> Assuming that the instruction set is backward compatible as always has been, how's possible that an older Windows doesn't work with those new CPUs? That's ea

> Assuming that the instruction set is backward compatible as always has been, how's possible that an older Windows doesn't work with those new CPUs? That's easy to answer -- because of the increasing interdependence between hardware and software, because of the tightly interwoven nature of the overall desktop/laptop experience, and because of the skill level of the average computer user, everything has to work almost perfectly in order to work at all. There's also the security issue. So many black-hat hackers are attacking Windows now that a version that's no longer updated and maintained, quickly becomes a playground for criminals instead of a platform for users. Someone else has mentioned the conspicuous-consumption angle, and I agree -- a computing device that's five years old is approaching end-of-life, no longer able to offer meaningful services for multiple reasons, not least of which is a manufacturer's eagerness to sell you something newer.