Microsoft Relaxes Windows XP Restrictions for Netbooks
July 3, 2008
Looks like Microsoft is backing off on some of their previous demands in regards to allowing OEMs to keep installing Microsoft Windows XP on netbooks. Microsoft had already extended the End-of-Life for XP on these devices (on June 30th, most manufacturers had to stop offering Windows XP on mainstream laptops).
Previously, they had placed the following restrictions on netbook / sub-notebook manufacturers:
- Screen sizes must be 10.2-inches and under
- Hard drives must be 80GB or under
- No touch-screens.
The extension was to allow netbook customers to use XP, which performed much better than Windows Vista on such limited hardware platforms (although some Vista drivers have slowly been changing that on certain machines). I think a part of it was also to try and discourage OEMs from offering Linux on these devices. The restrictions were put in place to insure that it didn’t hurt Windows Vista sales.
Now the restrictions are:
- Screen sizes must be 14.1″ and under
- Hard drives must be 160GB or smaller
- Touchscreens are allowed.
Also, it’s mentioned that the CPUs are limited to single-core chips that max out at 1GHz, with 1GB of RAM or less. That’s a little tricky because there are definitely machines that exceed the CPU or memory specifications but which are still selling with XP (maybe not on the memory, but the Intel Atom clocks at 1GHz). Obviously a dual-core CPU would be able to run Vista much better than a single-core.
Read: InfoWorld (via GottaBeMobile)
Windows XP and End of Life
June 23, 2008
Just a reminder, Windows XP is reaching End-Of-Life (EOL) status for many laptops (and desktops) in the next week or so (June 30, 2008 to be precise).
This affects both OEM and Retail License sales. While some companies such as Dell are extending their sales of Windows XP almost all the way up to that point, most have already dropped it (but Dell will not be offering it after June 26, 2008).
This doesn’t affect Windows XP on netbooks / sub-notebooks - for the time being, Microsoft will continue to offer Windows XP on this class of devices (provided they meet certain criteria Microsoft has laid out, such as no touchscreens although that seems to be up in the air, etc.).
It’s possible that Windows XP will be available for netbooks up until the release of Windows 7 - Windows 7 looks like it can scale down to low-power devices a lot better than Vista, so it makes sense to drop XP then.
Read:
- Microsoft - Life Cycle Policy
- Dell.com
Microsoft Extends Windows XP
June 3, 2008
Today at Computex, Microsoft has officially announced that they will be extending sales of Windows XP for Netbook / Sub-Notebook (or Nettop as Microsoft is calling them) devices. Originally, sales would have ended very shortly.
From the press release:
Today at Computex, Microsoft Corp. announced that following the success of Windows on netbooks, the Windows offering is being extended to include nettop devices. Netbooks are commonly referred to as ultralow-cost PCs (ULCPCs) and were originally intended for students and other first-time PC customers in emerging markets. Nettop refers to desktops that are ultralow-cost.
In April, Microsoft announced the worldwide extension of the availability of Windows for this emerging class of devices that are primarily used for e-mail, accessing the Internet and instant messaging, and the company is seeing much demand among industry partners who want to ensure that customers can have the benefits of Windows on both new and existing devices.
Customers are asking for Windows on these devices because the experience is familiar to existing PC users and easy to learn for customers who are new to computing. Customers want to be able to take advantage of the wide range of applications, devices and online experiences supported by Windows today. Microsoft partners also appreciate Windows-based solutions for these computers because they already know how to build and support high-quality systems that are powered by Windows.
Read: Press Release
Microsoft Windows XP on Netbooks/Subnotebooks
May 12, 2008
In documents obtained by IDG News Service, Microsoft has outlined a program that would allow PC makers to install Windows XP Home Edition on their ultraportable/low cost machines (netbooks, subnotebooks, etc.) for very steep discounts, with a few conditions:
- Screen sizes must be 10.2-inches and under
- Hard drives must be 80GB or under
- No touch-screens.
They are hoping this will keep these devices from impacting the market for more mainstream PCs that are running Microsoft Windows Vista, as well as keep them from turning to Linux to help keep software costs down.
It’s an interesting strategy that helps both Microsoft and the manufacturers, as many people have made it clear they do want what is basically a small notebook with a similarity to their larger machines running other versions of Windows.
Read:
- PC World
- Computerworld UK
Windows XP - How Long Will it Hang Around?
April 24, 2008
Comments were made earlier in the month by one of the general managers of Microsoft’s Windows groups about just how long Windows XP will hang around (especially given the rise of netbooks/sub-notebooks), now Steve Ballmer is talking about Windows XP and just how long (and whether) it’s going to hang around.
Quoting Steve Ballmer/CNET:
“XP will hit an end-of-life. We have announced one. If customer feedback varies, we can always wake up smarter, but right now, we have a plan for end-of-life for new XP shipments,” Ballmer said during a Thursday news conference in Belgium, according to Reuters.
Big-name computer makers are still scheduled to have to stop selling models with Windows XP installed by the end of June. Mainstream technical support will continue to be available for Windows XP through April 2009, and more limited support will continue through April 2014.
Microsoft does plan to continue selling Windows XP for a limited class of PCs it calls “ultralow-cost PCs.” It’s a category that covers machines with slower processors, smaller screens and, in many cases, flash memory, rather than a traditional hard drive, for storage.
Articles:
- CNET
- ArsTechnica also has some comments about Ballmer.
HCL MiLeap H Series from HCL/Microsoft
April 16, 2008
On Monday, Microsoft and HCL Infosystems Limited (India) announced the HCL MiLeap H Series, a new entry in the netbook category.
They are claiming that it will be the cheapest Windows XP-based laptop “available in any market worldwide.”
Only a few details were released:
- Runs on Microsoft Windows XP Home
- Retail for 17,000 Indian rupees (About $425 USD)
- 30GB Hard Drive
- “Broadband Ready”
Keep in mind this is only an announcement that Microsoft and HCL Infosystems would be working together on this.
I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that a lot of netbooks are rolling out with Linux pre-installed.
Source: Yahoo! News/InformationWeek
