The life of Windows XP has been extended again, according to an announcement made today by Microsoft at Computex. This was necessary, as computer manufacturers have been pressuring Microsoft to provide an OS version that can be used for low-cost laptops and desktops. Windows Vista is simply too complex and resource dominating for these products.
IDG has reported that PC makers can now include Windows XP in low-cost desktops (which Microsoft is now calling Nettops) with limited system configurations intended for Web surfing and sending email (such as the Asus Eee PC) until 2010, the same deadline as for low-cost laptops, according to Rob Young, a Senior Director with Microsoft's OEM group.
Whether Microsoft will impose limitations on PC makers to prevent them from installing Windows XP on more capable machines was not mentioned, but indicated that Microsoft and PC vendors are in general agreement over what constitutes a Nettop, suggesting that Microsoft won't have to specify the hardware configurations that vendors can use with XP.
