Microsoft has announced that a version of Windows XP Home will continue to be available until either June 30, 2010, or one year following the release of its next-generation Windows 7 operating system. Company executives said the extension of Windows XP’s shelf life is essential for serving the needs of an emerging new class of low-cost mobile-computing devices.
“One thing we’ve heard loud and clear, from both our customers and our partners, is the desire for Windows on this new class of devices,” noted Michael Dix, general manager of Windows client product management. “We are enthusiastic about this category because it enables us to bring the benefits of Windows to more customers.”
Targeting First-Time Buyers
The technical capabilities of the ultra-low-cost PC (ULCPC) may vary from one machine to the next, “but they typically have smaller screen sizes and lower-powered processors than more expensive mobile PCs,” Dix said. “While originally intended for students and other first-time PC customers in emerging markets, we’re now seeing interest in these affordable devices in developed countries as well.”
Given that low-cost machines such as the Asus Eee PC are unable to meet some of the advanced technical specs demanded by Windows Vista, XP’s extended availability reflects Microsoft’s decision not to cede a potential high-growth market segment to rival Linux systems.
“Windows Vista is just too big to work well on these devices, and I think it really shows how much a problem Windows’s constant increasing size presents,” said Gartner Vice President Michael Silver. “Asus has been successfully selling the Eee PC with Linux, but I think it’s more the interesting platform than the OS driving that.”
Citing the feedback Microsoft has received, Dix said potential ULCPC buyers will be looking for machines that operate in a familiar fashion and are easy to use browsing the Web and performing basic…