Windows XP starts shipping

Microsoft's new OS is released

Early adopters can purchase the latest Microsoft operating system (OS), Windows XP.

OEMs have been given the go-ahead to ship XP machines this week. Microsoft has confirmed it will go ahead with the official launch of the OS on 25 October, despite the terrorist attacks in the US earlier this month.

Sales of XP are now expected to be considerably lower than previously expected, with analysts downgrading their expectations for IT expenditure following the attacks.

Rob Epstein, general manager PC components at Computer 2000, said he expects to start shipping machines from the beginning of October.

Adrian Tatum, Microsoft alliance manager at Computacenter, said: "Overall, I think its release should provide a timely boost for the industry."

James Griffiths, online marketing manager at Dell, said the company is taking selected orders today, but would ship products around the official launch date.