Xandros tempts Windows 98/ME users with Linux upgrade rebate

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Jul. 28, 2006

Xandros, in responding to Microsoft's July 11 announcement that it will discontinue security patches and technical support for Windows 98, 98SE, and ME, is offering a 50 percent mail-in rebate to users who "upgrade" to either the Xandros Desktop Home Edition or Home Edition Premium versions of its Linux distribution.

An estimated 50 million people around the world still use the older Windows systems, according to market analyst IDC.

The regular Home Edition sells for $39.99, and the premium edition sells for $79.99. If users upgrade their operating system from Windows 98, 98SE, or ME to Xandros 4.0, they can receive a 50 percent mail-in rebate, the New York City-based company said.

According to the company, the Xandros Desktop Home Edition or Home Edition Premium OSes can be installed alongside unsupported Microsoft Windows -- even on older hardware, eliminating the need for new hardware required by a Windows XP or Vista upgrade.

After upgrading to Xandros, users will continue to have full read and write access to all documents, music, and other files that reside within their original Windows installation, and users can choose to install and continue to use Microsoft Office and other Windows programs, the company said.

Xandros CEO Andreas Typaldos stated, "Now that Microsoft has discontinued all support for Windows 98, 98SE, and ME, legacy Windows users have three options. First, they can cross their fingers and continue to use the abandoned, insecure and unsupported Windows product. Second, they can purchase a costly XP upgrade along with new hardware that will be out of date as soon as Vista is released. Or third, they can continue using their existing computer by installing the latest Xandros Desktop Home Edition."

"Not only does this option extend the useful life of their computer without a need to learn anything new, but it also provides users with a stable and reliable platform that is free from the constant frustration of spyware and viruses, and costs less than Windows-based anti-virus software alone," Typaldos added.

For a perspective on how Xandros can potentially satisfy the modern desktop computing needs of Windows 98/ME users, read this article by DesktopLinux.com columnist Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols:

Xandros 4: relief for Windows 98/ME orphans

For more information, visit the Xandros home page, here.

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