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
HP Releases Windows XP Drivers for HP 2133 Mini-Note
May 7, 2008
If you are an owner of a HP 2133 Mini-Note PC and you are wanting to use an Operating System other than Linux or Microsoft Windows Vista, you are in luck.
You won’t have to search through any 3rd party websites or forums, as HP has updated their support site with Windows XP drivers for the Mini-Note (including the infamous Broadcom Wireless drivers that were causing many people problems). Joanna at the LAPTOP Magazine blog was able to easily install the wireless drivers after downloading them from HP. It’s still missing audio/sound drivers, but those will probably be available soon.
Read More: LAPTOP Magazine
Drivers: HP.com/bizsupport/TechSupport
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.
Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet and Solid State Drives
April 23, 2008
Not sure how long Lenovo has been offering this, but in addition to offering flash memory-based Solid State Drives (SSDs) on their 13.3-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X300s, they are also offering 64GB SSDs for their 12.1-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablets (non-widescreen), as well as some ThinkPad T61s.
These are not being offered on their non-Tablet ThinkPad X61.
The advantages they list:
- Faster boot times
- Faster application load times
- Lower power usage
- Less heat production
- Greater durability
- Quiet operation
Cost of those advantages: $1030 (USD) on top of the base price.
Read: Lenovo and Soild State Drives (US)
HP 2133 Mini-Note, Windows XP: May
April 16, 2008
According to Mark Spoonauer over on the LAPTOP Magazine blog, the new 8.9-inch HP 2133 Mini-Note netbook will soon be available (well in mid-May) with Windows XP as an option.
As of now, Microsoft Windows XP is listed on the HP Mini-Note’s website as an option for Operating Systems, however none of the pre-configured Mini-Notes currently have it as an option (and they maybe currently shipping as we speak, with Linux pre-loaded).
Mark gleaned the initial information from an online chat with an HP sales representative, however he did receive official confirmation from HP in regards to the mid-May dates for Mini-Notse loaded with Windows XP and should have more information soon.
