May 13th, 2008

Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops

Posted by John Morris @ 3:45 am

Categories: Desktops, Notebooks, PCs, Peripherals, and Software

Tags: Linux, PC, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Corp., Laptop Computer, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP, Operating Systems, Software, John Morris

Details of Microsoft’s recently announced plan to extend the life of Windows XP for ultra low-cost PCs are trickling out. IDG News got its hands on what it says are Microsoft documents outlining the program for PC manufacturers.

Until now, the big question was: What exactly defines an ultra low-cost PC? According to the documents, Windows XP Home will only be available on systems with the following specs:

A 1GHz or slower single-core processor (with exceptions for the Via C7 and Intel Atom N270)
Up to 1GB of memory
Hard drives up to 80GB
Displays that are 10.2 inches or smaller
No touch-screen

For companies manufacturing PCs that meet these specs, Windows XP will be available for $26 in emerging markets and $32 in developed markets, though a marketing agreement knocks another $10 off the price.

Ultra low-cost PCs pose a dilemma for Microsoft and PC manufacturers. Windows Vista won’t run on most–though not all–of them, and it costs too much anyway. But a freely-available, cheap Windows XP might cannibalize sales of traditional budget PCs with the full-priced version of Windows Vista. The narrowly-defined Windows XP extension seems designed to get around those issues, and to prevent Linux from gaining a toehold on the desktop.

The cut-off date for selling Windows XP on all other desktops and laptops is still June 30, though many manufacturers will continue to sell Vista systems with downgrades to Windows XP. Reading between the lines of Bill Gates’ recent speeches, Ars Technica concludes Microsoft learned from mistakes in Vista, and will make Windows 7 all about performance.

Related: The Asus Eee PC 900 is now shipping in both Windows XP and Linux versions. Here are some of the first full reviews:

John Morris is a former executive editor at CNET Networks and senior editor at PC Magazine. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

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It won't be the DoJ: The US institutions has shown themselves to be for sale to
the highest bidder, and MS has plenty of money. I'd expect
nothing to change.

The EC competition laws are proving to be more
problematic:-)... (Read the rest); Posted by: Richard Flude Posted on: 06/02/08 You are currently: a Guest | Log in | Terms of Use

How in the heck did you reach that conclusion? Prognosticator | 05/13/08

Reports from the Field Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

They are out of stock because ... mwagner@... | 05/13/08

"'make room' for Linux" jacarter3 | 05/13/08

How many times.... April May | 05/13/08

Fact is that the MacBookPro jorjitop | 05/14/08

If you're so tired jacarter3 | 05/15/08

Where do you get deals on Macs? April May | 05/19/08

You're looking now jacarter3 | 05/20/08

RE: Where do you get deals on Macs? devlin_X | 05/31/08

Actually, I think anyone trying to run XP on an EEE PC is certifiable drprodny | 05/14/08

This is good? Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

Who's fault is that? ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Just the facts, Ma'am Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

There goes that credability! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Correction, that is credibility(nt) ShadeTree | 05/13/08

No conspiracy theory Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

Well then you should ..... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

The major retailer you're talking about is Wal Mart, mustangj36@... | 05/13/08

Wrong store Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

Best Buy never offered a Linux machine .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Sounds like you got fed a line of c***. mustangj36@... | 05/13/08

You made it sound like ALL retailers. Chippolus | 05/13/08

@ mustang36 and Chippolus..If only things were that simple..... LazLong | 05/13/08

Actually No.. LazLong | 05/13/08

Is this just speculation on your part or do you mustangj36@... | 05/13/08

I can tell you My Experience. LazLong | 05/13/08

How does Best Buy's decisions... April May | 05/13/08

@AprilMay..... Of course it is their decision... LazLong | 05/13/08

stop making up horror stories Ole Man | 05/13/08

MS is just making available what more people want. kwacka | 05/15/08

MS can't block Linux jhorvatic@... | 05/13/08

Report from the field.... April May | 05/13/08

both for sale, at the same time, one clearly posted as a linux OS Ole Man | 05/13/08

Message has been deleted. drprodny | 05/14/08

Use Linux to Protect Your Freedom hamobu | 05/13/08

That wooshing sound you just heard ..... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Wrong as usual Chad_z | 05/13/08

You are wrong as usual! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Don't forget... techboy_z | 05/13/08

Negroponte wants MS's money. He NEEDS mustangj36@... | 05/13/08

Not what he said at all. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Wow! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Get it RIGHT! Sheesh. Wolfie2K3 | 05/13/08

With the release of the Intel Classmate ... mwagner@... | 05/13/08

Is there any evidence that Intel will finally release the Classmate??? DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

It will be released. It's already been sold, mustangj36@... | 05/13/08

The ultra low-cost devices are part of the equation mystic100 | 05/14/08

Just like the Mafia reedjjjr | 05/13/08

They don't promote PCs .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Of course they don't! Ole Man | 05/13/08

I see you're are just as irrational .... ShadeTree | 05/14/08

Not seeing a train........ Ole Man | 05/14/08

Colorfull but not .... ShadeTree | 05/16/08

Thank the Heavens! Ole Man | 05/18/08

You must be suffering from Microsoft myopia hamobu | 05/13/08

You must have Linux Astigmatism ShadeTree | 05/13/08

I have a bridge to sell to you hamobu | 05/13/08

You still don't get it. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Now you are just being obstinate. hamobu | 05/14/08

"if IBM in the 80's tried to limit..." jacarter3 | 05/13/08

IBM PC BIOS Henry Miller | 05/13/08

Actually, I believe they did... NetArch. | 05/13/08

I didn't say they didn't have to re-write it. Henry Miller | 05/14/08

They still had to rewrite it. jacarter3 | 05/13/08

Yes, the assembler-language code was printed in the manual. Henry Miller | 05/14/08

It was the "LICENSE" Ole Man | 05/13/08

Linux: Yes - Microsoft: zip rktompsett | 05/13/08

One never "upgrades" to a Microsoft product. (nt) Henry Miller | 05/13/08

All ready done that jacarter3 | 05/13/08

You're such a tool! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

They do when they desperate for adoption jacarter3 | 05/13/08

Convenient! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Read your Partner agreement vulpine@... | 05/13/08

These have no marking to indicate jacarter3 | 05/15/08

Even more relevent is .... ShadeTree | 05/16/08

RED LETTER DAY!!! Shady is jacarter3 | 05/19/08

MS, doing what it can to survive. devlin_X | 05/31/08

"Where would we be today..." vulpine@... | 05/13/08

If IBM demanded exclusivity... Wolfie2K3 | 05/13/08

Watch Microsoft backtrack again... MGP2 | 05/13/08

So? mwagner@... | 05/13/08

Vista costs to much for these price points, and, would turn a rocket into a DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

I think you missed my point.... MGP2 | 05/13/08

You didn't bring up "Vista Premium-Ready" did you? LOL devlin_X | 05/31/08

Very good point. MS will have to be continually revising the specs, trying DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

Unless hamobu | 05/13/08

That is assuming that they can keep other people selling the EeePC with DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops akaltman@... | 05/13/08

No it is the author .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

MS Dictionary: compete = eliminate kozmcrae | 05/13/08

Really? ShadeTree | 05/13/08

"MS competes" = oxymoron vulpine@... | 05/13/08

I almost spit coffee al over my keyboard. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

If you've got a thousand shares Ole Man | 05/13/08

Not only have you demonstrated a .... ShadeTree | 05/14/08

The time frame was explicit Ole Man | 05/14/08

Let me try and ... ShadeTree | 05/16/08

Now I see Ole Man | 05/18/08

They come only after Linux shows them up kingttx | 05/14/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops Quebec-french | 05/13/08

Microsoft Can't block users easily Starman35 | 05/13/08

well personally i follow usa presidency race Quebec-french | 05/13/08

And what evidence to you have that Obama .... mrlinux | 05/13/08

The DoJ already missed that opportunity ... mwagner@... | 05/13/08

yes you are right Quebec-french | 05/13/08

If you mean ... zoroaster | 05/14/08

It won't be the DoJ Richard Flude | 06/02/08

... Linux User 147560 | 05/14/08

Block? Tim Patterson | 05/13/08

To answer your question Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

Not so true.. Tim Patterson | 05/13/08

Good point, MS may want to block Linux, but, they may not have success. DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

Was designed to get clicks. No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/13/08

Microsoft is making new customers for Apple (again) pdavis@... | 05/13/08

off Topic, Nonsensical and wrong! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Not so off topic. Apple Makes the iPhone and iPod Touch, AND OSX would fly DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

Not relevent at all. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Point is that OSX would run VERY well on this level of hardare, Vista, NO. DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

No, the point is it won't .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Very good points, but, we WOULD like to see a release OSX for Eee PC, or DonnieBoy | 05/13/08

Don't hold your breath! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

How? with an Anti-Virus software wink

n0neXn0ne | 05/13/08

More Check -Out line headlines Zeddd | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops ceh4702 | 05/13/08

"if you agree not to sell laptops with Linux on them" jacarter3 | 05/13/08

No such language exists .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

That you know of [nt] jacarter3 | 05/13/08

Since I work .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

No - for several reasons jacarter3 | 05/13/08

Let me adress your points! ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Shade, does your OEM also make ULCPCs? Zogg | 05/15/08

One OEM? How many OEMs are there? Ole Man | 05/13/08

If you think Microsoft has a different contract .... ShadeTree | 05/14/08

That's quite a feat Ole Man | 05/14/08

How about just 2 contracts? Zogg | 05/15/08

All the contracts no matter which ..... ShadeTree | 05/16/08

I was not the one bragging about reading all Microsoft's contracts Ole Man | 05/18/08

They used to do that Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

And you know this because? ShadeTree | 05/13/08

NDA Not Always applicable. hamobu | 05/13/08

Not divulging the terms of a ..... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Wrong. alaniane@... | 05/13/08

The activity has to be illegal. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

I was replying to your comment alaniane@... | 05/13/08

Public records Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

Where is the link .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Why would you need a link? zkiwi | 05/13/08

Another part heard from. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Backed against the wall Ole Man | 05/13/08

Touchy aren't you... zkiwi | 05/13/08

re: Another part heard from. none none | 05/14/08

re: None None ShadeTree | 05/16/08

re: They used to do that none none | 05/14/08

Wrong. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops richallcorn | 05/13/08

Ever ran a system with XP on those specs? neonoid16 | 05/13/08

I've got XP Pro on a system like that voska1 | 05/13/08

I ran XP Pro for six years on an 866MHz ... mwagner@... | 05/13/08

the questions is, who you recomend it? n0neXn0ne | 05/19/08

correction: "would you" (nt) n0neXn0ne | 05/19/08

I ran Winows 2000 for years on much better systems jacarter3 | 05/13/08

I run one XP system with a lot less than that wolf_z | 05/13/08

Questions Jim.Callahan | 05/13/08

Here are some answers ... mwagner@... | 05/13/08

you have all the freedom you need Ole Man | 05/13/08

MS Business model Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops Loverock Davidson | 05/13/08

I can only see this as a good thing. Ole Man | 05/13/08

And a 1 and a 2 kozmcrae | 05/14/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops Chiatzu | 05/13/08

the headline of this article is VERY misleading alexinalexandria | 05/13/08

A "vat majority" of businesses ... mwagner@... | 05/13/08

John, you so smart.... NOT Narg | 05/13/08

sevenOS : vhat v9 see 9s vhat 9s stored 9n memor9 sevenfon | 05/13/08

So What! These are like old early Pentium IV laptops but with 10" screens GiveMeGizmos | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops hamobu | 05/13/08

Funny storm14k | 05/13/08

Titile should be: ASUS calls on Microsoft to SAVE Laptop Project pcguy777 | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops Ashtonian | 05/13/08

Linux plays DVD's great! LazLong | 05/13/08

Yes, COMPETITION is GOOD and EVERYONE benefits. No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/13/08

Where are all the posts agreeing that COMPETITION is good No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/13/08

There's one right beneath yours in case you haven't noticed ... George Mitchell | 05/13/08

Competition is good. sysop-dr | 05/16/08

Good for Linux and good for consumers ... George Mitchell | 05/13/08

Smack on the noggin Ole Man | 05/13/08

ShadeTree 20 posts on just one page Chad_z | 05/13/08

You had enough time .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops is working against themselves irgaloot@... | 05/13/08

They put a squeeze play on themselves. TripleII | 05/13/08

The requirements for Vista are higher .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Well, agree to disagree. TripleII | 05/13/08

Then why are Microsoft trotting out restrictions? zkiwi | 05/13/08

Moronic question. ShadeTree | 05/16/08

And the License......... Ole Man | 05/13/08

You should try reading the article. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

You should think. irgaloot@... | 05/13/08

I did think .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

no... Brissietex | 05/13/08

The spec matches what these devices .... ShadeTree | 05/13/08

Microsoft must be so used to limiting "users" Ole Man | 05/13/08

Actually there used to enabling users. ShadeTree | 05/16/08

think about it... Brissietex | 05/14/08

If the UKPCs have higher specs in the .... ShadeTree | 05/16/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops atari8bit@... | 05/13/08

The answer is no. ShadeTree | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops zoroaster | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops cymru999 | 05/13/08

You don't want much, do you? Ole Man | 05/13/08

Linux blocks Linux on laptops tonymcs@... | 05/13/08

Grabbing at straws! Ole Man | 05/13/08

RE: Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops atari8bit@... | 05/14/08

What do you think?

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Laptops & Desktops

John Morris & Sean Portnoy

May 13th, 2008

Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops

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Microsoft's plan to block Linux on laptops

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