Windows XP to get stay of execution?

Rumours abound that Microsoft is about to extend the life of Windows XP past the 30th June cut-off. That was when it had originally planned to stop selling XP licenses to encourage us all to move to Vista. According to InfoWorld, the decision's to be overturned because of the unexpected success of stripped-down, low spec laptops like the Asus Eee PC.

Because of the minimal storage space (as little as 2GB with the Eee) and average 512MB of memory found on such tiny portables, Vista's seen by many as a non starter. Despite Microsoft's original promise that it would work with Asus to get Vista onto the Eee, the decision this week to launch an XP version of the 7in 701 in the States, as well as for the larger 900 series, means the older operating system is clearly seen by manufacturers as the Windows OS of choice.

That's hardly surprising, when you consider that even the ultra basic 'Starter' edition of Vista, developed for emerging markets, takes up a staggering 15GB of hard drive space - far more than the maximum 8GB solid state drive available on the current Eee.

Microsoft hasn't commented on the rumour, though InfoWorld says an official announcement could be made as soon as this week. Whether it will see the life of the full-size Home and Professional versions extended for everyone to buy, or the release of a special OEM 'low-cost laptop' version, remains to be seen.