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With Windows XP scheduled to disappear from store shelves on June 30, time is running out to buy a computer with that venerable OS preinstalled.

As manufacturers stop producing XP drivers, finding hardware that still supports XP is becoming a challenge, but I've produced one last shopping guide for you before the clock runs out.

An approach to tackling the XP shopping dilemma

Microsoft's widely used Windows XP operating system had a stay of execution a few months ago, when the Redmond company announced that it would continue sales of that OS through June 30, 2008. Sales had previously been scheduled to end in January 2008. But the new, June deadline doesn't leave much time for those who don't like Vista, but need to buy new hardware and want XP as their operating system.

To be sure, your license to use XP does allow you to remove the OS from an old machine and install it on a new one. But, as hardware manufacturers direct more resources to Windows Vista, it may be harder to find drivers for video, audio, and other computer components that support the older OS.

System builders can license XP 'til Jan. 2009

Alec Demoise, of Computer Guy LLC, a small-business IT consultancy, comments:
§"Your story about the XP sales deadline does not consider that 'white box' sellers, such as my company, can sell until January 2009. I verified with my supplier (Nor-Tech) that we will be selling new computers with all versions of Windows XP until that date."
Good point, Alec. Users who buy systems from sellers who qualify as Microsoft "system builders" - and users who themselves fit the definition of system builders - will be able to purchase OEM versions of Windows XP all through 2008.

A Feb. 6, 2008, Computerworld Australia article quotes a Microsoft spokesperson as saying: "OEMs will continue to sell XP through June 30, 2008, and system builders will be able to sell XP through January 2009 as they cater to the small-business markets.

In a related comment, Richard Chase, technical support representative for Gadget’s Computers & Electronics, has the following suggestion:
§"You're probably missing still the absolute biggest and best resource to getting XP systems: small businesses. Any small business out there that does custom-build systems can easily put together any computer of any specification with XP Home or Pro edition.

"As long as the copies of XP are on the shelf, or available through OEM from suppliers, any small-business computer shop can do it. And there are a million of them out there. I don't think you can go anywhere in any city down any block without passing at least one small computer shop.

"I'd also note that, out of the box, custom-built computers tend to perform better than retail, since none of that bloated manufacturer software is sitting there running in the background and eating all your resources.