Microsoft Places Restrictions on Continued Sale of Windows XP Home

[SRTDodge05]

Microsoft's restrictions for Windows XP on ULPCs gets leaked.


In early April, Microsoft made a lot of OEM and consumers happy with the announcement that Windows XP Home would live on in ultra-low-cost PCs (ULPCs) until June 30, 2010. The rise of such low-cost machines as the ASUS Eee PC -- which primarily runs on a Linux-based operating system -- led to Microsoft's decision to offer Windows XP to OEMs past the already established June 30, 2008 cutoff date.
At the time of the announcement, the only restriction seemingly placed on the reprieve for Windows XP Home seemed to be that the operating system could only be sold on ULPCs. IDG News, however, came into possession of an internal document to OEMs which detail the full extent of the restrictions.

DailyTech - Microsoft Places Restrictions on Continued Sale of Windows XP Home

[Cogar]

From the article:

In an effort to protect its Windows Vista operating system, Microsoft is requiring OEMs to abide by the following rules:

* HDDs can be no larger than 80GB.
* The screen size for the ULPCs can be no larger than 10.2".
* Installed memory can be no greater than 1GB.
* Processors must use a single core and can be no faster than 1GHz. Processors which are severely handicapped by low-clock speeds (a la the VIA C7-M and Intel Atom) are excluded from this restriction.

Of course, Microsoft is spinning this as a way to define the "ultra low cost PC." However, the way technology changes, it may only be a year or so before you can get specs like these except for the screen size on your smart phone, let alone on a PC. Microsoft continues to demonstrate how out of touch they are with not only the buying public, but now with their understanding of the hardware industry. At least they are good for a few laughs each month.

[maraud]

This signals the death of XP. Balmers prior comments are now irrelevant.

[rachael24]

I agree...Goodbye XP, forever!

[wallijonn]

I thought it was only XP HOME which was to no longer be supported but XP PRO is supposed to be supported (because of the businesses.) If that's the case then HOME will cease to be sold, especially by OEMs. Other than that, one may still be able to buy Vista with a downgrade path, in which case it may be supported until a year after W7.

[maraud]

Originally Posted by wallijonn

I thought it was only XP HOME which was to no longer be supported but XP PRO is supposed to be supported (because of the businesses.) If that's the case then HOME will cease to be sold, especially by OEMs. Other than that, one may still be able to buy Vista with a downgrade path, in which case it may be supported until a year after W7.

Only a fool would buy Vista now. They pre announced Windows 7, that should dry up all vista future orders.

[ctal]

Originally Posted by wallijonn

I thought it was only XP HOME which was to no longer be supported but XP PRO is supposed to be supported (because of the businesses.) If that's the case then HOME will cease to be sold, especially by OEMs. Other than that, one may still be able to buy Vista with a downgrade path, in which case it may be supported until a year after W7.

This has nothing to do with support; it has to do with new copies of XP being available for purchase, either pre-installed on pc's or separately (both of which will end next month for Home and Pro, aside from the ULPC exception for Home). Support in the form of security patches will continue until April 2014; support in the form of "help" will be discontinued much sooner -- I don't know the dates offhand, or whether the dates differ between Home and Pro.

Regards,
-- Al