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No Dual-Boot XO Laptop, According to Microsoft

Posted by Soulskill on from the bringing-bsods-to-the-third-world dept.

Yesterday, we discussed reports of Microsoft and the OLPC project working towards a dual-boot version of the XO laptop. Now, BetaNews tells us that Microsoft has issued statements denying such plans. The software giant has also reaffirmed their intention to develop a Windows-only version of the laptop. Microsoft's statement to BetaNews had this to say: "While we have investigated the possibility in the past, Microsoft is not developing dual-boot Windows XP support for the One Laptop Per Child's XO laptop. As we announced in December, Microsoft plans to publish formal design guidelines early this year that will assist flash-based device manufacturers in designing machines that enable a high-quality Windows experience. Our current goal remains to provide a high-quality Windows experience on the XO device."

4 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Not Surprising by NothingMore · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Doesnt surprise me that Microsoft doesnt want a competitor on the same machine in an Emerging market. I am really curious about this "high quality windows experience" though.....

  2. Not Windows desktop...hopefully something on top by Killer+Eye · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I can only hope they plan to redefine the interface on top of the Windows core (e.g. like they do in ATMs), because the default Windows interface would be absolutely terrible for a laptop given to a child.

    So would any windowing interface, which is why OLPC spent so much time developing an alternative interface that is decent for education.

    Let's see what Microsoft puts on top of Windows...let's see if they actually care about children and what is best for education. If this laptop boots into the standard Windows desktop, I'll assume they have no clue about what is good for a child and are just in it to preserve their monopoly.

    --
    "Microsoft killed my company, I hold a personal grudge. I don't use Microsoft products and neither should you."-JWZ
  3. Actualluy by s4ltyd0g · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If they can make a stripped down version run on an XO, can I please have that same version for my PC?

  4. Re:Not Windows desktop...hopefully something on to by amiga500 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If Microsoft put the XBox team in charge of coming up with a version of Windows for the XO, then it would probably fit onto the flash disk and have a usable interface.