Windows XP Lives! (Longer) as Microsoft Confirms Another Reprieve

You had to see this coming (and it was rumored, too), with the popularity of low-cost ultra-portable laptops such as the Asus Eee PC, the OLPC, and the Classmate. Microsoft has given Windows XP another reprieve, but only for a class of devices they call ULCPCs or Ultra-Low-Cost PCs.

In their press release, Microsoft said that Windows XP Home would be available for ULCPCs for one year after the release of the next version of Windows (currently known as Windows 7), or June 30th, 2010, whichever is later.

Of course, Microsoft would love to get ULCPCs on Windows Vista, but the HW on these PCs would be hard pressed to run it. So, rather than risk OEMs running to Linux, Microsoft had little choice.

But Windows XP will still be discontinued at the end of June for mainstream PCs, according to Microsoft's press release. You'll recall that in late September Microsoft extended the original deadline for XP's demise to June 30th of this year, from January 30th.

Given this landscape and after consulting with our partners, apart from today’s announced extension of Windows XP Home for ULCPCs, we are maintaining the timelines we announced in September.

I should also note that there will also be no impact on our technical support plans—mainstream technical support will continue to be available until April 2009 and extended support will continue until April 2014.

Still, this goes to show just how hot the ULCPC (or Netbook, using Intel terminology) market is. And, even if XP continues only in ULCPC form, this announcement makes Windows XP SP3 all the more interesting.