Ron Schenone

Windows XP May Have A Long, Long Life Expectancy

Posted by on Mar 31, 2008 | 10 Comments

Microsoft is soon going to be faced with a very interesting problem that will require a command decision by the higher ups. Should Microsoft keep Windows XP around for awhile longer or just give the mini-laptop market to Linux? As part of their game plan, Microsoft has told OEM’s no more Windows XP after June 30, 2008.

Now for the problem. The newest low cost mini-laptops most likely will be powered by Intel’s new Atom chip. These lost chip, low energy chips don’t have the poop to run the resource hogging Vista operating system. Yet should be able to handle the mobile version of Windows XP such as the one being used on the Asus Eee PC.

But wait. Aren’t we all supposed to dump XP and jump on the Vista wagon? Well this wagon may have a couple of bumps in the road. If Microsoft relinquishes this market to Linux, than XP could go bye-bye. On the other hand, when has Microsoft ever given up in any market segment?

Because of this we may see Windows XP for many more moons to come.

What do you think?

Comments as always are welcome.

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  • Agarath

    I’ve been wondering something similar myself. I’m quite attracted to the Eee type of computer too, especially for something to use on my commutes to and from for reading pdf’s and other minor multi-media.

    I’m keeping my eye out for the touch screen model that may be due out some time this summer…and keeping an eye out for a linux distro that will work on the Eee (or similar) with touch screen

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Agarath,
    There should be a wide variety of new mini-laptops coming sometime in the 3rd quarter. I am sure you will find one that will meet your needs. Let us know what you decide to get.

    Regards, Ron

  • Agarath

    Thanks Ron, really enjoy your posts and responses. here is what the gang over at Ars Technica posted today:

    http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080401-microsoft-to-give-xp-stay-of-executionfor-budget-laptops.html

    Surprise?!?!, April fools?? maybe not.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Agarath,
    Thanks for the link. Interesting and I don’t think it’s an April Fools joke. :-)

  • Don Naphen

    Ron, XP may very well go down in history as the most successful and longest running OS that Billy G. ever put out. This adamant attitude must be a nasty source of irritation to him. “Yes, I know you people are happy with XP, but Vista is “new”, so you really must give up XP and buy Vista.” The IT dept. at work has been sticking with XP now for quite a while and have no plans on switching over. Why would they want to open up a can of worms now!

  • GiM

    I know a very big company, started now (December 2007) the transition from Windows 2000 to Windows XP. Well, at least for the new PCs.

    My opinion is that they bought few thousands of XP licences and will use them wisely (over June 30, 2008) on the next years to come…

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi GiM,
    I believe that many companies are doing this. :-)
    Regards, Ron

  • Agarath
  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Thanks Agarath. I just saw the AP news release. 2 years is a lot longer than I thought Microsoft would go on keeping XP around. Which brings up another interesting point. If they keep XP around for MIDS, than it would make sense that the updates and maybe SP4 could follow. Just a thought. :-)

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, looks like windows xp is gonna be around longer. I heard that it will not be supported from april 2014. Thats like about 5 years more! Windows xp is great though. Im so used to it. I used windows xp for 8 years…