Rating: 
Summary: Don't get too Dependant on the product
Review: I like some of the security features that come with Windows XP home, such as the firewall, and Windows 2000 security platform. However there are other advance techniques that the operating system will not let you do. Another problem is software compatibility...some of my old(not that old purchased last year) programs do not work even with the compatability wizard. I don't want myself and others to get caught up and too dependant upon the product for help and let the operating system do everything for me, I'd like to learn and setup my own features. My laptop came pre installed with Windows XP and it is good until I put software on it for my digital camera. I will keep Windows 98 on my computer until the new operating system stops rejecting my software.
Rating: 
Summary: 1 star is too many
Review: Microsoft has mangaged to take a mediocre OS and turn it into complete junk. It's not really dificult to use for most normal tasks, it just makes them more frustrating. My real problem is the hardware compatability issue. So far my sound card and DSL modem will not work with this OS. I've downloaded the driver updates and still the hardware will not work.Honestly, I'd recomend sticking with Win98 se, or if you are just sick of Windows alltogether, try Red Hat Linux. Linux is not as easy to use as Windows, but it is much cheaper (some versions are free) and can be altered to suit your needs. If you want to give it a try I recomend buying Red Hat Linux 7 Weekend Crash Course, by Nabba Barkakati. It comes with a copy of Linux and will get you through the basics in no time, though probably not a weekend. A background in DOS or Unix would help also, but it's not necessary.
Rating:
Summary: get an apple!
Review: I've used every version of Windows up through Windows XP. When XP finally came out, I had to have it. If you haven't gotten it yet... don't bother. Get an Apple.
Rating:
Summary: Could Have Been The Best OS...
Review: I rate this OS 4 stars. It was great but could have been better. The graphics are intense but there have been many system crashes. There are also many compatibility issues. I had to download drivers for my HP Scanner, my Epson Printer, and many other pieces of software. It wasn't easy to find everything. Many people cannot find any drivers at all. So they are stuck, I got lucky. I believe this is a great operating system but I also think you should check out your compatibility information before purchasing Windows XP. It can be great but can also be a pain.
Rating:
Summary: c5
Review: Save your money. Buy a barebones if you need a new computer. Otherwise install "Xtreme Pain" on another drive. That way you can still access your hp devices, copy music CDs and use your favorite software from the 98 drive. Xp does have a prettier version of minesweeper and online checkers.
Rating:
Summary: Get a mac
Review: They are so much easier to use and have many great applications. You can even share your windows files quite easily on a mac, and vise versa.
Rating:
Summary: A travesty of an operating system
Review: Your privacy and wallet does not matter to Microsoft. To top it all off, you must completely relearn Windows. Don't ever buy this sorry product, and Microsoft will learn not to redesign their OS every 2 years.
Rating:
Summary: XP Home Pretty Darn Good!
Review: I upgraded my Celeron366 computer frm Win98Classic to XP Home, and, believe it or not, it's so much better! Excellent hardware support, easier than ever, though, a little hard getting used to if your used to running the old Windows98. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Holding on strong after a year... I like it!
Review: Approximately one year after Microsoft released its most recent 100-pound gorilla Operating System, most of my impressions of XP remain the same. The memory occupied by the two of the processes that Windows runs on 2000: Explorer.exe and Svchost.exe amounts to approx. 12 MB. Same two processes in XP take up almost 30 MB. If you don't believe me, press Ctrl+Alt-Del, and select the tab named processes. What this translates into, in layman's terms is: Windows XP is considerably heavier on the machine on which it's running. Don't even consider running it on computers with less than 256 MB, even if Microsoft says that you can run it with 128 MB alone. You'll suffer the consequences of slowness if you do. Having spoken about memory, I have to say XP solves some issues that home users have been confronting for a while, such as multiple user login management. Some of the add-ons are nice, but nothing you can't work around with a few downloads: Remote desktop = terminal services, just bundled within the OS, for example; integrated DVD-playing and CD-R burning. They moved around stuff, and applied some of the intelligence they've gained over the past few years (remove icons from the desktop, as most people actually don't use them, for example); and they're being extra-careful not to turn ON too many features you might not want (or afford) to have on your machine, all of which are very nice things. It seems that Microsoft was able to pull off the Operating System that all users have been expecting for the longest time. Every time a new version of Windows has been released, over the course of a few months several patches have been issued to correct issues detected with it, and XP is no exception to this: the day of its release 20 MB worth of patches were ready to be downloaded from the company's web site. Microsft has continued to release patches in the course of the past ferw months, but nothing that would make you think they didn't get the thing right the first time. HEADS UP: watch for a new "feature" that Microsoft bundled with the new OS. It's called Windows Activation(...) In two plates, it's aimed at giving Microsoft a buzz when/if a copy of the Operating System becomes installed in more than one machine, in fact, even if it's only installed in one machine, it warns them about the attempt to install the software in any other machine other than the native one where it was first installed. Now, all in all, it's Microsoft's most stable OS so far! In the couple of months it's been running, it hasn't crashed a single time. It doesn't run all day long (like Windows 2000 Professional used to), but it has not given even the slightest problem. One final tip, though: before upgrading, double-triple check with your hardware provider to see if they have a checklist of steps to follow in order to ensure transparency in the process. I did have to uninstall some software HP knew ahead of time that wouldn't work with XP, and later reinstall the XP-compatible versions, but it was worth every single minute of the 120 minute+ step-by-step process. If you are one of those persons who does his or her own thing, then I recommend (as you should do, regardless) a fresh install after you backup all your computer's files. Good luck, and happy XP'ing!!
Rating: 
Summary: A big relief from my previous operating system!
Review: My computer came with Windows ME. Apparently, it did not handle the memory well. After using a program or two, or surfing the Internet for a short time, it would progressively slow down and eventually stall completely, giving the notice, "The System is Dangerously Low on Resources". With RAM of 265 megs, this didn't please me very well. I decided to try the upgrade to XP Home Edition. On installing, the XP recognized all of my hardware without further help on my part. It also kept all my software and works fine with it. I had to update a program for the DVD drive, which was easy. Nothing else was necessary; just let the XP Upgrade install itself. My computer now operates reliably for as long as I want to use it. There are no more slow downs and so far no freeze ups at all. It operates in a more positive way. It's a bit faster for web page downloads and picture downloads with a dial up Internet connection. After using Windows 95, 98, ME, and this XP, I would definitely say that XP is by far the best of the four systems. It also has a prettier look and I really like the newer Start Menu design. It operates intuitively if one is used to using Windows.
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