Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Rating:
Summary: Great update for users of Win 9X/Win ME
Review: I recently installed the upgrade on my self-built system. With Windows 98 I had to manually install every driver for my hardware manually... It was a huge pain. Man was I impressed when I installed XP! It automatically located drivers for ALL of my hardware, I can finally throw away all of those driver disks! Woohoo! I also had to test it's functionality, so I ran 10 programs simultaneously, copied files across my network AND hard drive all at once, and I was STILL able to continue running additional programs. This upgrade is a must for people who are huge on multitasking (it hasn't locked up once). Keep in mind that I do have a P3 1 GHz with 256 MB RAM and an Ultra ATA 100 Hard Drive, so I'm sure that does help a lot. Needless to say I can't wait until the copy of XP for my laptop arrives.

Rating:
Summary: In ten years maybe but not now.
Review: I do tech support and for the last week or two practically all the calls have been about windows XP. It is a very powerful operating system, a monster that can do a lot... that is a lot of things the avg person doesn't need.

This is basically a punched up 2000 system with some nice bells and balloons. The best feature in my opinion is the compatibility mode allowing old programs to run in their own enviorments. It is very useful... But will it work regularly?

The interface is familar with anyone familar with windows 2000 and its true purpose is the final death and destruction of DOS. People have been predicting DOS's death the same way they have predicted COBOL's death. We shall see. The 640k memory barrier is well gone but I see basically a monster of an operating system that pushes users where they may not want or need to go. For the professional user this is less of a problem but for the home user it is a headache. Even the built in firewall will force people to learn about ports, or get them to go back to 98. (A better OS then anybody give it credit for.)

This is the attempt to force feed the type of stuff that a more technical user might use on the home user. If it was released in about 10 years when a full generation had used home PC's on a regular basic it would be an easy and useful transition, however the way this system takes over your machine makes it a monster that is not really needed.

If you are a home user or if you have an older machine, do yourself a favor and stick with what you have. If you just have to have a more powerfull machine to download and own every video and MP3 in existance, be prepared to learn more than you want to.

Too Much too soon for too many.

Rating:
Summary: I Love It
Review: I got Windows XP Professional at the Microsoft Launch and installed it over the weekend. I love how it runs. My computer doesn't freeze up as it did in Windows Me. So far so good. We'll see how it works, but so far...I Love It!

Rating:
Summary: Best of the best!!!
Review: I upgraded to XP from Windows ME.
I can't list all the benefits that have come from this investment!
For one, I have had it about a week and I have not crashed yet!
Also, the new interface (LUNA) is really cool!
About the activation...
I didn't bother with the internet activation and I just called the 800 #. It did not take 5 minutes and it was just entering a few lines of text!! (I have no idea why people are so freaked out about that!) And if you upgrade your computer, all you have to do is get another code, simple!
The log-on screen it nice as well if you have several people using on computer.
I would say you should upgrade if you can because you will not regret it!

Of course there are some cons...
Setup takes an hour
Requires a pretty good system (but you probably need a new computer anyway :-)
You can't install it on more than one machine.This dosen't really affect me, but I know that if I had another computer or a laptop that I would think it my right to intall it on that machine too (however, Microsoft dosen't!)

Other than those cons (which were too minor to take away a star) this OS is FLAWLESS!!

Rating:
Summary: Costly XPerience
Review: I purchased Windows XP Home Edition upgrade for my Windows ME operating system. Following the instructions and recommendations, I inserted the CD and began the installation process. It sucessfully went through all the steps including most of the "Finalizing Installation" step, whereupon it stopped and would not finish. I could not exit installation, uninstall, or return to the ME system. Therefore, I had to shut down my computer and use the System Recovery software. As a result, I am out the cost of the XP upgrade, the cost of downloaded software which I lost in the recovery process, and approximately 8 hours of time between attempting the upgrade, recovering my original system and reinstalling software and files. Not to mention I have yet to re-download a recent upgrade to my internet service, which was also lost in the recovery.
So, in closing, I can't rate the performance of Windows XP, I can only say I would have rated the upgrade version of this software 0 stars if that were an option.

Rating:
Summary: windows XP is the bomb
Review: this is THE OS to run. if you are running any kind of windows, upgrade now! XP is very stable. my system has crashed once since i installed it, over a month ago. its also very intuitive, by which i mean its very simple to perform tasks. its almost like XP thinks for you. startup and shutdown is fast! also its very awesome to use with any kind of media. and all the complaints about privacy and MSN.net stuff.. WHO CARES?!!? i signed up for everything: MSN, passport, hotmail, .NET. i love it all. i love bill gates. please bill, invade my privacy! violate me! i dont care- as long as u simplify my life and make it easier, COME ON IN. i will sign up for everything and give u all my info and preferences, go ahead and run those banner ads that target me. i love you. become my big brother, i know you you will continue to innovate everything tech. i love you bill, paul, and steve! =)

Rating:
Summary: Buy it!! Buy it!! Buy it!!!
Review: (...)

Stability
So the only reason I wanted Windows XP is for the stability. Every thing else is just a bonus so I will cover the stability issue first. I was going to wait a week to write my review but after two days I can't wait. My computer is running GREAT!!! No restarts, no errors, no problems. Of any kind!! Enough said. I can't say more about it. It seems I have a new computer. I am not even worried about upgrading anymore. (...)

Speed
My computer runs MUCH faster! It actually seems like I have 384 megs of RAM now. Everything is running clean and smooth. My web pages load in a snap. I am not so worried about DSL anymore. I still want it but before I needed it. Every program I have run so far as opened before I can blink. Enough said. It is fast!!

Activation
I know everyone is concerned about this. I was also but my computer crashed so much I didn't care. After installing Windows XP you can either activate immediately or in 30 days. I chose 30 days because I was so excited to see what XP can do. I activated and registered later the same day. You can either phone in the activation or do it online. I did it online. Since I registered also I filled out 1 form with my name, address, and email. Clicke ok. Done. Less than 30 seconds.

Software Conflicts
When installing XP it will check for software that may not work. About 10 applications were found. Mostly little stuff. Nothing I really ever use. Some I didn't want anymore. XP still installed. Those programs that started automatically weren't included but that is better for me. Stuff you wouldn't care about.

Hardware Detecter
When I first installed XP I unplugged my scanner due to possible conflicts with XP. Installed XP without the scanner. Later I plugged the scanner into the USB port. XP immediately recognised the new hardware and asked me if I wanted to install it. Ignoring warnings about possible conflicts I installed it. Very easily. I like the fact that XP recognised the hardware immediately.

New look/Graphics
Windows XP has some new desktop backgrounds which are cool. Graphics are great. Also the graphics on other programs seem crisper. Much nicer appearance.

Start menu
XP has a new start menu which is nice. I wouldn't care either way but it is nicer. The task bar has a different appearance which looks good. If you have a program open which has different windows open itself e.g. Internet Explorer with 4 different web pages open at once it will show up just once on the task bar but with a 4 next to the name. When you click on that program a pop up window appears so you can pick which one of the 4 windows you want to open. Your taskbar isn't so cluttered.

So in a nutshell my computer is very stable so far. Runs much faster! Looks great! I am very very pleased. I am so happy Microsoft launched XP. (...)

Rating:
Summary: Windows XP: The Good
Review: Ok,

I've had the opportunity to use this OS for 2 days now. I'm having hardware compatibility difficulties. Difficulties which cannot be overcome unless I buy "XP Compatible Hardware". I knew this was coming because I had the same problems with Win2k but XP has been a surprise.

I think if you can get a good deal (and have enough compatible hardware) the upgrade is worth it.

I have a Zoom Winmodem (mf'd 1998) that took an average of 40-50 seconds to get online with Win98. It now takes about 10 seconds or less, depending on how temperamental my modem is behaving.

Many of the improvements in XP are very subtle. Graphics appear sharper, and there are options such as "font smoothing" and "large font" settings which can help to improve the way text and pictures look on your monitor. This is a subtle improvement, but not one that is going to get "hyped up" by publications because it's not a flashy feature. Some people say this feature set alone is worth the upgrade.

There are many customization options such as whether or not you want to have a list of "Most frequently used files" as well "Most frequently used Applications". And you have a bevy of Themes to choose from if you want to change the color of your "Windows".

I'm surprised at how "Geared Up" XP is for pictures. There is a built in screen saver which you can setup to show pictures from the "My Pictures" directory. When you goto the "My Pictures" directory, you have the ability to quickly View the pictures as a slide show by simply clicking on the command line.

I did a printout of an email I received before the XP Upgrade and it's obvious there are improvements in the printing quality. The print appears darker, sharper, and more contrasty.

Websurfing seems to be quicker. I don't have to wait quite as long for pages to download. One annoying feature is the "Netscape Smartdownload". I deleted that feature as it failed to get the job done satisfactorily.

The new look of XP on the whole is very slick, fresh, sophisticated, and inviting! I wish I could change the color of the Start button as the Green color clashes with the "Silver Metallic" theme I am using.

One interesting feature is whenever you put in a CD into your CD Drive, XP does a quick scan. You can see it scanning all the files in a little window. Then a box pops up asking you what you want to do next. You can open up Explorer and view the contents of the CD, you can do nothing, you can output all the files to your "My Pictures" folder, and several other options which I cannot remember.

I like this feature because it saves me a step. I usually have to goto Explorer anyways to view the files on a CD-ROM. Now a box pops up allowing me to do this without having to goto the start menu.

On the surface, many people say XP is not worth the upgrade. I would agree if you are using Win2k and are happy with it. However, if you are using Win98 the improvements you will see as well as the programs you will be getting will make it worth it.

Sproutt

Rating:
Summary: A Worthwhile Upgrade!
Review: My Dell 800Mhz Celeron machine had been running Windows ME since April, 2001 -- that is, until I installed my copy of Windows XP today. It is absolutely AMAZING!! The speed has increased dramatically: programs start up and run faster, and even my internet connection has shown a noticeable rise. In addition, the slick new interface is really cool and fun to play with; if users don't like it, they can change it back to the old style. And best of all, it hasn't frozen up or crashed once, and I doubt it hardly ever will.

Overall, just great-great-great!! A high recommendation!

Rating:
Summary: Almost everything in XP is a SERVICE PACK save your money!
Review: Almost everything in XP is a SERVICE PACK save your money!