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Name: Cobra_R
Microsoft May Continue Selling Windows XP Licenses for Low-Cost Systems
In order to achieve its strategic goals eventually, Microsoft Corp. may need to substantially alter its tactics. One of the first examples of such changes may be prolongation of Windows XP sales for low-cost personal computers or even introduce a special operating system for such machines.
Microsoft Corp. indisputably wants to popularize its Windows Vista operating system (OS) in order to compete head-to-head for casual and style-demanding end-users against Apple Computer’s Mac OS X. However, it is also an indisputable fact that Microsoft needs to take actions against Linux expansion in basic desktops, but Windows Vista operating system is too demanding for low-end personal computers of today.Modern entry-level computers come with single-core low-speed microprocessor, 512MB or even less random access memory (RAM), up 2GB – 12GB of storage space, very basic graphics core and low-resolution display. Meanwhile, Microsoft Windows Vista needs higher-speed microprocessor, better dual-core chip, 1GB or more memory, 15GB – 30GB of storage for OS alone as well as higher resolution screen and DirectX 9-compatible graphics sub-system.
There are several ways for Microsoft to target entry-level systems:
Continue to sell Windows XP operating system.
Develop a Windows XP derivative tailored for low-cost mobile devices.
Develop a Windows Vista derivative with dramatically lower system requirements.
Wait for personal computers to become more powerful and start pushing Windows Vista.
According to InfoWorld web-site, Microsoft plans to continue selling Windows XP operating system for entry-level systems after the 30th of June, 2008, the date after which the software giant wanted to cease selling XP licenses.The decision, will allow Microsoft to address the rapidly growing market of low-cost machines that have been getting a lot of hype amid fears about economic recession in the USA as well as strong demand from developing countries.
I think Ubuntu may slice Microsoft shares once public starts finding out how much time and money it costs to keep Microsoft products running. My conservative estimate is $120/yr. Owning Ubuntu would cut the cost to zero.
Problem I find with Ubuntu is user interface. No doubt Ubuntu is stable, but usability index is around 5 out of 10, if XP = 10. but, Ubuntu consortium has done a great deal to make Ubuntu not only run off a CD, but you can install it almost error-free (at least in my experiences).
I think Ubuntu-64 will give same fierce competition as Firefox did. Ubuntu-64 could take as much as 50% of market share in coming 5-6 years, if the user interface is improved IMHO.
Having said that Vista interface is absoutely stunning. i love it.
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Quoted from M$ Statement on Expanding Support for ULCPCs (Ultra Low Cost PCs) for Windows XP, dated December 2007:
... there are no plans to offer a version of Windows that is compatible with the XO laptop for retail purchase in the U.S. and Canada.
M$ also set forth their own Guidelines for Designing Flash-Based Ultra Low Cost PCs for Windows XP that estrablished the hardware design criterias. If interested to know more or you're just curious... click on the link below to read the PDF document.
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...
i_Xp/VistaUser
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Linux will NEVER capture 50% of mainstream desktop share, let alone, the Ubuntu64 distro just by itself; taking 50% in the next five/six years. Even the server market where Linux is pretty strong: it's respectable command is still roughly 10%.
An OS is just a foundation for desktop programs & recreational or productivity applications to flourish. An OS that you can't do much with is invariably relegated to the status of a screensaver or cool wallpaper. Juxtapose that factor with M$ institutionalized EULA & also the much less user-friendly nature of Linux, as well as a host of other issues & you clearly begin to see the glass ceiling that's there to truncate Linux' high reach.
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Here's my 2 cents...
I have been reading scuttlebutt that Msoft is working a new OS called Windows 9...
Some folks say it may be a combination of the functionality of XP and the security features of Vista...
My understanding is that business is pretty much staying away from Vista...there is no significant advantage to upgrade to Vista...
The firm I work for, about 1000 employees,
(I'm one of the IT techs)we are NOT moving to Vista for minimum of 2 years, even if Msoft stops support...we are going to try to wait it out for the next OS hoping it will be better...I think Mac is up close to 10% market share now...pretty substantial increase over the past 3-4 years...I kinda think it will increase...top out maybe 15% or so...
Linux, any flavor...techheads love it...but it's gonna have to get dumbed down to the XP level before it will sell to the average home user...it has to be easily usable for the average grampa who only wants to email the grand kids and book some vacation flights...
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Nope, MS will force Vista on us.
I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.
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Microsoft has all ready cut pricing for vista so as to undertake the low cost OEM computer market...
Businesses will only convert over when they decide that their programs are so outdated that they have no choice and this is where M$ screwed up....By making Vista a non backward compatible system they cut their own throats by forcing business owners to not just upgrade their computers but also all their marketing/accounting software as well as the networking hardware.
Business owners balked at the extra costs and refused to upgrade. M$ had to come down off their high horse for fear of losing out across the board and then offered unheard of pricing cuts to the branded partners in order to push Vista .
The problem being is that M$ underestimated the general populace and created Vista with too much security issues. These things slowed business down and they screamed for a return to XP and for a while was granted the option.
Vista has become the scourge of operating systems or better yet the first time user's computer with all the "are you sure you want to do that " crap
In The Matters Of Style,
swim with the current;
in matters of principle,
Stand Like A Rock
"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the
freedom of thought which they avoid."
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I am an above average general computer user.
I have set up my own home network of two machines, a scanner and four printers.
I have added the necessary security tweaks and have a fast, reliable system that suits me perfectly. Occasional problems have been overcome and eliminated. My XP is solid as a rock.
Pure logic indicates that a move to Vista is unnecessary and, due to all the well known compatibility issues, disruptive.
I welcome the XP 'reprieve", however, when time comes to switch, I will definitely move too a Linux system. Vista is a marginal improvement over XP in some areas and inferior in others. I will not be forced into using it. In 2 years I hope and expect Linux to be even easier to use than it is now.
Finally, I plan to add a third machine to my network, clean, so I can install Linux and learn it thoroughly while I continue to use XP for as long as possible.JPM
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Yesterday (April 3, 2008) M$ officially set in stone the end of retail sales of Windows XP Pro in the following PressPass article:
M$ Announces Extended Availability of Windows XP Home for ULCPCs
.. until the later of June 30, 2010, or one year after general availability of the next version of Windows
Question Asked: Will M$ extend sales of other editions of Windows XP?
M$ Answer: No, there is no plan to extend sales of other editions of Windows XP beyond June 30, 2008.
Personally I guess that's because the ability to keep fixing Windows XP is maxing out. In retrospective, it took M$ to fix..
321 bugs rolled up as XP SP1,
726 new bugs rolled up as XP SP2, and for XP SP3 ... a whopping 1073 more new bugs!i_Xp/VistaUser
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I didn't expect them to support the other XP versions for low cost pc's. It wouldn't make any sense. I mean, how many low cost laptops or desktops come with XP Pro? Hardly any of them. Besides that, most of your low cost pc buyers never use the stuff that comes with XP Pro anyways, so it would be a waste for microsoft to continue to sell XP Pro disc.
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The important thing is this. If MSoft is planning on selling XP home for at least two more years then they will have to support it for at least 4 more years. I don't think there is much difference between support for home or pro. That means we should be able to get updates for the next 4 years or more.
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I agree with OtheHill. I sure wish the petition at SaveXP.com would do some good and make M$ sell XP past June 30th.
Hmm I wonder what happened to decency and morality? Doesn't anyone remember them?
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I believe a subscription model for Windows is inevitable. The reason MSoft keeps releasing new versions is to keep the cash flowing. If we had to pay a small amount say every quarter to support and update the OS it would be worth it. I have a CAD program that is in version #12 with some minor releases in-between. With just about each release there is a grace period when the company will support previously released versions after which they stop all support. The big difference is that the older versions still work fine but they are keyed to MSoft. So eventually you will probably need to update. Each update comes with many more useful features and enhancements.
If MSoft were to use that model they could satisfy almost everyone. The problem is MSoft is greedy and would charge too much.
I resent subsidizing the DPS OEM copies of Windows. Folks buying computers with DSP copies pre-installed basically don't pay for those copies. The enthusiasts like us pay more because of that.
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I agree with you OtheHill. M$ seems IMO to be getting greedier and greedier with every new OS. I read somewhere that they charge companies to create drivers for Vista!
Hmm I wonder what happened to decency and morality? Doesn't anyone remember them?
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@ stevem5000
"Here's my 2 cents...
I have been reading scuttlebutt that Msoft is working a new OS called Windows 9...
Some folks say it may be a combination of the functionality of XP and the security features of Vista...
My understanding is that business is pretty much staying away from Vista...there is no significant advantage to upgrade to Vista...The firm I work for, about 1000 employees,
(I'm one of the IT techs)we are NOT moving to Vista for minimum of 2 years, even if Msoft stops support...we are going to try to wait it out for the next OS hoping it will be better..."As part of the IT personnel -- regardless of the size of your company -- I find your Windows 9 speculation somewhat bizarre, unless that was a typo. Anyhow, there are many reasons (some fundamental & others not so much so) corporate type organizations approach technology upgrades like they do & Vista or no Vista will not change that MO.
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"Microsoft will shutter its Windows XP line June 30, as planned, ceasing sales of Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home to retailers and direct OEMs, Microsoft confirmed to eWEEK April 3."
Seems dead to me.
I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.
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Below is an excerpt from an article I linked to in #1.
"Originally, XP was scheduled to shuffle off this mortal coil this past January 30, but Microsoft relented last fall due to pressure from customers and resellers. Windows XP is now facing a June 30 end, which is the day Microsoft will stop selling the OS to most manufacturers and system builders.
Small resellers who build PCs to order will still be able to obtain copies of XP through January 2009, which is just a few months before XP exits the mainstream support phase. Windows XP Started Edition will be available through June 2010".
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I hope MS continues to receive pressure from customers. If you agree that XP Home/Pro should be sold past June 30th, everyone reading this should sign the petition at http://weblog.infoworld.com/save-xp/ if they haven't already.
Hmm I wonder what happened to decency and morality? Doesn't anyone remember them?
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I guess if you really want to continue to install WinXP you will need to buy copies before then. The real issue is that support will need to go on beyond what was originally projected.
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Another good point, OtheHill.
Hmm I wonder what happened to decency and morality? Doesn't anyone remember them?
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