With a tight competition with Linux, Microsoft has confirmed that it will launch cheaper Windows in five Asian markets.

Microsoft will provide its “stripped” version of Windows XP as Windows XP Starter Edition to countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia from October 2004..
Microsoft is yet to name the other two countries.

The stripped version will have limitations like the highest resolution will be maxed out at 800 by 600. Only three applications could run simultaneously and no support for home networking.