Another Day With My PC

Oooops! I may have spoken on Vista’s demise quite too soon on my previous article. In my April 16 entry, I have revealed Microsoft’s plan on pulling the plug on its most successful program. Although it’s not yet dependent on any life support system, Windows XP’s days are definitely numbered already.

Plotting XP’s End

I think I didn’t give details as to how and when Bill Gates’ company will cut the life out of XP. Microsoft will still be providing a hefty oxygen tank for its old product in 2008 before slowly letting the air flow out without any plan of replenishing it. It expects XP to suffer its first stroke in 2009 when non-security updates will be put to a halt. The fatal blow would come 6 years later when the company will cut all its ties with the software. Of course, the OS would still run after 2015. However, it would be reckless to stick with it considering that it won’t be updated anymore against any error or threat.

Many were saddened by the news, but weren’t a bit surprised. Everybody was already expecting that Microsoft would soon euthanize XP. The only question was when or how soon. I thought that we already got an answer last week when it was announced that all kinds of support over the OS would be cut by 2015. However, it would seem that Microsoft is not in a hurry to bury XP after all.

Extended CPR

Dell has recently announced that it would still be selling PCs bundled with XP. This is surprising since computer makers are supposed to be solidly one with Microsoft in exclusively promoting Windows Vista. Many were surprised then when Dell backtracked and decided to accommodate the growing clamor for XP machines.

You might suspect that the XP-bundled PCs are either low-end models or hand-me-downs. This is hardly the case. In fact, the new Dell XP PCs are powered by the latest processors. Needless to say, the units could easily handle Vista as if it’s DOS.

What made Dell decide to ditch its original plan of exclusively bundling its PCs with Vista is the growing number of complaints against the new OS. Many consumers are simply not happy with Vista. The popular PC maker is also being more receptive to consumer preference. Aside from offering XP again, it has also announced that it would soon release models bundled with Linux.

Delaying the Inevitable

You may surmise that Microsoft frowned upon Dell’s move. Well, you may have suspected or presumed wrongly. Of course, it’s a dent to the former’s campaign to get Vista into every PC in the world. However, giving its old product a new lease in life wouldn’t harm them. In fact, it’s a perfect opportunity for them to get rid of excess XP stocks rotting in their warehouses.

The news is quite vindicating for Vista critics. They have been emphasizing since day one that Vista has been unreasonably rushed and that it’s just XP sporting a new skin. I totally agree on the former, but I may have to temper my tongue on the latter. While the technology with which Vista is based has some similarities with the one used in XP, it’s definitely a lot different and far more advanced. Your PC’s muscles would not be wasted in Vista, that’s for sure.

I’m glad that an XP revival is already in the making. However, I doubt it if it could be sustained. The fact remains that there’s already a new OS. While it may not have lived up to its expectations, I’m sure that it will win critics over very soon.