Windows XP extended to 2010 - for low-end PCs

For the majority of standard computer manufacturers, the operating system sold with new computers now is some version of Windows Vista. If you have not yet dealt with Vista, you probably will at some point (it's not as bad as you have probably heard). Yes, it is more of a memory hog than XP; that's why your new computer should have more memory. Vista's big advantage over XP is that it is more secure. But I will save that for another post.

There is a new class of computers now emerging: low-cost laptops and desktops. These are computers whose primary functions are to view websites and send email. They are becoming more common in developing countries where the average person cannot afford a full-featured computer.

For this class of computer, Windows Vista is just too resource-hungry. Therefore, Microsoft has extended the deadline for Windows XP, allowing manufacturers to still sell XP pre-installed on the limited-resource computers. Some of these machines may also be sold with Linux, which is a free, open-source operating system. Linux is generally considerd to be a more "geek-oriented" operating system and much more stable than any version of Windows.

These low-end laptops and desktops are generally priced under $300. The example pictured below is available here for $248 (click image for full size).

You would not want one of these as your primary computer, but they're cheap enough that you could get one for each of your kids, so that they could access the web and email (just make sure you add the safe-surfing protection I wrote about not long ago).