Microsoft is going to release a stripped-down version of Windows XP, Code-named ‘Eiger‘. This Windows is designed for business users who want more security and manageability on older PCs.

Quoted:
Eiger, a stripped-down version of Windows XP Professional, is designed for customers who want more security and manageability, but who aren’t ready or able to upgrade to Windows XP, according to Microsoft officials. It is not a thin client in the traditional sense. Instead, Microsoft will offer it as an interim, “bridge” solution for enterprise users who ultimately plan to move to XP or Longhorn, officials said.

Actually, the specification of this verwion of Windows XP has already been published since April by Steven Bink, a Microsoft certified systems engineer based in Amsterdam.

Here is a glance of its spec:-

Minimum System Requirements:
64MB RAM (128MB Recommended)
Pentium class processor
500 MB HD (1GB recommended)
800×600 graphics or higher

User Feature Set:
Remote desktop connection client
Shutdown, restart, standby
Accessibility features
Internet Explorer
Local & Network Printing
Basic Control Panel
Office Viewers
Servicing
Windows Update Services
Systems Management Server

Not supported:
Windows image acquisition (WIA)
Telephony, VPN & Dial-up
Wireless networking (802.11)

Somehow, Eiger is not a general-purpose operating system. It cannot run games, office-productivity software or line-of-business applications, so, don’t expect it’s multi-purpose like your Windows XP. :p

Quoted:
“We have a set of customers running old PCs and old operating systems – even as old as Windows 95,” said Barry Goffe, a Windows group product manager. “These customers are primarily concerned about security, though some also are concerned about improving the manageability and TCO (total cost of ownership) of these systems.”

However, Eiger is not yet in beta. Microsoft has provided early bits to a very small group of customers to get initial feedback on the feature set. It is still a little bit early to say when Microsoft will ship such a release.

[Source]

It seems to me, Microsoft just won’t give up any possible market segment, they can somehow find a market niche and sneak in with some specific product. I don’t admire Bill Gates as a programmer, but he is my idol as a businessman.