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OLPC, Microsoft Working Toward Dual-Boot XO Laptops

Posted by timothy on from the what-about-vista-and-sugar-dual-boot dept.

Ian Lamont writes "The OLPC Project and Microsoft are developing a dual-boot system to put both Linux and Windows on the laptops, according to an interview with Nicholas Negroponte. The article is thin on details, as the OLPC/Microsoft talks are apparently at an early stage. Could this be the end of the OS wars in Nigeria and other developing countries?" While Microsoft has been working on an OLPC-capable version of Windows for some time now, the interesting thing here is the dual-booting provision, rather than forcing users into an either-or choice.

6 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. So how could MS lose with this scenario? by Kazoo+the+Clown · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft may figure that if the OLPC can boot to either OS that users may end up preferring Windows over Linux. And for most users they may very well be correct. In addition, they will be able to more easily show off areas where Windows excels in comparison with Linux.

  2. Dual-boot beta. by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Currently, the dual-boot beta system is an OLPC with a Dell XPS duct-taped to the back of it. To Boot Windows, you turn the thing over... A Microsoft spokes-droid stated that the beta solution only raises the cost "slightly", but won't give an exact figure.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  3. Re:Delusional by sm62704 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think I can decrypt that for you:

    Microsoft has embraced the open-source community over the past few years in a very different way than before

    My daughter's cats have embraced mice over the past few years in a very different way than before. Previously they would lay the dead mouse by my dining room chair, now they just eat the mouse.

    Don't forget Microsoft's mantra: Embrace, extend, extinguish. Much like my daughter's cats; mantra about mice.

    --
    mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
  4. I wonder what by aegl · · Score: 4, Funny

    the "SHOW SOURCE" key on the OLPC will do when Windows is running?

  5. Re:XO is the look on my face by professional_troll · · Score: 3, Funny

    Really? You shouldn't be able to feel anything, after all do you know how the name Micro-soft came from right?

    --
    Everyones a troll, I just have the balls to admit it!
  6. Re:XO is the look on my face by jordg · · Score: 3, Funny

    -- Microsoft has embraced the open-source community over the past few years in a very different way than before

    Get your hand off my ass!