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Are Small Cheapo Laptops the Saviors of Windows XP?
Posted by Mark Wilson at 1:00 AM on June 5, 2008
Windows Vista hasn't been adopted joyfully by the masses, but consumers don't always have a say when it comes to the next Windows OS they'll be using. Most of us have to run whatever comes preinstalled on our machine of choice. And according to Microsoft, starting June 30th of this year, that OS will be Windows Vista only.
There is an exception: A rag-tag group of small, cheap rebels that are exploding in popularity. Netbooks, mini-notebooks, ultraportables--whatever you want to call them--are bending the rules and reigniting Windows XP as a manufacturer-supported OS.
How Can They Get Away With It?
You see, Microsoft has a clause in their Vista-only mandate. Knowing—and now openly admitting—that the OS is far more taxing on a system than XP, Microsoft has agreed to allow makers of "ultralow-cost PCs" to continue selling XP computers until 2010. And while Microsoft will only offer major support for the platform through 2009, limited support will be available for XP until 2014. Essentially, it's a loophole that Microsoft created for an entire new class of computers like the Asus Eee PC.
Will This Really Matter?
The Asus Eee was a hit, already moving over 1 million units. And since then, countless other similar "ultralow-cost PCs" have been announced for the market by major manufacturers. Originally for the Eee PC (and others like OLPC's XO laptop) a Linux OS sufficed. But consumer demand for a more familiar operating system led to the adoption of XP. Now, most of these mini-notebooks offer an XP option right out of the gate, at an added cost.
Aside from the many small to medium manufacturers, the two biggest PC manufacturers, Dell and HP, have both jumped onto the mini laptop bandwagon. Here's where it gets interesting: HP's Mini Note does not support XP drivers natively, only Vista and Linux, and we don't know what OSs Dell will offer. But HP's system certainly qualifies for the exemption category because of its Via chipset, and Dell's very well might, too. If mini-notebooks continue to sell at the rate they're being produced, these big companies will definitely play a factor as to whether or not it's XP or Vista that's on them.
Still, the upstarts have the momentum. XP-loving Asus expects to sell 10 million Eees in 2009 when the mini-notebook market is anticipated to reach 20-30 million units sold, says Reuters. That's a lot of computers ready for XP.
So What's The Catch?
Microsoft was clever. After announcing its intent to support mini-notebooks, it clarified (read: limited) the specs on "ultralow-cost PCs." Requirements include nothing bigger than a 10-inch screen (not a problem), limits on processor speeds (variable by make/model), a cap at 1GB of RAM and a limit on storage. So far, the RAM and storage rules have both been broken by Asus already. And it's probably only a matter of time before Atom processors top their current (released) speeds of 1.6Ghz and create yet another exception to Microsoft's rulebook.
It will be interesting how XP popularity plays out from here--a game that's pretty much controlled by Microsoft at this point. But Microsoft is certainly allowing companies fudge the rules time and time again, probably because in the eyes of Ballmer and Gates, it sure beats some guy running Linux.
Additional Sources: [CNET, ZDNET Asia, Reuters]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Stewart
Posted October 8, 2008 12:41 PM
thats like putting a huyndia motor in a Comodore and expecting no one to tinker with the motor to get more power, I think microsoft should bite the bullet and admit vista sucks and allow Xp to keep going, till they finally work out the bugs
BoinK
Posted 1:50 AM 5/6/08
Of course they'll let manufacturers "bend rules" to sell more copies. In case you guys didn't know, Microsoft main objective is to make money. If that means offering support for XP for a bit longer to sell thousands upon thousands of copies they'll gladly do it. It's just business, they're not the devil.
BoinK
ps61318
Posted 1:48 AM 5/6/08
@Rabid Penguin: ...and that is what distinguishes we who come here to keep up with new stuff and share ideas, from those who don't. We put up with things like "flashed my BIOS" and waiting for and installing "working drivers."
Ordinary Joe Users are not going to do that. Good for my tech support consulting business, but bad for any other kind of business. Know what I'm saying?
ps61318
flyboy
Posted 1:46 AM 5/6/08
@mikecoscia: many here don't have it to know.
its getting less trashed these days for sure. but think of the children!!
flyboy
ps61318
Posted 1:45 AM 5/6/08
@nwaringa: I like chopped liver.
Other than that, multiple mega-dittoes @strider_mt2k in particular.
ps61318
Rabid Penguin
Posted 1:43 AM 5/6/08
@mikecoscia: And that's one of it's [Vista's] major problems (hardware compatibility)... or rather was. When I first got Vista it wouldn't even install on my "Vista Ready" computer. I haven't really had an issues since I flashed my BIOS and they finally released a working driver though.
Rabid Penguin
mikecoscia
Posted 1:37 AM 5/6/08
Whats with all the Vista trashing. I have been using it since launch and not had a single issue. It's a great OS, those with issues should check hardware and driver compatibility.
mikecoscia
nwaringa
Posted 1:34 AM 5/6/08
@sisedi: I totally agree. Without Vista and with a solid OS in its place.... XP might have looked like chopped liver.
nwaringa
TheCyberBob
Posted 1:34 AM 5/6/08
@flyboy: 32bit you mean.
I run WinXP 64bit Pro at home and it runs... alright... There are a few things that are a bit phukt up. Such as I have a media PC which I sometimes stream videos over my network to my desktop while I'm working... There's a BSOD in 10minutes. iTunes will not install on WinXP 64bit (there is a hack around this as there is no real reason why it shouldn't work but it does involve rewritting the msi file for iTunes a bit). Primarily it's a software compatibility issue but still it's enough to make you want to rip your hair out at times.
TheCyberBob
rdldr1
Posted 1:25 AM 5/6/08
@sisedi: I second that.
rdldr1
Ariel_Wollinger
Posted 1:23 AM 5/6/08
@sisedi: ???
Ariel_Wollinger
aec007
Posted 1:23 AM 5/6/08
"But consumer demand for a more familiar operating system "
NOPE!
Let's face it, people what to use Windows because they want to use the same apps they normally use and work very well. They do not want to buy similar software on another OS if they already have it.
XP is less taxing on the system than Vista. Then again I've seen 1 Ghz PC's runing Vista Basic with excellent performance. And Vista Basic is just as good as XP home.
After working with Vista for over a year now, I would much rather use Vista Basic on a UMPC than XP.
aec007
sisedi
Posted 1:22 AM 5/6/08
Vista is XP's savior.
sisedi
impliedsurprise
Posted 1:21 AM 5/6/08
I had Windows ME....on my Compaq Desktop computer back in college.
A match made in hell.
It took 4 days of tech support to make it even usable, and then a another month to ship the parts back.
ended up upgrading to XP a year later which solved a lot of the blue screen problems...
impliedsurprise
Gann
Posted 1:20 AM 5/6/08
Remember when New Coke came out to disguise CocaCola's shift from sugar to hfcs? I can't shake the feeling that Vista is a similar marketing ploy, intended to fail so that Windows 7 looks stellar in comparison so consumers won't notice the change to ?.
Gann
craig
Posted 1:16 AM 5/6/08
I've been saying this for a while now: XP will remain as long as it needs to, and the only thing that will supplant it is if Windows 7 can be pared down to run on lightweight hardware as well as, if not better than, XP does. At this point, Vista is the new Windows ME.
craig
strider_mt2k
Posted 1:15 AM 5/6/08
Why not?
After all this time it's stable, it can be paired down/tweaked, and there are tons of programs.
After my experimenting I realize that it works for me.
That isn't going to stop me from trying to learn more about Linux, but as a day-to-day OS it's something I can live with quite well.
strider_mt2k
aznplayer213
Posted 1:09 AM 5/6/08
lol laptops doesn't need a savior....xp will always t-bag vista....
Hi, i can watch my hd porn on xp rite! if not....
aznplayer213
nwaringa
Posted 1:07 AM 5/6/08
XP is to mini laptops as Vista is to blue screens.
nwaringa
Razta
Posted 1:06 AM 5/6/08
My work still can't move to vista because our business apps do not run on it.
Razta
flyboy
Posted 1:04 AM 5/6/08
Win XP pro 64 bit.
is it that bad? the 34 bit i'm using is set up like Aqua/ OSX, icons, look/ feel, sound, etc.
- and when is that stripped down version coming out?
flyboy
Ariel_Wollinger
Posted 1:01 AM 5/6/08
only vista needs saviors...
Ariel_Wollinger
WD40
Posted 2:14 AM 5/6/08
When they remove the ability to install XP, then and only then I would be forced to use Vista. Either way I don't buy anything pre-made since after all I build my own machines. The only exception will be laptops because I just don't want to mess with them, in which case I will just format Vista the second I get my hands on it and install XP.
For the people who buy PCs from companies like Dell & others, well I'm sorry for you.
WD40
DisposableInterloper
Posted 2:11 AM 5/6/08
What about Windows Mobile 7? It's aimed at everything from PDAs to ultra low-cost PCs, isn't it?
@Gann:
I thought the New Coke was put out based on research that showed people like syrupy sweet soda over soda with more flavor. The only reason it tanked is because Coca-Cola was such a strong brand that people hated the New Coke before even trying it.
DisposableInterloper
ripfire4
Posted 1:59 AM 5/6/08
@aec007: I agree that Vista Basic could run in place of XP. In fact, why don't I see any initiative of this happening?
ripfire4
Rabid Penguin
Posted 1:58 AM 5/6/08
@ps61318: That's a very good point. Sometimes I think everyone knows how to do those things, but you're right. I don't think Vista has a lot of those same problems anymore though.
Rabid Penguin
flyboy
Posted 1:53 AM 5/6/08
@BoinK: Headline message to companies:
Don't make money - it's bad.
flyboy
ripfire4
Posted 1:52 AM 5/6/08
@TheCyberBob: I have a solution to that. Don't run the 64bit version. I only had problems one after another with that. Stick to 32bit; there's no need for a 64bit especially when used as a media PC.
The only workable 64bit OS I found is Vista which had less problems.
ripfire4
x0mrgrinch0x
Posted 2:41 AM 5/6/08
@mikecoscia: because they have 6 year old computers and they are cheap bastards and dont want to buy new hardware so they bitch about new shit
x0mrgrinch0x
M.A.S.
Posted 2:41 AM 5/6/08
Vista does have its issues. I have a card reader on my machine that still does not work, and it came pre-installed on this dell system. Also we have constant software hangups, especially with Outlook 07. That is inexcusable from MS since they produced everything.
That being said I don't see what the Vista Kernel could not run on one of these little laptops with a modified UI. It is Vista's UI that is the system hog after all and the Vista kernel itself does have some great security upgrades over XP.
M.A.S.
CartmanSPC
Posted 2:24 AM 5/6/08
I want to run Vista 64 bit on any new sub-notebook...Hard to go back to XP now that im used to Vista...(guess because I have had absolutely no problems with it).
CartmanSPC
tanya.peacock
Posted 2:20 AM 5/6/08
I've been using Vista since I bought my new laptop and haven't had a problem really. Though I know a friend who was in the same situation and his Vista seemed like it was eating hard drive space. I don't know if that ever stopped.
Anyway, I'm just waiting on Microsoft to go on and support XP through Windows 7 because of all of these loopholes. They may as well. Probably won't though, Microsoft likes their money like they like cheap whores.
tanya.peacock
Monty
Posted 3:10 AM 5/6/08
There is a real marketing opportunity for someone here. Come up with the cheapest "PC" you can, running perhaps on an old 486 processor and including a 2.5" screen and flash memory. Get that piece of crap (that no one will actually use) under $50 to manufacture, and include a license for Windows XP with it.
Then, everyone is happy. Microsoft sells quality workstations with Vista and increases their Vista numbers, while everyone can continue to buy Windows XP (including crappy hardware to disguise selling a license of XP) to install it on said quality workstations. Everyone wins!
Or, conversely -- Microsoft could just let us continue to buy computers with Windows XP. But, that would not be nearly as much fun.
Monty
wjousts
Posted 2:51 AM 5/6/08
@DisposableInterloper: Coca-Cola was such a strong brand that people hated the New Coke before even trying it.
Ironically, sounds a lot like Vista.
wjousts
flyboy
Posted 3:28 AM 5/6/08
@geowrian: can't they be late on the cut off date - like they are on everything else?
flyboy
geowrian
Posted 3:18 AM 5/6/08
@WD40: You're right...with laptops there is no real choice on the pre-installed OS. Even with home built PCs, however, you won't be able to legally purchase XP after the cut-off date. This is a HUGE problem for me as a systems administrator for a university. We have a few boxes with important, specialized software that doesn't work with Vista and isn't designed for server OSes. Way to give the people a choice...force us to get the new version of the OS regardless of it's compatibility, reliability, performance, etc.
geowrian
Kaiser-Machead
Posted 4:08 AM 5/6/08
@WD40: By then, Vista would probably be on an accelerated journey towards obsolescence with Windows 7.
Kaiser-Machead
HeartBurnKid
Posted 4:31 AM 5/6/08
@wjousts: Only if you know absolutely nothing about either one.
There's a difference between bitching because the flavor's going to be different, and bitching because, say, the video driver model is designed to disallow you from watching stuff you paid for if your equipment doesn't support the copy protection du jour.
HeartBurnKid
ps61318
Posted 5:03 AM 5/6/08
@wjousts: Well, do you remember the picture they had on MS website, for a long time I believe, before Vista launched? It as a picture of some people standing an top of an escarpment overlooking a valley far below - but the valley was obscured by clouds.
Now, the point was that this was a beautiful "vista" that the people were viewing. But to me (and maybe only me, but I'm not that imaginative so others must have thought of this) it screamed "vaporware" - clouds==vapor, of course.
That image predisposed me against Vista. Again I may be unique.
ps61318
videoCWK
Posted 4:56 AM 5/6/08
Actually, Vista is the savior of XP.
videoCWK
CruJones
Posted 4:55 AM 5/6/08
You can disagree with me for days, I don't care. Vista is a complete and utter nightmare for IT to administrate. It might be pretty, eye candy for the average user but that OS alone is causing so much more work for our IT staff. And we're thrilled to see Windows Server 2008 looks just like Vista!!! Geez... looks like our testing of running Windows apps via Wine on Linux is about to pay off!
CruJones
fly boy
Posted 4:37 AM 5/6/08
@TM-Oliveira: it was the OS you saw about but never actually tried. Thank goodness.
fly boy
TM-Oliveira
Posted 4:34 AM 5/6/08
Couldn't agree more with Craig, Vista is the new Windows ME. Man, that was one crappy OS.
TM-Oliveira
nutbastard
Posted 5:53 AM 5/6/08
@Sam_Zebian:
What, you want to be miserable on-the-go, too?
nutbastard
Sam_Zebian
Posted 5:28 AM 5/6/08
XP! Screw that, when I get my EEE 10000 (If it really does cost $625 for the 10" 40GB SSD version), I'm going to put vista basic on it, if not then I'm still putting Vista basic on the 901 if I get that instead.
Sam_Zebian
phryed
Posted 5:23 AM 5/6/08
i use both consistently, and while i don't have many real problems with vista, it just seems slower. And since vista offers me no real benefits, i choose to use XP as my primary OS.
phryed
wjousts
Posted 6:09 AM 5/6/08
@HeartBurnKid: Since flavor is the only thing Coke's got going for it (why else would you chose it over water?), I'd say New Coke vs Classic is much more significant that a few, mostly resolved now, video driver issues with Vista vs XP.
The only problem I've had with Vista is that Scarface doesn't work.
wjousts
Kaiser-Machead
Posted 6:41 AM 5/6/08
@Sam_Zebian: Masochism isn't healthy.
Kaiser-Machead
Aaron Martin-Colby
Posted 8:05 AM 5/6/08
Microsoft should just be happy people want their products and ride the wave. Marketing two OS's isn't necessarily bad. I think they could make a lot of money.
Aaron Martin-Colby
jrghoull
Posted 9:10 AM 5/6/08
2 things
one...i never tried new coke, but, if it really tasted how it was described above then well...when i was in india they had pepsi, only it was alot sweeter than it is here. i absolutely loved it and drank it damn near every day (normally i only have a couple of sodas a year). So i probably would've really liked new coke
@Sam_Zebian: even if vista runs on that thing, its not going to run well
i've had some problems with vista...now, not so much. some of the stuff i really dont like about it (for instance it seems to have to load up my music folder every time i open it) and its been kinda slow in general. has gotten better though. IMO its a pretty okay OS at this point...but i recognize that there are still alot of departments that it fails/lacks in
one Q i have is what happens when windows 7 comes out? if it comes out when they are saying right now it is coming out than wont it be a little earlier than they usually come out? i'm just saying...software vendors, IT people, etc, are still adapting to vista...in another year things should be a bit better...but then a new one comes out? I think if MS really does skip over vista (like they appear to be trying to ) then they need to offer some sort of rebate or something. Otherwise alot of people are going to have outdated OSes alot sonner than they realize.
jrghoull
geowrian
Posted 10:48 AM 5/6/08
@fly boy: Yes, but as likely as that is, it's not something I should be planning installs and upgrades around.
geowrian
x23
Posted 5:01 AM 6/6/08
@Gann: you mean this clever marketing ploy? [www.snopes.com]
FYI... don't drink coke after eating pop rocks. the combo will make your stomach explode! OMG.
x23