Microsoft Stops Sales of Windows XP
In an attempt to boost sales of its most recent operating system (Windows Vista), Microsoft yesterday ceased sales of Windows XP, their previous operating system.
The popular operating system will still be sold separately until June 2010, but major computer manufacturers can no longer buy it for installation on new computers. Smaller companies, however, will be allowed to sell it installed until the retail date expires.
The decision was made much to the dismay of many loyal Windows fans, who claim that Windows XP is far superior. XP was originally scheduled to stop sales earlier this year on Jan. 31, but increased demand persuaded them to push the date back five months.
Users who want XP on their future computers will have to purchase XP separately and legally “downgrade” to their preferred software of choice. This may entail the purchase of both programs.
Windows Vista Ultimate currently costs upwards of $300.00 when bought off of the Microsoft Web site, and can run anywhere from $200.00 to $350.00 when bought form a different vender. By comparison, Windows XP can cost between $135.00 and $250.00 when bought form other venders.
The presence of compatibility issues creates a problem for businesses that have networks based on the XP format. Upgrading may generate more problems with the network than it will benefits.
Microsoft boasts that Vista has an updated security system, improved searching features, and a flashy new interface called “Aero.”
Many users complain that the operating system requires too much RAM, the amount of memory a computer recall at random, creating bugs and slowing down operating speed. For lap top users this decreases battery life significantly, although this can be fixed by switching from Aero to an older interface.
A “Save XP” petition, which has recently been submitted to Microsoft, on popular computer Web site Infoworld has garnered more than 210,000 signatures from users who don’t want to have to buy Vista on their next computer.
Die-hard XP users and Vista enemies will have to endure a two year gap of downgrading, as Microsoft’s next operating system, with the working title “Windows 7,” is scheduled for release in either late 2009 or Jan. 2010.
Microsoft will still offer full technical support to XP users through 2009, and limited support through 2014.
The point raised in the Times piece is an important one, though. With Linux-based computers starting to make inroads at the low end, and Apple continuing to gain share at the high end, can Microsoft really afford to do business as usual?
Steve Ballmer has vowed that it will never again be five years between Windows releases. I think it is important to note, though, that even assuming no delays in Windows 7, it will be three years between its release and that of Vista–and that’s for a release that doesn’t make significant changes under the hood.
Related posts:
- Microsoft Wants One Laptop Per Child System To Run Windows XP
- One Laptop Per Child XO laptop were in talks with Microsoft to integrate the Windows XP operating system. Recently, Microsoft...