WinXP lifespan (DX10)?

Maybe this has been answered already, but what is the predicted lifespan of XP (that is, time it will take for Vista to become as stable and practical as XP)?

Also, does anyone know a time frame from which those graphic cards that arent DX10 capable will be unusable, or rendered obsolete due to DX10? Im considering purchasing a NP5790 and would like it to last at least 3 years (to play games with and general school work) loaded with XP pro and a nVidia 7950 GTX. Thanks.

 

If you depend on games (specifically Windows games), you'll continually need to upgrade to the newest OS whenever MS renders a prior OS obsolete by releasing a feature exclusively to the newest OS.

In other words, if you can't do without Wingames, and Windows 7 comes with DX11, you're going to face another forced upgrade in a few year's time.

So to answer your question, XP is already obsolete if you intend to continue purchasing new Windows games. It does not come with DX10, which is exclusive to Vista.

 

Yea but not everyone with a computer is going to change to vista immediately, especially not with all the problems its having. Therefore, it is likely that game devolpers will continue to make games DX9 compatible, so as to sell more.

I am sure there are going to be multiple dynamics in play, so I was wondering approximately when DX9 and winxp would be rendered completly obsolete.

 

OC is a bit off his rocker. you can use XP for most new games being released, so long as you're fine not running the fancy smancy features of your DX10 card (if you even got one). Soon-to-be-released Gears of War and Crysis will run perfectly fine in DX9, as should most games.

that said, XP is at its end-of-life right now, and won't be available for purchase after 1/2008. i don't remember how long MS will produce security or other type of patches following that date though. no large publisher outside of Microsoft will create a DX10-only game for the foreseeable future.

 

You might be able to squeeze more out of it if they get DX10 to work on XP. But don't count on it.

I just read this article the other day that might help you get an idea of what to expect from Microsoft in way of support: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&articleId=9026940

 

Interesting to note that Microsoft has extended support of XP Home to match XP Pro (2014), although I doubt there will be many XP computers still running mainstream 7 years from now........

On a side note, the article links to this one http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9027532 , which states that XP sales will be up in 2008 (further than MS predicted). Frankly I don't see how this will be possible if Microsoft terminates oem/retail distribution of XP in January 08, unless there is a serious sales craze on swiping up the remaining discs...........

 

Lol.. This just shows how Vista didn't live up to consumer's expectations. The only reason why I would think of upgrading to vista is for the new hardware that it supports (eg: hybrid HDD, SSD HDDs) and maybe Aero interface. But if you think more about it, it's just microsoft's way of staying competitive against apple with steve gaining a lot of pc market share. Plus, apple's got EA to help them make games once again for apple so we're looking at big changes ni the future. Who knows? Maybe we'll be talking about Mac OS oneday.

 

I'd expect that the fact that most every new laptop comes with windows vista will force game developers to put a large portion of their focus on making games for vista...