Microsoft has stopped the dodging and finally given us a dateConspiracy theories aside, Microsoft has finally named a release date for its x86-64 variant of Windows XP: One month from now.
Yes, the waiting is over. I've been getting increasingly excited about trying it out as well, but you won't see me switching to it permanently. It's going to be dual-boot for me until regressions in driver performance are ironed out and it's proven to be 100% stable.
Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum, Windows chief Jim Allchin said the desktop version of the souped-up Windows would come at the beginning of April, while the server version would come at the end of the month.
"We're locked on to 64-bit," Allchin said, encouraging developers to start tailoring their applications to include the ability to take advantage of the extra processing power.
Now, I do find it quite interesting that Microsoft seemed to sit on this egg (so to speak) until Intel was in full production of x86-64 processors. I remember reading the ranting predictions of Chris Tom (of AMDZone) a year ago, if not more, saying that Microsoft was waiting for Intel to catch up, because Intel could not be made to look bad not having a 64-bit product for the consumer. Oh well. The real battle is just beginning.
Article Link: Microsoft says 64-bit Windows due in April
