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Expect to see Windows 7 Lite by June, 2010
4 comments- TAGS:Linux, Microsoft, nettop, Windows 7, XP
- IT TOPICS:Hardware, Linux, Operating Systems, Software, Windows & Microsoft
Microsoft's recent announcement that it will allow low-cost PC makers to ship computers with XP make it far more likely that Microsoft will deliver a Lite version of Windows 7 --- most likely by June, 2010.
A few days ago, Microsoft announced that it would allow makers of low-cost, not particularly powerful PCs to ship their computers with XP Home Edition. These PCs, commonly called nettops, will be used primarily, according to Microsoft, for "e-mail, accessing the Internet and instant messaging." For details about the announcement, click here.
Microsoft purposely left out the exact specs of these machines. Figure that they'll likely use Intel's Atom processor, have 1 MB to 2 MB of RAM, not particularly large hard disks, no dedicated graphics processor, and possibly no CD or DVD drive. Quite a few PC makers have these kinds of PCs in the works, including Acer, ASUStek, HP, Dell, Lenovo, and others.
Microsoft already allows makers of ultra-lightweight laptops such as the Asus Eee to sell XP. Now it's adding desktops to the mix. XP will be allowed to be sold on both kinds of devices until June, 2010.
As I've blogged about previously, I expect Microsoft to release a Lite version of Windows 7 then, because it will want to get people to upgrade to Windows 7, and not stay with XP forever. Microsoft's most recent announcement makes that all the more likely.
Making it even more likely is that Microsoft may be wrong about the ultimate use of nettops. Even with the nettops' stripped down capabilities, there's no reason they can't run a free office suite like OpenOffice. That means those PCs may be used not just as a second PC, but a primary one for many people who can't afford a more powerful PC.
Microsoft doesn't want to cede that market to Linux. So it will have to allow those PCs to run some version of Windows after June, 2010. Expect that version to be Windows 7 Lite.
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