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Microsoft Extends XP For Low-Cost Laptops

Posted by Soulskill on from the stayin'-alive-stayin'-alive dept.

Ian Lamont writes "Microsoft says it will extend the sales of Windows XP Home to OEMs by several years, but it's not in response to the SaveXP petition. Microsoft is supposedly making the move in part to ensure that Linux doesn't dominate the market for certain types of 'ultra-low-cost' laptops. XP will be available for OEMs until June 30, 2010, or one year after the availability of the next client version of Windows, whichever date comes later. This greatly extends the earlier XP deadline of June 30 of this year (which was an extension itself), and means XP will potentially be installed on new computers nearly a decade after its original release. The author of the article suggests that the post-June 2008 release of Atom-based laptops encouraged Microsoft to extend XP, even though Intel says Atom can support Vista. Intel also claims that 'Moblin' Linux will be available on Atom-equipped mobile devices starting this summer."

8 of 388 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Future Niche. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't be silly. Vista was the next ME before it was even released.

  2. Re:It's really sad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Could just be the inevitable car analogy. They never get old.

  3. What exactly do they mena by "ultra-low?" by gsgleason · · Score: 1, Funny

    I wouldn't call a celeron 2.4Gz "ultra-low-budget," exactly.

  4. 5 minutes? by gnutoo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Boot time does not count!

    1. Re:5 minutes? by Gerzel · · Score: 4, Funny

      Indeed. What counts is if the device can support the "Vista Ready" sticker or not.

    2. Re:5 minutes? by pizzach · · Score: 5, Funny

      Between the vibration from the thrashing hard drive and intense CPU heat, the sticker seems to be pealing off...

      --
      Once you start despising the jerks, you become one.
  5. So, when will it actually be phased out? by RobertM1968 · · Score: 2, Funny

    XP will be available for OEMs until June 30, 2010, or one year after the availability of the next client version of Windows, whichever date comes later.

    Meaning... 2013 or 2014? Just an (un)educated guess based off what their previous initial "planned release dates" translate into on the real world calendar.

    ...one day I would love to see what sort of calendar MS uses for when they first announce a planned release date...

    It's funny how reality can often be so humorous.

    --
    StarTrekPhase2 - The Five Year Mission Continues!
  6. Re:It's really sad... by joaommp · · Score: 3, Funny

    The case too, the logo you'd have to stick in it has a minimum case requirement.

    --
    Onda Technology Institute