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Microsoft will extend life of Windows XP - Idea: Dell, make sure they let you put it on your computers.

270 points posted to Operating Systems by jmxz Apr 4

Interesting CNet article:
Microsoft will extend life of Windows XP--again


April 3, 2008 11:17 AM PDT

As I predicted last week, Microsoft has decided to extend the life of Windows XP, although[ some gotcha's ...]

Microsoft will give PC makers the option of using Windows XP or Vista on [some models]

...The decision to discontinue Windows XP might have driven even more device makers into the hands of Linux, hence the extension.


Yeah, I know that so far Microsoft only announced they'll be letting manufacturers do this on low-end computers.

But Dell, for your customers, ask them to make it available on your higher end models as well.

phubert
Apr 4		 Since the extension is ONLY for the tiny systems... well, I can say our own site (govt/business) isn't interested in moving to Vista... MS needs to wise up quickly (then again, WE need to wise up and move to LINUX!!!!!)
fargo
Apr 4		 can gamers use linux? otherwise it would not be a good MOVE!
phubert
Apr 4		 so, who plays games?????? but, yes, there has been expansion of gaming into Linux and I believe WINE has also helped when it comes to running native Windows games... just never an interest of mine... you'd have to speak with Linux users who also do games for a better answer...
fargo
Apr 4		 only a few million people play games nothing to get excited about, I don't think linux is my flavor
phubert
Apr 4		 Nothing wrong with that, fargo. Just as games aren't my flavor. I've never understood sysadmins who are gamers... I find the games boring _very_ quickly. For me, it's 'seen one, seen 'em all' but always to each their own. I also suspect real gamers buy higher-margin systems, so they have a higher value to the PC builders.
mkmaster78
Apr 4		 @phubert: While i like wine and the functionality it presents, it is not a replacement for Windows by any means. It cannot run all Windows apps, or even at native speeds. Plus the average user doesn't want to spend time configuring some application so that another application will work when it ran without any configuration on Windows. That's big reason why I still won't use Linux as my main system, all my games and really good apps are Windows apps that won't run on Linux, nor are there decent replacements for them on it.
phubert
Apr 4		 Yes, I realize that mkmaster78, but those who have used it are better sources of information than I.

And, I really _don't_ fail to realize that there are many different interests and needs and _preferences_ expressed here.

Thanks for your comment!
jervis961
Apr 4		 Hmm the next version of windows is coming soon?!?!

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/windows-7-to-arrive-next-year-says-bill-ga...
jmxz
Apr 4		 @jervis961: "windows-7"

Indeed! I posted that rumor here earlier with a Idea requesting Dell keep XP til it appears and a lot of people were skeptical.

I think they're going to make it - mainly since it seems a better approach they're taking this time (not trying to add lots of bloat like they did with Vista).
jervis961
Apr 4		 I guess this makes Vista the second coming of BOB?
kenjennings
Apr 4		 BOB was the penultimate user interface! It was the perfect OS for everyone! The product's termination was a critical blow to the IT industry which has never fully recovered! Umm, is it too late for April Fool's Jokes?
jmxz
Apr 4		 Perhaps it was all a clever plan of Microsoft's.

Vista set the bar so low for WIn7 that even if it's only half-way between XP and ME people will love it because it's great in comparison to Vista.
hal2001
Apr 5		 I would think companies the size of Dell or HP could get Microsoft to extend Windows XP Pro sales on to there mid-upper tier computer lines, the companies would make profits and keep customers. Vista was DEAD on delivery, and Windows 7 is already an April fools joke.
jmxz
Apr 5		 @hal2001: "I would think companies the size of Dell or HP could get Microsoft to extend Windows XP"

Indeed - I think that with Vista's embarrassments, Microsoft needs Dell and HP more than Dell and HP need Microsoft. Surely they can negotiate whatever they want from Microsoft.

And for those that can't believe that Microsoft needs Dell more than Dell needs Microsoft - sure it'd be a short term hit - but compare Dell's recent progress to those computer companies who keep Microsoft at arms length:


Why this difference?

Microsoft sucks all the profit out of a Dell computer by supplying the most profitable component (the software). If Dell can break free of Microsoft, Dell will get to keep some of this profit for themselves. And Microsoft knows that, and will do anything to keep Dell - including negotiating with them about XP or whatever else Dell's customers need.
jmxz
Apr 5		 I wrote:

Microsoft sucks all the profit out of a Dell computer by supplying the most profitable component (the software). If Dell can break free of Microsoft, Dell will get to keep some of this profit for themselves


And here's a reference backing that up
Microsoft has profit margins in the 30% range. Intel, the guys who sell the chip are in the 15% range while companies like Dell, Asus, Acer, and others are down in the 5% range. ... IBM understood this so well they exited the PC manufacturing business entirely selling it to Lenovo.
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