In a short time, the company will release two simplified editions of the Windows operating system, one for the computers with modest configurations and the second for mobile systems.

These versions are called Eigher si Monch, and their purpose is to ease the preinstalling of operating solutions by the systems integrators and to offer optimized programs that will lead to an overall performance increase. Microsoft refrained from offering other details about the two operating systems, but sources close to the company declared that these are not low-end versions of Windows XP, but alternatives for clients with less powerful computers or for systems depending on a server network.

The same sources announce that the Eiger version is aimed at the low-end market, dominated by Linux, and that the installing is extremely simple and fast for the systems running single-function applications.

Monch was designed for mobile systems, smaller than Tablet PCs, but bigger than PocketPCs.

The compact version of the operating systems will be surely appreciated by system integrators who had already asked for simpler solution than the Windows XP Embedded, Wyse Technologies or Neoware Systems. Microsoft is already offering a Terminal Services client which ensures access to Windows Server 2003, but has a smaller degree of functionality.

Not all Microsoft partners are convinced of the success of the new operating systems, especially since the WinTerm series produced by Wyse Technologies offers support for Windows, Linux, Java and Unix.