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)
Fujitsu Laptops and Windows XP
June 26, 2008
I received a notice from Fujitsu yesterday that we are fast approaching the point where you won’t be able to buy some Fujitsu laptops and Tablet PC/convertibles with Microsoft Windows XP anymore.
Affected laptops:
- Fujitsu LifeBook T4220 Tablet PC
- Fujitsu LifeBook T2010 Tablet PC
- Fujitsu LifeBook P7230 Notebook
On a sidenote, and it’s unrelated to Fujitsu dropping Windows XP from these models, from the online retailers that I looked at, these particular models could be reaching End-Of-Life (EOL) status. All three have pretty steep discounts (the T2010 can be found at Amazon.com for $1383 for instance, which is several hundred dollars off the original price).
It would make sense - the T4220 could be replaced by the Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 and the P7230 has the Fujitsu LifeBook P8010 as a replacement.
HP 2133 Mini-Note and Windows Vista SP1, XP SP3
June 23, 2008
Over at HP 2133 Mini-Note Guide, they’ve posted some new performance benchmarks for the HP 2133 Mini-Note using updated drivers from VIA for the CN896 chipset and Chrome 9 integrated graphics chipset that were recently released for Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows XP.
The benchmarks with the new drivers were between Windows XP and Windows XP with the new drivers, and Windows Vista and Windows Vista SP1 and the new drivers.
Among the highlights:
- Overall, Vista SP1 with the new drivers was close to XP SP3 with the new drivers (both were slight improvements over Vista and XP SP2)
- 3DMark03 scores improved around 15% with Vista when SP1 and the new drivers were added.
- 3DMark03 scores with XP SP3 were around 16% higher than Vista SP1
- 3DMark06 scores with XP SP3 were around 15% higher than Vista SP1
They note that video playback overall was improved with the new drivers and service packs, and that no matter what OS you are running, the latest drivers and Service Pack do make quite a bit of difference.
Read: HP2133Guide.com
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
Everex CloudBook and Windows XP
May 23, 2008
Could it be that the 7-inch Everex CloudBook is finally getting Microsoft Windows XP?
It is if you are buying it in Taiwan and you are specifically buying the Everex gBook SC1200T.
The 1.2GHz VIA C7-powered ultraportable device was spotted with a box listing the above model number along with “Windows XP” and “Adobe Reader”.
In addition to Windows XP, it’s listed with 1GB of memory and the normal 30GB HDD.
Read: Everex Taiwan
Via: Liliputing
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
