Digital Trends

Microsoft has officially extended the lifespan of its Windows XP operating system to support low-cost "nettop" devices, not just low-end notebooks.

Microsoft might want everyone to believe it's a Vista world out there, but it hasn't' been much of a secret that Microsoft has been enabling OEMs to hang on to Windows XP for budget and low-cost notebook computers, like the surprisingly popular Asus Eee and, more recently, the OLPC XO. Now, Microsoft is extending the lifespan of the venerable Windows XP still further to encompass so-called "nettop" devices, which basically amount to ultra low-cost desktop systems geared primarily toward Internet and email usage—like the just-announced Asus Eee Box and MSI's Wind PC. Although Microsoft doesn't name XP specifically—preferring instead to talk about extending "the Windows offering" to this new class of devices, there's no doubt what the company is talking about.

"Customers and partners have made it clear to us that they want Windows on their netbooks and nettops," said corporate VP of Microsoft's OEM division Steven Guggenheimer, in a statement. "We are committed to providing Windows solutions for these devices, helping to ensure a high-quality experience for both our partners and customers."

Microsoft says it is already working with over 20 EOMs on Windows-based netbook and nettop devices, including Lenovo, HP, BenQ, Dell, Quanta, Acer, and (of course) Asus. The company doesn't appear to be specifying hardware configurations that vendors can classify as a nettop PC, and it's not clear what restrictions, if any, would limit OEMs or users from installing XP on more-capable systems, even though Windows XP officially sunsets on June 30.

Microsoft originally extended availability of Windows XP to OEMs on ultra low-cost notebooks intended for use in developing countries. The idea was to let those systems tap into the Microsoft ecosystem of applications and products; in the long run, Microsoft probably figured, more people using Windows means more Windows customers. But now the company is facing additional demand from developed markets, where users are increasingly looking for "companion" products for use in multi-PC homes—and many of those users want those devices to run Windows, but don't see the need to shell out for hardware capable of supporting unneeded Vista features.

Microsoft doesn't mention how long it will continue to offer XP for netbook and nettop devices—although it's widely believed to be 2010, the same deadine previously established for low-cost notebooks—or what sort of support it will receive from the company. However, Microsoft's continued delays in finally putting XP to rest means the company can probably look forward to having to support and update XP up to a decade after it was first released.