Microsoft Extends Sales of Windows XP Home for ULPCs Until 2010

Microsoft who once extended the life period of its Windows XP operating system is now going to do it again. The company originally planned to suspend the sale of Windows XP on June 30, 2008, but the big success of all low-cost notebook offerings is forcing Microsoft to further extend the life of XP. Microsoft will now make Windows XP Home available for ultra-low-cost PCs (ULPCs) until June 30, 2010 or one year after the release of the next version of Windows. Microsoft goes on to state that it "Heard from partners and customers that they want Windows broadly available for this new class of devices, because they want the familiarity, compatibility and support only available on the Windows platform." Microsoft also acknowledged that Windows XP makes more sense than Windows Vista for these machines adding, "While Windows Vista provides many benefits, including an easier and more secure user experience, Windows XP Home provides an effective solution on these devices from a performance and cost perspective." Unfortunately, only XP Home will get a reprieve from Microsoft.