8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Windows XP Pro
Date of Review: Aug 4, 2006
The Bottom Line: If you want a reliable, easy to use Operating system like most people do, Go with Windows XP Professional.
Windows XP Professional offers standard reliability and performance. Windows XP Professional includes all of the features and options as Windows XP Home, and then more.
First, if you currently have Windows 98, Win98SE, or WinME, then you need to upgrade (if your computer can run it). The current requirements for Windows XP Pro are:
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Pentium 233 MHz or faster processor
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128 MB RAM
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1.5 GB hard disk space
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CD-ROM or DVD drive
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Sound card
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Keyboard and mouse
I would recommend more than this. I have tried Windows XP Pro on a 300MHz processor, and it ran very slow. If you have at least 600MHz, 256MB RAM, you should be ready to go!
Windows XP Professional is a lot more stable than Windows 98, and Windows ME.
The user interface is bubbly and round, although if you prefer the old classic style, but the stability of Windows XP, you can do this too. A small change in the display settings takes care of this!
If you are upgrading from Windows 98, it does take a bit of change. Instead of My Documents and everything off of c:, Windows XP is more User defined. You have to view your documents at c:\Documents and Settings\(username)\my documents. At first you may be confused, but after a bit of use you will find it is easier than thought!
Most of my clients like the upgrade to windows XP just because of the flash drive compatibility. You can use flash drives with Windows 98, but only if you install several different drivers for each flash drive. Windows XP, you do not have this problem. Other items as well sometimes do not need drivers, this is mainly the case with older video cards, and other peripherals.
You may hear that Windows XP may not be compatible with most of your older programs. Sometimes, very rarely, this is the case. Most of the time, this is not the case anymore. At first, Windows XP wouldn't run anything, but now, it will run about any program I throw at it. I know that we are running versions of Oregan Trail from 1990, flawlessly. This isn't the only program, just an example. Do not let compatibility problems hold you back!
