Cheap PCs and laptops can run Windows XP

Microsoft has reduced hardware requirements for Windows XP Home when running on low-cost PC systems. This action will help the life of Windows XP last longer.

June 30 is the last moment that Microsoft sells Windows XP licenses to manufacturers. However, the company also has a number of ways to continue to support this very popular operating system. For example, allowing them to run on ultra-low-cost mini-laptops (also called netbooks) like the Asus Eee PC, and on small desktop PCs (also called nettops).

Microsoft's launch of Windows XP Home Edition is intended to encourage PC makers to use this operating system to replace Linux on low-end systems. However, Microsoft also offers hardware limitations that manufacturers must follow.

Such as the computer screen is only a maximum of 14.1-inch, and the maximum hard drive capacity is 160GB. ULPCs with touch screens will also be among these.

According to the terms that Microsoft issued in April 2008, touch-screen PCs cannot run XP Home, and the screen size is limited to 10.2-inch, maximum hard drive capacity. is 80GB. Meanwhile, the processor is still limited to 1 core, running at a speed of no more than 1GHz, and the processor has no more than 1GB of RAM.

ULPCs are new product lines that are quite attractive to users, but they have some limitations on the system, and so the price is cheaper - only about 199-350 USD. Typical ULPC products are the Asus Eee PC and MSI Wind, which are designed with basic tasks like surfing the Web, sending e-mail, but not for more advanced tasks like video editing.

The new clause has increased the size of the computer screen significantly (from 10.2-inch to 14.1-inch), making it possible for Windows XP to use on popular low-cost laptop systems. However, not so that there is no limit to this system. They still have to comply with Microsoft's strict conditions to ensure that the main PC segment is not competing from these systems.

Under the new terms, Microsoft has added a cheap desktop system to the Windows XP Home support list, and added Windows Vista Home Basic as the second option.
Microsoft still declined to comment on the issue, and did not disclose details of the deal it signed with PC makers.