Microsoft tries to breathe life into older PCs -Zdnet:
Code-named Eiger, the product is basically designed to turn older PCs into a thin client, which is a terminal that gets most of its information from a central server. Unlike traditional thin clients, though, a few programs can be run locally, including Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and antivirus software.

Microsoft is pitching the software at customers who can't or don't want to buy new PCs, but are concerned that their older computers are not secure and hard to manage. Under the hood, Eiger is a hybrid of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Embedded.