Microsoft seems intent on getting its Windows Operating system into the hands of people all over the world, including children in poor and undeveloped countries. Microsoft and the OLPC have teamed up to put Windows XP on the XO laptop.

The much more mainstream Windows operating system could make the low cost systems more appealing to countries whose infrastructure already uses Windows products and whose teachers and employees may be more familiar with Windows.

Despite the addition of a Windows XP variant of the XP laptop it still faces still competition on the ultra-low cost notebook market from the likes of Intel and to some degree ASUS with its Eee. To date one of the largest orders for the XO came from Peru. It’s possible that some countries are waiting to see how Peru’s program goes with the XO before they place orders. However, the infrastructure in Peru is so poor for the areas the laptops are planned for that electricity can be hard to come by, much less a viable Internet connection.

Via BBC News