Windows XP to remain available for low-cost laptops?
Recently, a number of low-cost laptops have become available. Some are for less developed areas of the world or children and others are ultra-portable models. Intel is about to announce a new family of processors called “Atom” designed for these types of systems. One characteristic of the low-cost systems is that they can’t run Windows Vista because of its prodigious demand for resources but they can run XP. Faced with losing this market to Linux, it appears that Microsoft is going to extend the June 30 date for ending the availability of Windows XP to OEMs. PC World reports:
Microsoft plans to extend the availability of Windows XP for low-cost laptops beyond June 30, with an announcement expected later this week, according to a source familiar with the situation.
June 30 is the date when Microsoft plans to stop selling most Windows XP licenses. The announcement that Microsoft will extend this deadline for low-cost laptops is expected to be made in the U.S., although it appears timed to coincide with the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) being held in Shanghai on Wednesday and Thursday.
A Microsoft spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment on the expected announcement.