Well folks, we're into the last 30 days that Microsoft will allow OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) people put XP on new machines.
There will be downgrade rights will still be available to some customers, and system builders can ship PCs with XP through January 2009 - but even then, it's still only 6 months away.
UPDATE: Apparently I'm not the only one that hates Vista. This just in: At the Computex trade show that opened today in Taipei, the company said it would allow computer manufacturers to pre-install Windows XP. Home on what it called "net-tops" -- which it defined only as "low-cost desktops" -- through June 30, 2010. Source: ComputerWorld.
I know that there are a bunch of you who are holding out hope that Microsoft will grant a reprieve to PC makers and allow XP distribution beyond the limited time frame.
Don't hold your breath.
Microsoft would be crazy to do it - it's much more their style to force their Vista crap down everyone's throat - if for no other reason then to boost their "units shipped" numbers. Last week, CEO Steve "Stevie" Ballmer coughed up the total number of units shipped: 150 million.
That's not a bad number - but there were over 330 million PCs shipped (minus servers) between Jan 1, 2007 and March 30, 2008. That's roughly 45%.
But that's probably generous. Let's say they shipped on a third of the machines - with the rest going to Linux, Mac, and lots of people with pirated Windows copies. Now if Microsoft has a 92%+ share of the PC marketshare - that equals a bunch of folks who are not upgrading to Vista.
So - OF COURSE! I bet this sounded good at the management meting: "I know - let's STOP shipping the OS they like (or will at least tolerate in relation to crappy Vista) - and FORCE them to use Vista. Our numbers will skyrocket overnight!"
You had better get your new XP machine now while they're hot - or you'll be doomed to Vista until Windows 7 comes out...
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