Microsoft Phasing Out OEM Versions of Windows XP in 2008

This is one of those jaw droppers, you just can’t believe what your ears are hearing or your eyes are reading, but, Microsoft, in all of it’s wisdom, is phasing out the Windows XP OEM version by the beginning of next year! Not sure if they are doing the same thing with the retail versions, but manufacturers will have to start shipping systems only with Windows Vista from then on out, as the Microsoft contracts will only allow them to sell Windows Vista from then on out.

Computer makers have been told they’ll no longer be able to get Windows XP OEM by the end of this year, despite consumer resistance to Vista and its compatibility problems.

By early 2008, Microsoft’s contracts with computer makers will require companies to only sell Vista-loaded machines. “The OEM version of XP Professional goes next January,” said Frank Luburic, senior ThinkPad product manager for Lenovo. “At that point, they’ll have no choice.” Source: Windows XP to be phased out by year’s end despite customer demand

On Dell’s Direct 2 Dell blog, they say they are only offering it until later this summer, they say, because the demand is for the latest and greatest.

Dell recognizes the needs of small business customers and understands that more time is needed to transition to a new operating system. The plan is to continue offering Windows XP on select Dimension and Inspiron systems until later this summer.

Dell does not have plans to launch Windows XP for home users as the preference and demand is for the ?latest and greatest? technology which includes Windows Vista. Source: Dell Offering Windows XP for Small Business Customers

They also have a post on Ideastorm that is gathering a bunch of votes for Windows XP over Vista, Don?t eliminate XP just yet, with many saying they will go where they can get it if Dell won’t sell it. It’s kind of funny, in the original post the author was complementing Dell on offering Windows XP, even though they are ending support for the OS this summer, months earlier than Microsoft will make them. Tony from DeepJiveInterests had this to say;

Vista has its raft of issues, and for many, demonstrates no clear benefits over XP, particularly with its beefy hardware requirements.

This is a clear example of what may seem like a ?smart? business decision by some bone-headed managerial types, but a colossally bad marketing maneuver ? particularly since it seems like the majority of its audience, from early-adopters, to mainstream users, don?t particularly care for Vista in spite of its huge marketing budget (in fact, I can?t seem to avoid its signage as I walk through Staple every day to get to the subway). In fact, you can pull up all kinds of link proof, but the real proof is in its anemic sales numbers. Source: Bill, Sweet Jesus Say it Ain?t So!

It is amazing the stuff you hear everyday from companies who should be listening to their customers, you know, the ones who buy this stuff from them, but instead they think we’ll force everyone to do this and make more money! Never mind that Windows XP is the best OS they have released to date, heck, I know people who still run Windows 98, I wonder how many people will be running Windows XP for years after they stop supporting it? I bet a bunch will.

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