March 12th, 2009
Will Microsoft port Windows to an Arm-based OLPC laptop?
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) chief Nicholas Negroponte is hinting that the project is leaning strongly toward dumping x86 processors in favor of lower-power Arm-based ones for the next-generation XO-2 laptops. There’s one problem: At least as Arm and Windows currently exist, a full version of Windows is unlikely to load on an Arm-based machine.
From a report on the Good Gear Guide (which I saw via OSnews):
“As with the XO-1, OLPC wants to offer a dual-boot option on XO-2 where users can choose to load either Linux or a full Windows OS. While Arm processors can run Windows Mobile operating systems, they can’t run a full Windows OS.
“‘Like many, we are urging Microsoft to make Windows — not Windows Mobile — available on the Arm. This is a complex question for them,’ Negroponte said.”
According to the article, the OLPC is in talks with Microsoft to make a full version of Windows available for the XO-2s, which are still 18 months or so away from release.
I asked Microsoft about the report and received the following statement from a spokesperson:
“At this point in time, Microsoft’s plan is to offer a quality Windows experience on the current XO device and have no further information. Microsoft is not commenting on any future plans with regard to OLPC, nor does it comment on speculation.”
I also asked if Negroponte’s characterization of discussions with Microsoft was accurate. No word back on that one.
In the past, deciphering Microsoft’s intentions regarding OLPC has been a complex task. Typically,
1. OLPC chief Nicolas Negroponte publicly announces what Microsoft will or won’t do
2. Microsoft declines to comment
3. Microsoft subsequently decides to comment and often contradicts Negroponte’s claims
4. Microsoft ends up doing, to a large extent, what Negroponte said it would
What do you think will happen with the XO-2, given MIcrosoft’s growing interest in making WIndows available in developing countries? Will Microsoft find a way to port some version of Windows to Arm? Will the Softies make Windows Mobile its default on Arm-based laptops? Other thoughts?
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