Microsoft drops Itanium on mainstream servers

Microsoft will no longer offer Windows XP 64-bit Itanium-based workstations. It will instead offer its "x64" hybrid 64/32-bit operating system mainstream servers and workstation.

A spokesman for the company said, "Microsoft believes Windows for Itanium-based systems is a stronger offering in the high-end server market, and we will continue to promote and offer Windows Server 2003 Enterprise and Datacenter Editions for Itanium-based systems, intended for customers who require the highest levels of scalability."

But it is PC workstations and servers based on hybrid chips that offer both 64- and 32-bit compatibility that Microsoft is betting most users will buy.

Users requiring 64-bit technology for desktop applications will be offered Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, operating systems designed to use the hybrid 64/32-bit processors from AMD and Intel.

Because Windows on x64 systems delivers excellent flexibility and choice it enables a smooth migration from 32-bit to 64-bit applications, the company added.