According to a source familiar with the situation, Microsoft plans to extend the availability of Windows XP beyond June 30. It's understood that XP will remain available for low-cost laptops such as the Asus Eee PC, with a formal announcement expected later this week.
Windows Vista no good for ultraportable PCs
June 30 is the date when Microsoft plans to stop selling most Windows XP licences. The announcement that Microsoft will extend this deadline for low-cost laptops is expected to be made in the US, although it appears timed to coincide with the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) being held in Shanghai this week. For the latest Windows XP news - click here.
A Microsoft spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment on the expected announcement.
Intel is using IDF to herald the imminent arrival of handheld computers and low-cost laptops based on its upcoming Atom processors. Many of these devices will lack the storage capacity and memory needed to run Vista. As a result, hardware makers and industry analysts expect most to run either Windows XP or Linux. Intel has also been working closely with Linux developers to customize the open-source operating system for handheld computers it calls Mobile Internet Devices, or MIDs.
Vista is not deemed a practical option for laptops equipped with just 512MB of RAM and 2GB of storage. Even Vista Starter, the low-cost and stripped down version that Microsoft developed for emerging markets, still requires 15GB of free storage. Another problem is Vista's cost, which would likely push system prices beyond the £100 to £150 range where Intel hopes to see many of these Atom-based laptops priced.
Microsoft set the June 30 deadline as a way of pushing users towards Windows Vista, and the expected extension of Windows XP for low-cost laptops may not affect that objective.
Intel is setting strict guidelines for system builders that are designed to segment the laptop market by restricting features, such as screen size, that can be used with an Atom processor. These rules are designed to make sure that low-cost laptop sales do not cannibalise sales of mainstream laptops based on Intel's Core 2 Duo mobile processors.
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Comments
Ron said: Your arguments make no senseNo-one is whining about change and growth - do pay attention The complaint is about horribly bloated and absurdly expensive Vista - this wasnt progress it was change for its own sake - probably an ego trip for MS and Gates They built it because they could not because anyone actually needed it - rarely a sound basis for change And yes I am old enough to remember when RAM cost 100 a meg - so whatDavid ForrestYep I have a friend who bought herself a horribly expensive Vista Ultimate laptop mainly because it looked so pretty I do hope shes having fun
Your arguments make no sense said: If you are concerned about the amount of system resources windows vista requires go back to using windows 31 It required far less than xp OR stop whining about change and growth As the hardware requirements for the software apps increase the cost of the hardware itself becomes smaller Are any of you old enough to remember when 1 mb of ram cost over a hundred dollars
J Blake said: Or if this is too technical for you and you live in UKget a relative or friend studying at University to buy you a Mac big discounts if you are a student
J Blake said: I note with interest that XPs life expectancy is to be extended by another five years for a price Save money and security when this happens by installing Sabayon Linux and run Windows XP as a virtual machine inside it Sabayon
David Forrest said: I think that Microsoft thought theyd put fancy graphics so that people who dont know about PCs think that looks nice Ill have thatInstead theyve brought out an operating system that not only drains resources if you wish to view the pretty effects but doesnt really add anything new to the already committed XP I also would not consider moving to Vista and everyone I know who have either installed it or bought a PCLaptop with it preinstalled do not like it at all and those who have used XP before werent happy with Vista at allXP 1 - Vista 0
paul James said: I wished Microsoft would stop messing about and leave windows xp alone I prefer to use this Also it means having to look around for an new computer which means my old computer and laptop xp programs on these will not be compatible with vista
malh said: When MS stops supporting XP does this mean no activation