Windows XPiration is at hand

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Low-cost PC market
Lower-cost PCs, which sell for between $300 and $500, represent a growing market, one that originally was aimed at new PC users in developing countries, as well as students, but now includes those who simply want a basic computer, or a second or third PC for the household.

The computers have few audio and video bells and whistles, but are considered adequate for basic tasks such as e-mail and surfing the Internet.

Many of the devices — sometimes referred to as nettops, netbooks or ultra-low-cost PCs — generally come with little memory, storage and small screen sizes of 7 to 10 inches. Many come with Linux operating system installed.

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Microsoft said earlier this month it is looking to expand its role in the market, and is working with more than 20 manufacturers, including Asus, which makes the low-cost Eee PC, as well as Dell, HP, Lenovo and Quanta, to provide both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Starter Edition on such computers.

In a recent letter to Windows customers posted on Microsoft’s site, Bill Veghte, senior vice-president, explained “important progress” that has been made with Vista.

When the operating system went on the market, “many hardware drivers and applications needed to be updated, and while the majority worked well when we launched Windows Vista, some key applications and drivers were not yet available,” Veghte wrote. “Since then, Microsoft and its industry partners have been hard at work to address compatibility issues and now the situation is fundamentally different.”

He also noted Vista Service Pack 1, released this spring, provides improved “performance, compatibility and reliability.”

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