Mark your calendar as Windows XP will no longer be available for purchase from Microsoft and OEM partners as of June 30, 2008.

Actually many OEMs are already cutting off the ability to order a new PC with XP:

• Dell - June 18
• Hewlett-Packard’s - June 10
• Lenovo’s - June 15
• Acer - June 30

Retailers such as Best Buy, Circut City have stated they will sell until inventory is exhausted. There are a couple of loopholes if you decide you just have to have Windows XP. The loopholes revolve around business licenses and downgrading a Vista license. Some PC makers will actually do the downgrade for you.

Now the question I raise is why Microsoft is pushing a new version of Windows on consumers at this time. While you an I may recognize our PCs will run just fine without an upgrade, many consumers feel the urge or think they must upgrade–incurring additional expense when not required.

Hats off to companies like Apple, and Steve Jobs, who in their wisdom realize the money crunch and bad economy we are faced with. And who actually reduced the price of the iPhone because of our current economic times.

Now I realize that both Microsoft and Apple probably priced and released their products to make the largest possible profits. But the tactics are still two totally different. One prays on the need of a consumer while the other responds to it.