No Dual-Boot XO Laptop, According to Microsoft 160
Yesterday, we discussed reports of Microsoft and the OLPC project working towards a dual-boot version of the XO laptop. Now, BetaNews tells us that Microsoft has issued statements denying such plans. The software giant has also reaffirmed their intention to develop a Windows-only version of the laptop. Microsoft's statement to BetaNews had this to say:
"While we have investigated the possibility in the past, Microsoft is not developing dual-boot Windows XP support for the One Laptop Per Child's XO laptop. As we announced in December, Microsoft plans to publish formal design guidelines early this year that will assist flash-based device manufacturers in designing machines that enable a high-quality Windows experience. Our current goal remains to provide a high-quality Windows experience on the XO device."
Not Surprising (Score:3, Interesting)
Not Windows desktop...hopefully something on top (Score:5, Interesting)
So would any windowing interface, which is why OLPC spent so much time developing an alternative interface that is decent for education.
Let's see what Microsoft puts on top of Windows...let's see if they actually care about children and what is best for education. If this laptop boots into the standard Windows desktop, I'll assume they have no clue about what is good for a child and are just in it to preserve their monopoly.
Windows just sucks (Score:3, Interesting)
Anyhow, Windows can't dual boot because:
a) Windows is sooo huge and bloated that it can't fit on as it is, let alone with having another OS
b) In the native state, the OLPC has OpenFirmware, it does not have any legacy BIOS
Actualluy (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Don't worry MS, the OLPC will fail (Score:2, Interesting)
Are you down with OLPC? Yeah, you know me.
Who's down with OLPC? Every slashdotie.
I just wish I could buy one for myself, even at twice the price would be nice. They could use the spare $200 for another donation or roll the "profit" back into lowering costs or something. There's something novel about the XO which is alluring to me as a gadget monkey. I'd gladly donate my ownership of it to some inner city kids locally after I built up my Popeye arm for a bit. I want to look like Reggie from "Lady in the Water". You down with OLPC?
Re:Not Windows desktop...hopefully something on to (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Not Windows desktop...hopefully something on to (Score:2, Interesting)