According to recent statistics, nearly 50% of computer users shunned Vista and Windows 7, and still use Windows XP. I don’t have a problem with that. If “it ain’t broke”, don’t change. But now a new Microsoft offering will be released by Fall of 2012 and, you guessed it, no upgrade path is planned between XP and Windows 8.

I won’t be loosing any sleep over it, or the fact that there might be a Microsoft support gap between releases. After all, XP is stable, runs 95% of all of the software produced, and we don’t expect to see dedicated Windows 8 software for 12 to 18 after release (2014).

By that time, it may be prudent to replace the old XP computer hardware anyway. So, as always, it may be better to simply buy a new computer with whatever operating system comes with it, but insure that you have an upgrade path to Windows 8 without dropping additional coinage.

As time goes on, desktop operating systems are becoming less of a factor as applications are moving to the Web. Web Apps are extending the life of any operating system that supports a current web browser like Internet Explorer, FireFox, or Chrome. This also opens up the opportunity to use MAC or Linux operating systems as well. Perhaps even a tablet connected to a decent keyboard.

Another factor is the rising capability of SmartPhones. The Verizon Motorola Bionic now sports a dual core processor and is capable of running web apps. They even offer a unit that looks like a laptop allowing to to plug in your SmartPhone and use a large screen and keyboard. The current offering has been severely hamstrung so that it barely runs office applications. But the processor capability is there, and before long, stiff aggressive competition will push this technology into the office and make it a worthy opponent of the standard office PC.

Am I worried about Windows 8? NAAA!