[link|http://www.news.com/Microsoft-extends-Windows-XPs-stay/2100-1016_3-6210524.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news|CNet]

Bowing to pressure from customers and computer makers, Microsoft plans to keep Windows XP around a little longer.

Large PC manufacturers were slated to have to stop selling XP after January 31. However, they have successfully lobbied Microsoft to allow them to continue selling PCs with all flavors of Windows XP preloaded until June 30, a further five months. Microsoft also plans to keep XP on retail shelves longer and will allow computer makers in emerging markets to build machines with Windows XP Starter Edition until June 2010.

A five month extension, but considering how determined Microsoft was to kill XP as quickly as possible it is a big deal.

The XP Starter until 2010 is probably something else entirely. An admission that Vista is so heavy that it doesn't work well for the really low end machines popular outside the US.

Jay