Rating: 
Summary: Best OS on Market
Review: This is the operating system that all Linux users wish Linux would be. It is what the Cofounders of BeOS wish their failed product would have been. And it is the envy of Steve Jobs.Yes Anti-Microsoft junkies, this is your worst enemy. Its productive, efficient, performs well, intuitive, and has a low TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife, and thou shalt not covet this product, buy it . . . its yours.
Rating: 
Summary: Windows XP - getting there
Review: After encountering some problems when I first installed Windows XP, I have gotten everything back up and running and I can now say that I actually LIKE Windows XP Home Edition. There are still problems, but over all it is a worthwhile upgrade and improves on previous versions of Windows. With regards to problems encountered during my intial upgrade to XP... I have been working with computers since 1986. I have survived DOS, Windows 3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, ME, NT, and 2000. There have been many bumps in the road but I have always been able to get my system back up and running regardless of how or why it crashed. After initially receiving a C0000218 error message indicating that the Registry had been corrupted, I had to purchase and install a new hard drive in order to get my system up and running. I was able to install my existing drive as a secondary and access the data that was still on that drive. I am not sure if Microsoft has since corrected this particular problem which I understand is very rare in occurence.
Rating:
Summary: Best I've tried
Review: Window's XP is the best Window's OS I've tried. I've had every Window's OS since 3.1. A year ago I upgraded from Windows 98 to Windows Me and the bugginess increased dramatically. My computer crashed at least once a day, if not more. Since installing XP, I have had a totally different experience. XP does crash sometimes, but not often. It's very stable. That alone is a huge plus for XP. The installation was the easiest install I've had. I had zero problems with device drivers not being detected when installing the OS. That impressed me. I remember installing 98 and a third of my devices were not detected. How far Windows has come.
Windows XP is not perfect but it's getting closer to the mark.
Rating:
Summary: Fixed all my computer problems without having to reformat
Review: I was a bit hesitant about buying this new software but Officemax had it for 50% off so, couldn't resist along with a 20 dollar rebate from microsoft. I have hp 6630 with 128mb ram and it has been acting like a total wretch the last couple of months, my internet had some funky thing going on where after 40 minutes it locked up. Some internet site put code in my windows section so it always loaded to their page no matter how many times i changed my internet start page. Along with my computer always locking up, crashing and generally turning off i just thought i needed a new computer. I installed the software with a bit of trouble because my cd-rom driver is horrid i know i got a bad one for sure but i just copied the whole disc to my hard drive and took it from there. It installed great after that,I had a similar problem installing the word upgrade due to my cd-rom so i did the same thing installed it on my hard drive. The software took care of all my internet problems wiped out that annoying startup page and whatever code they hide on my computer, my computer no longer freezes like it did. Plus i no longer have to use the pain in the butt kodak digital camera software to transfer my pictures the xp software is by far better and way quicker. When i used the defrag option it did change my soundcard and my cd-rom so i lost my sound. I fixed it by uninstalling my cd-rom and when i loaded up again my sound was back for some reason. I hate buying software but this really is a must if you are having problems with your computer and have at least pentium 2 or above along with some memory.
Rating:
Summary: XP Home is the best OS
Review: Well, I just got me an HP Pavilion 750n. It came with XP. I've used Mac OS, linux and (of course!) Windows since 3.1
I must say that this operating system is worth the money! I have a lexmark printer and a Canon scanner, plus an older SB LIVE value soundcard and a wacom tablet. I plugged everything in and powered up......
and everything is detected and works as its supposed to work. Configuration of multiple accounts was a breeze and I've not had a single lockup or porgram or game that wouldn't work. In addition I was able to setup the computer with the latest server build from Apache as well as MySql and everything is just hunky-dory.
For specs I've got a P4 1.6 ghz processor, 80 gb hdd and 512 of DDR ram. I do agree that you should lay your hands on as much ram as possible, just for speed of games and 3d apps. I can now run Premiere, Golive, Imageready and Photoshop, brose teh web AND switch backa nd forth from a game I'm playing, without any crashing at all. PS I've got some older games to (1998 or so) and they work great in XP, without the need to even run compatibility mode. In a nutshell, I would recommend getting XP. Its faster more stable and non-intimidating for the novice and just plain nice to look at for us old pros.
Thanks for reading!
Rating: 
Summary: I'm going to go back to 98SE.
Review: I bought a new computer with XP installed, and I'm not happy. There are a few improvements with XP, but it does lock up and crash randomly--most disconcerting is how much it slows down your computer. My husband is running ME on a 1.5 GH with 256ram and his computer runs much faster then my XP on a 2.2 GH with 512ram (we have the same brand & type computer/chipset). I've also found many bugs, when setting up a network, it automatically changes the network card I select to my firewire--to use the network card, I have to select the firewire! All the online prompts for novice users that can't be turned off, are very irritating to experience users. Especially since you need to be an experienced user in order to figure out all the bugs and how to install all the updates to your old software programs. From my experience and from what others have said Windows 98SE is the most stable and fastest home operating system available.
I recommend that people stay away from XP until a service pack is available to fix many of the bugs.
Rating: 
Summary: Awkward, irritating and nosy
Review: Possibly the worst Microsoft OS since Windows 3.1 (and that's saying something). Here are some of the problems I've had: *terrible backwards compatibility. A lot of the software I have won't load using Windows XP. *Hardware driver problems--XP couldn't handle my HP Deskjet without some serious effort on my part. *incredibly annoying pop-up windows. There seems to be an inexhaustable supply of these things until you figure out how to turn them off. *if you're connected to the internet via a LAN expect to be constantly bugged by your computer connecting to things you don't want, didn't ask for and don't need. *the (lack of) privacy features are appalling. I find the uninvited nosiness of Microsoft jaw droppingly sneaky. It's Bibg Brother creepy. *the new design is like something from fischer-price. I guess this is more of personal taste issue, but I much preferred the Windows 2000/NT set up. *very pushy about trying to get you adopt certain software packages as your defaults (all Microsoft, of course). Those who aren't computer savvy may could easily get hoodwinked and end up with something they didn't really want, or at least never consider (often better) alternatives. I could go on and on. Bottom line--if you have Windows 2000/NT (heck, even 95 or 98)--don't upgrade to this. XP was the final straw for me--I use 2000 at work and loaded Linux at home. I'm much, much, much happier with the latter than with XP.
Rating:
Summary: Another POS from MS
Review: MS manage to change the Interface again. For existing users of Windows, this beast takes some time to get used to. I find myself constantly looking at help, looking for some stupid menu item. It makes experienced user feels like ignorant as the Windows beginners.
Comes with many small programs, but many times, I rather pay for professional software than deal with more of MS [stuff]. All this unwanted features gets in the way of accomplishing my goals.
Comming from Windows 2000, I did not see much of speed advantage.
Beginners of Windows may like all the extra featurs, but as an experienced user, I cannot get any work done with this POS.
Rating:
Summary: Very stable and great new look!
Review: I think Windows XP is the best operating system yet. I got it, installed it, and it worked right away! I love the new look too. Windows XP has never crashed where I have had to restart the computer either... Very stable! Great job Microsoft!
Rating:
Summary: WAIT!!
Review: I bought a new HP 780 -- Pentium 4 / 200 GHz, etc. (a powerful computer); came with Windows XP. Running XP has been a BIG HEADACE! As others have mentioned -- because Windows XP uses new/different codes, my HP all-in-one printer, fax, copier, scanner DOESN'T WORK with my new HP computer with Windows XP (apparently, HP is "working on" getting some new drivers out -- MAYBE before Christmas). My HP stand-a-lone flat bed scanner -- also, DOESN'T WORK! Windows XP, also, has a combersome interface -- made mostly for basic beginers who only use a computer for the internet. As usual, Microsoft has put in A LOT of spontaneous connections to THEIR products -- its like have a car that only runs on one brand of gas. I get anoid with screens that just "pop up" out of nowhere and promote some Microsoft Product. Again, XP is targeting AND CAPTIVATING the otherwise ignorant internet user. I, actually, checked into reloading my new computer with my old Windows ME -- which, I found, to be very good. With Windows XP, I feel I'm being dragged into the Microsoft web -- where it becomes so sticky, you can't get out! Finally, I've checked, and they're coming out with patches and fixes to the many problems with Windows XP -- the updates are "supposed" to be out in the second-half of this year -- hopefully, before Christmas (and, this time, that's for real)! So, WAIT for the fixes before you buy a new computer with the Windows XP operating system; and, obviously, don't go buy an Upgrade to XP until the bugs are fixed!
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