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Windows XP To Live On Aboard Cheap Desktops, Microsoft Says

The move would allow system vendors to preload the Home edition of Windows XP on nettops through June 2010, or about one year after Windows 7 becomes available.

By Paul McDougall
InformationWeek
June 3, 2008 12:50 PM

In a decision that highlights Windows Vista's hefty system requirements, Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) said Tuesday that it would allow computer makers to continue to sell Windows XP on low-cost "nettop" desktop PCs for an extended period beyond the operating system's official, June 30th expiration.

Microsoft said it would allow system vendors to preload the Home edition of Windows XP on nettops through June 2010, or about one year after Windows 7 is expected to become generally available.

Microsoft defines nettops as ultra-low cost PCs that are "optimized for Internet-based activities such as e-mail, Web browsing, and instant messaging." In other words, don't expect to play Far Cry or other graphically intense games on a nettop.

The move mirrors the software maker's decision earlier this year to make Windows XP available to manufacturers of low-cost laptops beyond XP's June 30th retirement.

An example of a nettop is the Asus Eee PC, which runs Windows XP or Linux and sells for less than $400. Such low-spec machines would be incapable of running Vista.

To experience all of Vista's features, PC users need a computer with at least a 1-GHz processor, 1 GB of memory, and a 40 GB hard drive. By contrast, Windows XP Home requires only a 233-MHz processor, 64 Mbytes of RAM, and a 1.5-Gbyte disk.

Without continued access to XP, vendors like Asus would be forced to offer only Linux on their systems. It's a situation Microsoft is trying to avoid as sales of low-cost PCs rise in emerging markets like India and China.

"Customers and partners have made it clear to us that they want Windows on their netbooks and nettops," said Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Division at Microsoft, in a statement Tuesday. "We are committed to providing Windows solutions for these devices, helping to ensure a high-quality experience for both our partners and customers," he said.

Microsoft Pledges Windows XP Support Through 2014

Microsoft may have little choice but to support XP for an extended period since most of its business customers have not upgraded to Windows Vista.

By Paul McDougall
InformationWeek
June 24, 2008 10:56 AM

In an unprecedented move, Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has committed to providing support services for its soon to be retired Windows XP through 2014 -- a full 13 years after the operating system was originally released.

In a letter sent to customers this week, Microsoft senior VP Bill Veghte said the software maker will provide security patches "and other critical updates" for Windows XP until April, 2014.

"Our ongoing support for Windows XP is the result of our recognition that people keep their Windows-based PCs for many years," Veghte wrote.

That may be, but Microsoft normally terminates support for an OS within ten years of its release -- at the latest. For instance, it plans to end support for Windows 2000 in 2010.

Microsoft may have little choice but to support Windows XP for an extended period, given that the majority of its large business customers have not upgraded their personal computers and laptops to the newer, Windows Vista operating system.

Many companies have balked at Vista's cost, resource requirements, and lack of compatibility with older applications.