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Microsoft Accommodating Eee With Lightweight XP

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the accomnodations-for-all dept.

KrispyChips writes "In what could be a first Microsoft is working to create a special build of Windows, just because Windows doesn't run very well on a certain computer. ASUS' runaway success Eee PC is now 'officially' available with Windows XP, but (according to APC magazine) is not exactly a great experience. There are none of the nice pre-loaded apps that come with the Linux version, for example. And XP has some real problems coping with the screen size and limited system specs of the unit. As a result, ASUS says it is going back to Microsoft and working on a special XP build that will be lightweight and more suited to UMPCs."

8 of 386 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Pre-loaded apps by ccozan · · Score: 5, Informative

    Firefox and Openoffice.org have _earned_ their place on a desktop. IE or Mediaplayer didn't: MS used his OS monopoly to push them in the desktop. The same with Apple: they have a _almost_ monopoly for music players, but using this to push Quicktime ( = crap ) on everybody's desktop should not be allowed.

  2. Re:Why XP by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Informative

    It runs native XP apps without having to get a special version.
    You have a whole back catalog running on a cheap UMPC platform.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  3. Re:Pre-loaded apps by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 4, Informative

    But when Apple and Linux distros do it, it's okay? And it was okay for MS to do it BEFORE they lost their monopoly court case? Okay, now I'm clear.
    Well, I assume you're trolling, but I'll answer you anyway (feel free to mod me down) -- Linux vendors and Apple are not bundling apps in order to put competitors out of business.

    Microsoft bundled DoubleSpace/DriveSpace to put Stac out of business, they bundled EMM386 to put Quarterdeck out of business, they bundled Internet Explorer to put Netscape out of business, and they bundled Media Player to get Apple to stop making QuickTime for Windows (I believe the testimony given in court was they told Apple to "knife the baby" in regards to QuickTime for Windows).

    You might like Microsoft's products, that's fine, but if you agree with their business practices then you're no better than they are.
    --
    My blog
  4. quite nice though by atamagabakkaomae · · Score: 5, Informative

    I just bought the Eee with Windows a few days ago here in Tokyo. Actually I havent really closely followed the story, but I think I already saw it here in the stores with Windows XP at least 1.5 month ago.

    Anyway, just to comment on the usability: With the preconfigured Windows setup the small screen is really not used to the optimum. But if you tweak a little bit (like hiding the startbar, setting the Desktop environment to maximum performance etc.) things turn out to be quite ok. I also installed the 'hacked' scaling video driver, which works nicely and allows me to run my VJing application at 1024x768. So far without crash.

    I would have preferred to buy the Linux version of this machine, but couldn't get it here at Big Camera. So the Windows version was more of a second choice. No proper command line but, anyway, I dont regret it.

    Oh, and Microsoft/Asus does deliver some bundled stuff with the machine. Some LiveBlabla (office suite or something). I uninstalled it without looking at it though (for openoffice).

    To conclude I dont think the normal Windows XP is such an unpleasant experience on the Eee. Of course a version with a smaller harddisk footprint might be nice.

    --
    -- LP-Research
  5. Re:BWAHAHAHAHA! by blackdevl · · Score: 3, Informative

    To further comment on this, the OS the parent is referring to is Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PC's which is based off Windows XP Embedded, to be a replacement for the 9x/2000 machines that volume license customers with SA contracts may be using. It runs on less memory and processor and is up to date on patching (as up to date as XP can be). While this wasnt intended to be a full featured os (I believe its more for remote desktop and holding over old hardware until companies can upgrade), I have used it in vmware and have not had any major issues with it. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/sa/benefits/fundamentals.mspx

  6. Re:Pre-loaded apps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yeah, like eMusic, Amazon.com, Magnatune.

    Works wonderfully. Get a grip, stupid.

  7. Re:Pre-loaded apps by omega_dk · · Score: 4, Informative

    It works beautifully with Amazon's store.

    Oh, and my Zen works well with EMI's stuff on iTunes.

    Or are you implying that somehow, Apple should be offering all its music DRM-free against the wishes of the copyright holders? Because at this point, it's no longer Apple that wants the DRM on that music... (Video is another matter: Hey Steve! How about you use your weight on Disney's board to remove the DRM from the Disney movies you sell on iTunes Store?)

    --
    Just because you don't like the truth, does not make it false.
  8. Why special version. by leuk_he · · Score: 3, Informative

    MS had a vista product aimed at this market segment: origami, however vista is too large for this ultra cheap pc. they also have windows mobile. But every one know windows mobile has very little to do with windows, and fails to run everyday windows applications.

    Vista origami can run nicely on the already existing (900$ ) Umpc, but the ultra cheap eee pc was an unexpected success.

    And MS already has a modularized version of XP ready, XP embedded. It is a small step to offer that to Asus with special licensing/branding condition (=cheap)