bjoernvold.com

Microsoft will end the support for Windows XP one year from now. They want people to get modern and turn to Windows 8. The company is also giving a 15% discounts for those converting to Windows 8 and Office 2013 standard. The support for Office 2003 is ending too.

Since Windows 8 requires hardware with reduced functionality, it might be a way cheaper alternative to use the very same hardware that runs XP today and instal Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Suse or Manjaro on it. That could prolong the hardware investment for yet another 5 years, and the computers would probably be snappy again.
Windows XP is still installed on more than 38 % of all the computers in the world so that is a big market.

In any case if people do not take up the Win 8 offer and install Linux instead then Microsoft will continue to support Windows XP -to keep the market share .

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall that the EOL of XP has been postponed more than once already. If that 38% remains steady, then I agree another postponement is quite likely. Microsoft and the hardware manufacturers would like them all to buy the newest machines but many Windows users regard the computer as just another domestic appliance. How may people replace their washing machine just because the new model has differently shaped/coloured controls? They'll keep on using XP, with or without updates.

Jim

I think that is right. I also believe that Microsoft will have to come up with another Windows version before they truly can abandon Windows XP.
There is this new market niche called PC's that could do with a dedicated OS not those adapted from the smart-phones....
It would also truly help if the Hardware was not limited so that other OS'es could be installed on them without having to turn off Windows secure boot.

The PC days are numbered. HP and Dell are reporting losses to the mobile / embedded market. Cloud computing is eroding PC sales. Still a market for PCs but is getting smaller really quick. Most of my web searches are done via a Tablet or Phone. Is just more practical.

MS is pitching in the US the Surface table really hard. Very seldom you see a PC add. I wonder how is in Europe? The same pitch?

Yes pretty much. But all those adds are for the consumer market. The businesses still use PC's and laptops. The ones that plan to go bankrupt have also implemented tablets instead of laptops.
The ability to write is becoming obsolete. Pointing and clicking at colorful pictures is very popular - I just doubt the efficiency of it.
But of course to write a decent report - if you have a manager that still is able to read - you can buy an external keyboard to that tablet. It will only be a bit worse than a traditional laptop and twice the price....