Microsoft's XO Laptop Strategy

gbulmash writes "Microsoft is spending a 'non-trivial' amount of money to get Windows XP working on the OLPC project's XO laptop. But why? Despite the conjecture that the Linux-based XO could convince millions of people in the developing world that they don't need Windows and build a huge base of developers for Linux, there still remains the question of how Microsoft would convince owners of XO laptops to buy and install Windows XP over the functional Linux-based OS already on it. It's doubtful that Microsoft could encourage or coerce Negroponte to put XP on the machine, so whose arms will they twist?"

Comments

Even giving it away isn't enough...

[Joce640k]

I has to be installed at the factory for no extra cost.

Even so, I don't see how it would benefit anybody:

a) Windows simply doesn't have the security models in place to not need a complete reinstall every month or so.

b) Windows isn't designed for eight year olds to use. The XO has an application model which matches the target users.

c) No "popular Windows apps" are going to fit in the XO's flash memory, Windows + a couple of bundled crapplets is going to be far less useful than XO's current software.

So ...what are they up to?

I think it's just that they must be seen to have a strategy - no matter what it turns out to be. They've assigned somebody to the job and are busy releasing empty press articles.

I only hope they don't cause actual harm to the project. The OOXML fiasco has clearly shown that Microsoft isn't above palm-greasing and the political systems in XO's target countries are an easy target for people with ready money.