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Now Hardware Limitations on Low Cost PCs

Techtree News Staff, May 19, 2008 1923 hrs IST

What use is the Windows XP extension till June 30, 2010 with all the hardware limitations on low-cost PCs introduced by Microsoft?

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Microsoft has newly introduced hardware limitations on low-cost PCs -- at least those that want to continue using Windows XP beyond June 30.

We'd reported earlier that new-market segments like low-cost PCs (priced below Rs 20,000) would get an extension for Windows XP till June 30, 2010. However the introduction of hardware limitations serves as a dampener, rendering the extension meaningless -- to a large extent.

Reports suggest Microsoft having asked manufacturers to limit screen size to 10.2-inches, RAM to 1GB, hard disk capacity to 80GB, and processor speeds to 1GHz (with a few exceptions). Guidelines for low-cost PCs to use Windows XP have been set, stating minimum requirements of 500 MHz and 1GHz CPU speed and 2GB to 8GB flash storage.

Microsoft is in a bit of a catch-22 situation with having decided to pull the plug on Windows XP so as to promote its Vista operating system at the same time wanting to mark its presence in the low-cost PC market that Vista cannot entertain because of its high-power requirements.

USER COMMENTS

I am (like many friends of mine) well versed with Windows XP and it suffices my needs in future also (but I wanna use better hardware for better performance only). So, I don't wanna waste my time in learning Vista. And I don't wanna waste my new hardware resources on resource-hungry Vista. So, I do feel this is foul play and an arm-twisting mal-practice by MicroSoft. I request and invite the govt's anti malpractice commission to intervene here to let the consumers get what they want (Windows XP). Else many people (and thus nation) will be forced to waste time and money resources!

by Jay, ND, on May 20, 2008 11:25 AM, Report abuse Reply

All the more reason to switch to linux operated systems. Its not difficult to grasp, doesnt come with the usual windows hassles .. pretty easy to maintain .... regular updates... great bundle of software .. if only hardware manufacturers would open their mind to linux

by MaxAxe, chennai, on May 20, 2008 08:58 AM, Report abuse Reply