Microsoft grants Windows XP longer life in latest slam on Vista
By Matt Jansen
Windows Vista continues to expand on its infamous reputation as a bloated, expensive, and unwieldy operating system. Perhaps realizing that and with likely pressure from Intel, Microsoft has agreed to continue licensing Windows XP for low cost laptops beyond June 30.
The announcement is expected to air in the United States, but it arrives in close proximity with the upcoming Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai, according to InfoWorld.
Intel is jumping into the low cost laptop scene with a passion, and raising prices to buy licenses of Windows Vista would certainly slow down adoption, and Windows XP provides much of the same functionality.
“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.”
Even a simplified version of Windows Vista requires 15 gigabytes of storage space, a challenge when MIDs are likely focused on storing data in the online cloud.
Intel is pushing for a new customer segment focused on low cost mobile commuting, and to protect its higher paying customers the company is enforcing strict hardware requirements for use with its Atom processor.
When will Microsoft start listening to its customers and develop a streamlined and forward thinking operating system that improves upon Windows XP?
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April 1st, 2008
I’ll believe it when I see it, today is April Fools day.