Microsoft's new Coke: Windows Vista
Christopher Null over at Yahoo! Tech has a novel suggestion for Microsoft: Re-Release Windows XP. His reasoning? When New Coke flopped, Coke successfully retreated to Coke Classic. Given that there are already five mainstream versions of Vista (not counting the N version for Europe that doesn't include Media Player), one more won't hurt, will it?
The irony here is that many corporations are already on this plan. Since corporate licensees usually pay per desktop regardless of Windows version AND manage their own OS images, they can install Windows XP to their hearts content, even in the age of Vista. The only thing that forces them to get off Windows XP is when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support, currently estimated to be on or about January 2009. And even then, businesses can pay for support through about 2014. We'll ignore the fact that Microsoft's pricing gets a little outrageous once mainstream support ends -- for example, a patch for the March 11 daylight savings change for Windows 2000 Server will set those users back a cool $4,000 in addition to their service contract fees. But if you want it, it's available for a price.
But consumers? Starting in just about five months, consumers won't really have a choice any more. All PCs will ship with Vista, and Windows XP won't be an install option any more. That is, unless Christopher's petition convinces Microsoft. Our bet is not so much. After all, who would ever want Coke Classic when New Coke is so much better?
The irony here is that many corporations are already on this plan. Since corporate licensees usually pay per desktop regardless of Windows version AND manage their own OS images, they can install Windows XP to their hearts content, even in the age of Vista. The only thing that forces them to get off Windows XP is when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support, currently estimated to be on or about January 2009. And even then, businesses can pay for support through about 2014. We'll ignore the fact that Microsoft's pricing gets a little outrageous once mainstream support ends -- for example, a patch for the March 11 daylight savings change for Windows 2000 Server will set those users back a cool $4,000 in addition to their service contract fees. But if you want it, it's available for a price.
But consumers? Starting in just about five months, consumers won't really have a choice any more. All PCs will ship with Vista, and Windows XP won't be an install option any more. That is, unless Christopher's petition convinces Microsoft. Our bet is not so much. After all, who would ever want Coke Classic when New Coke is so much better?
Technorati Tags: Coca Cola, Microsoft, New Coke, Windows Vista, Windows XP
posted by Carl Howe at
1:36 PM
| View blog reactions
| 
