Another stripped-down version of Windows XP unveiled

Submitted by Rollie Hawk on Wed, 2005-06-29 18:35.

Microsoft recently announced that it would be selling a stripped-down version of XP called Eiger intended as a thin-client OS for businesses. It seems they are trying to squeeze the last drops of blood from the XP turnip before next years Longhorn with another variation, this time for consumers in Latin America.

The Windows XP Starter Edition is a gutted verion of XP that limits much of its predecessor's better features and is only available pre-installed on PCs. It does, however, provide a little more in the way of hand holding for new computer users. In spite of only being available bundled with hardware, it doesn't support high-end processors.

XP Starter Edition isn't a completely new idea and has been sold previously in Russia and India. Why target Russia, India, and Latin America? According to the Redmond-based company, those are low-income, high-piracy regions.


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Rollie Hawk is a consultant, web publisher, online personality, magazine writer, web developer, network administrator, teacher, husband and father residing in southern Illinois. He graduated in 2002 from Southern Illinois University, earning his BS majoring in math with a minor in chemistry.

Rollie is a certified math teacher with endorsements in chemistry, physics, and physical science and has taught students of all age groups and abilities, ranging from grade school to the university level. In addition to math and science, he has also taught GED, job skills, and alternative high school classes (his personal favorite).

After the birth of his daughter in 2004, Rollie decided to spend more time at home. This meant leaving his teaching position and devoting his working hours exclusively to consulting, web development, and general IT work.