Netbook vendors looking to utilize Microsoft Windows 7 are looking to speed up their clearance of Windows XP-based netbooks, as Microsoft has precluded Windows XP from upgrading to Windows 7, according to sources in the netbook industry.
On June 25, Microsoft announced the launch of its Windows 7 upgrade program, but it did not include Windows XP devices as receiving an option for an upgrade. Although many netbook vendors believe customers are not willing to pay a premium for Windows 7 and therefore will continue to prefer having the lower-cost Windows XP loaded on the netbook, other vendors have voiced concerns that precluding Windows XP from the upgrade program may cause some negative publicity within the netbook segment.
In general, netbook vendors are considering bundling Intel Atom N270- and N280-based netbooks with Windows XP and Atom N450-based netbooks with Windows 7 due to pricing concerns. The current price of Windows XP OEM version is only around US$25-30, while recent quotes from Microsoft for the netbook version of Windows 7 have been around US$45-55.
However, customers may be confused by the Microsoft update policies and this may cause them to delay their purchases over the next few months, the sources indicated.
Article translated by Joseph Tsai
