD. They can't let that happen.

    A few phone calls later, and Microsoft delays. Hell, they could use the time anyway to fix bugs, but its not like they wouldn't release it with those bugs anyway... The primary reason for the delay is to preserve intel's market share and screw AMD.