Taiwan hopes to force Microsoft into selling XP forever

According to The Register, the "Taiwanese Consumer Foundation...claims [Microsoft] is effectively using its monopoly to force sales of Vista."

How? Well, as the TCF reasons, since most buyers would prefer XP, as demonstrated by their installing XP even after buying a Vista-enabled computer, forcing them to buy Vista in the first place is tantamount to an exercise of monopoly power.

The problem with such reasoning is that the same could be said of any software vendor (perhaps minus the monopoly power). Microsoft already supports its products for a very long time, and expecting customers at some point to move to the latest and greatest (and more cost effectively supported) is not a bad policy. Any vendor should be hoping the TCF loses on this one.

Microsoft, for its part, had better pray Windows 7 comes without the complaints that Vista has delivered. Two bad product releases in a row? Even Microsoft may not be able to survive that.

[The_Decider]

If the turd known as Vista starts seriously impacting the bottom line of Dell, HP, etc, then MS will be forced to offer XP again.

Forced upgrades might work occasionally but it will always blow up in your face and is a slimy business practice.

[Pete Bardo]

"Any vendor should be hoping the TCF loses on this one."

Sure, but what about the consumer? That's who TCF seems to be seeking to protect.

What will probably happen if MS stops selling XP, consumers will install pirated copies instead.

BTW, I need a new computer but refuse to buy one because all I can get is Vista. Has MS considered that? Apparently not!

[aka_tripleB]

If you wanted a new computer, you should have bought it two months ago. Microsoft made itself perfectly clear that it was no longer going to allow anyone to sell computers* with XP on them. Since it seems you did not believe the announcement, I have no simpathy for you. Also since you don't seems to want to use anything but XP, it seems you're just against change, not just Vista.

[The_Decider]

@aka

So what if someone's machine just crapped out completely, should they have planned for that also and bought 2 months ago.

I really don't know why MS would care, an XP sale gets counted as a Vista sale so they can inflate the Vista numbers anyway,

[Dalkorian]

If you need a new computer, go buy one. Can't find one without fista on it? Wipe the drive clean and install what you want (I'd stay away from XP too and install Ubuntu or any favorite Linux distro). It's your money and your computer (despite what the Bill wants you to think). You also have the option of building a computer yourself if you have the desire and again you can install what you want on it.

I wouldn't allow M$'s desire to shove their fista up everyone's rear end to dissuade me from buying a new computer.

[tomtomtom]

Linux, here I come!

[mtoc]

system 7 may be OK as MS is opening dialogue Oct. 08 to discuss new OS. it seems that they have learned that you cant impose your way on the consumer if the product causes more problems than the switch is worth. personally I like and use win/xp. I have much trouble fixing vista on another PC. its a pain. XP works well with software and hardware that I use. if it aint broke... leave it alone. I still dont get advantage of Vista. if I switch to MAC, I will bootcamp XP. OSs should be able to its job in a simple, fast and reliable way. a stripped
and beefed up sys 7 may do the job.

[Spartan_458]

Microsoft can discontinue a product whenever it wants, no matter what the reason.

[dude7895]

Its MS product and they can do whatever they want with it. Grow up.

[The_Decider]

Than MS is a fool, because there is a larger demand for XP than there is for Vista.

[raziel1979]

It may be MS product, but it's your PC. Would you like to pick what OS you have on it? I for one will keep XP on my PC as long as I can and when the day comes that I have to upgrade. The Linux is were I'm going. The only way MS will keep me buying Windows is if they do away with the DRM. Thats why Vista needs all that CPU power.

[slimshady007]

MS should have no problem with this: keep selling XP, but make the EULA that users agree to say "This software has no new updates coming for it." MS need not put any more money into XP, but can keep reeling in the money by selling the licenses. Everyone's happy! (or maybe not)

[The_Decider]

What is funny is that they are supporting it(such as MS support is) for a few more years. All they are doing is shooting themselves in the foot, which is fine with me, it doesn't hurt anybody.

[simplelifer]

Time to move on to Mac