Rating: 
Summary: Nice new features, but crashes previously stable computers
Review: I have a love/hate with Windows XP right now: I love the new look and the new features, but I hate the fact that BOTH computers I have on Windows XP crash repeatedly and often. This is NOT the stable OS Microsoft talks about in their ads -- at least not yet!On the positive side, as several other reviewers have remarked, the new Plug and Play is beautiful. Support for wireless, pictures, video, and music is dramatically improved. You can work with all of these objects right at the desktop level. The operating system loads faster and feels faster. I think it's more intuitive and more fun to use, too. HOWEVER, BE WARNED: I have the very latest version (with all the updates) on TWO computers, and BOTH are crashing on me. One system is a new Dell Latitude CP810 laptop I purchased with Windows XP Professional installed. This crashes, oh, probably 3-4 times per day. The crashes are random, but always seem to take place when I click on something: I'll click on a link in Internet Explorer, or my calendar in Outlook. BAM! The computer restarts. I had a similar Dell Laptop running Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2) and never had ANY crashes with it. So the stability factor has gone WAY down. I've submitted numerous crash and bug reports to Microsoft and the system always says I'll be contacted within a few days by email -- I've not received any response in 10 days despite repeated queries and crashes. My conclusion from this is that
Microsoft is just swamped with crashes on this not-ready-for-prime-time OS. The other computer is an HP Pavillion that formerly ran Windows 2000 and never crashed. Just last night, it decided to crash while nothing happened at all! Not good. I hope Microsoft will fix it, as Windows XP has a lot of potential. But as of now, I cannot recommend this product. Even though it restarts faster from crashes, that's still not a fair trade for having a stable system. Stick with Windows 2000 until Microsoft figures out how to REALLY keep this OS from crashing. It is definitely FAR from crash proof right now as I can attest!
Rating: 
Summary: Slick looking, and pretty stable!
Review: Okay, for years, Windows has several colorful names (Win-duhs, Win-doze, etc...), mostly because it's stability is highly questionable. By using NTFS vs. FAT filing system for their latest O/S, Microsoft HAS improved it's stability and given users a few new features in the process! Windows XP handles a lot like a cross between all of Microsoft's platforms. Don't think it's problem-free, but it has gotten better! 1. STYLE: It does take a little bit to get used to XPs layout (especially if you've used '98 for years). If you know the shortcuts (like start button + E to access explorer) you can jump around fairly quickly. The start menu takes a little getting used to, but after you adapt, it becomes almost preferable. Still, using the "Classic" setting for the control panel is a fairly good idea if you don't like bouncing through folders. Good news also is that the defrag software is rather impressive compared to the old stuff and you don't have to run scan-disc unless you really think you need to. 2. XP is VERY versatile. It can emulate 9X, ME, 2000 and it's DOS emulation runs most my old (and I do mean OLD) games. 3. Stability in Windows XP doesn't seem to equal rock-solid... I've gotten the blue screen of death a couple of times, and with my logitech "QuickCam", if I try to update my drivers, my PC won't powerdown. Also, older peripherals are NOT XP friendly! Some printers are a pain to configure... make sure to download XP specific drivers off the vendor's web-site. 4. POWER: I have 256 megs of DDR memory... and I can tap it out. XP is a real vacuum for memory, and I wouldn't recommend it's use with anything less than 256! 512 if you can swing it! 5. UPDATES: Updates are a real pain... I accidently over-wrote my C: drive with Openlinux, and putting Windows back to it's original operating state took about eight straight hours. Not that XP is by any means that hard or take that long to load, it just takes time to find and download all the XP drivers for your hardware and restart after every program you load... over and over and over again. NOTE: If you want dual processor support and other, more in-depth hardware/network abilities, you'll need to upgrade to XP Professional. On the whole, I'd recommend XP. It supports a lot of new features, and is fairly versatile. Still, be aware that MS is still ironing out bugs. I think we can expect XP 2nd edition or some such very soon.
Rating: 
Summary: The most advanced, stable and user-oriented Windows O.S.
Review: All the things you have heard about XP Professional are true : Stable and crash-free, integrated help and support w/Remote Desktop features, and a resource-intensive memory platform. Before the upgrade will commence, you must first run an "upgrade wizard", which simply places your pc under intensive scrutiny and identifies any and all problems before you can go forward. Don't worry, anyone using Windows 2000 will most likely be able to run XP with minimal upgrading required. All the issues I had were with 2000, and my upgrade to XP was a breeze. My computer has NEVER ran so quickly or as stable in the almost 3 years I have owned it. Once you resolve the hardware and or software requirements, it's a snap to install. A word of caution:Do Not think you can get by with just 64 megs of RAM! A close friend and computer enthusiast of mine tried it out on one of his 64 meg pc's and it did not work well at all. But, after we picked up a few sticks of 168 pin 128 meg DIMMs (that's a mouthful), the machine ran like a champ. This is the best Windows operating system ever, and it makes me wonder how they will top it in the next version.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointed with XP
Review: I have to say I am very disappointed with Windows XP. I have not have had as many problems with an operating system as I have with XP. If XP thinks there is going to be a problem, the system goes Blue Screen and restarts the computer. I have been trying XP since it first came out, and have not been having any luck with it. Half of my programs will not work with XP, if you play any games, don't even bother getting XP. you will be lucky if it even will load up. When it does load up and you start getting into the game, it Blue Screens and restarts again. I have been trying and trying, I now uninstalled XP and went back to 98 Second Edition. I was just as disappointed with ME, but that at least did not crash anywhere near as much as XP. I would suggest either staying with 98 SE or go with 2000 PRO. I have 4 computers and I will stay with my Win2K PRO and 98SE. Until they come out with XP Second Edition, save yourself a lot of time and headache and don't bother with XP
Rating:
Summary: Clues! Get your red hot clues here!
Review: Folx, allow me to submit something for your consideration. MS's new product activation requirement is a baby step. This is the way things are done by organizations that want to affect entire populations. It's never enough to get angry about, never enough to migrate away to a different OS, just slow, subtle creep. Product activation is to acclimatize you, the user, to the idea of routinely asking MS for permission before you run *your* software that you bought from them. The destination of this step is that MS will stop selling its products and start renting them out. You will pay a monthly fee to use windows, word, excel, whatever. You (your computer) will check w/ MS (probably automatically over the internet, in the background) before any program launches. If you've paid your dues that month (probably an automatic debit from your checking account), you be able to run your program. MS admires AOLs (monthly fee) business model; this is how they will get there. If you're content with a future where you pay for software for the rest of your life, use XP. On the other hand, XP is more stable, faster, and prettier than previous versions. It still doesn't work, crashes the system, and can't recognize many peripherals; but it does work better. Two more points:
1. Prod. Act. checks your hw config; if it changes too much, you can't run. The automatic fallout is that you can only run XP on one system, regardless of how many you own. It's like buying a cd and only being allowed to play it on your home stereo, not in your car or discman. 2. Piracy. Risk and reward. The only reason people pirate OS's and cd's is b/c they cost more than they are worth; people have a natural hatred of getting ripped off. If Windows cost the $50 (and a cd the $5) that it's worth, no one would try to pirate them, because the reward would not justify the risk.
Rating:
Summary: XP Home Edition is the best household OS I have ever used!
Review: Updated 08-25-2003: Windows XP still running strong, I love it! Original review:
It was a cold January weekend, and I decided to take the plunge and upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows XP Home Edition. In short, I totally love this OS. It does not crash, runs and boots fast, and most of my existing software and hardware runs great. THE MAIN REASON I HAD AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE WITH WINDOWS XP is because I read both the Windows XP website and my computer manufactures XP website for compatability issues. This is a must do - please take the time to flush out any negative issues before you upgrade. And, if you have a CD burner, before you upgrade, burn a mirror image of everything you have stored on your hard drive as a backup copy. Plus, make an Emergency Boot Disk in your current version of Windows. I'm confident if you do the above due diligence and have the minimum hardware specs, you will also love Windows XP.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice product, but be prepared to replace hardware
Review: Although it has some great features, especially the auto detect for harware configuration, you should be prepared to replace several pieces of hardware on your computer. I ended up having to replace my video card. At this point my cd burner won't work and scanner does not have a driver update for XP. Now before you scold, these items are name brand - Iomega cd burner and Visioneer scanner. Overall I would only suggest putting XP on a totally new system and not upgrading an existing computer.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Operating System
Review: I have gone through every single operating system (for home) and also through 2000, and this is the best one yet. As soon as I heard that the first 1,000 people to sign up for the RC versions would get a free copy of the beta, I immediately put my hands on the offer. Microsoft improved it dramatically from Beta to Final Version. Then on RC2, it only lasted 30 days(even though I activated it) so I complained to Microsoft and they sent me the full version for free. I don't get why people complain about Microsoft if they were nice enough to do that. Well anyways, I installed XP Pro the first day I got it, and I was amazed by it. It only took me about 1 hour 15 minutes.
My specs for comparison:
800 mHZ PIII w/ Speedstep
20 gig hard-drive
128 MB Ram
15" TFT XGA Active Matrix
I runs alot faster than the Windows Me I had on here which is great. Boots up a lot more faster also(except for the amount of time required to type in your password). Desktop is nice and full, but I recommend that you have 1024 X 768 for best resolution on XP. The start menu is also very nice and I don't have to search though all my programs to look for the one I want, all I have to do is open the start menu and my most frequently used programs are there. Another nice and overlooked feature is the hide feature on your taskbar. This is so you don't have a huge line of icons on it, but only the ones you want. Also when a program wants to tell you something, the taskbar just flips up. This is good because if you have your volume on mute (for example) and you have AIM on, it tells you if you have a new instant message. Also if you have a lot of programs open, the taskbar clusters them into groups for you so it doesn't get so cluttered. Over all this is a nice operating system, but there are the problems such as you can't not have an automatic log-on in the beginning and it takes a little longer to shut down. Also sometimes when I open Compuserve, it does this network configuration thing that takes a little time to complete. But otherwise this is a good, solid operating system.
Rating:
Summary: XP? More like MicroSoft PB (for Pandora's Box)
Review: Beware what you are getting into; This is anything BUT smooth sailing! As a Windows 2000 user my first mistake was buying the XP "Home" edition. Afterwards I found out from tech support that Windows 2000 users must instead buy the XP "Professional" upgrade. Why MicroSoft doesn't explain this on the box itself in BIG letters is perplexing. My next mistake was finally buying the "Professional" upgrade. That is when I found out that Roxio's CD creator is NOT compatible. Quick Time 3.0 isn't compatible either. Novice computer users will go through hell trying to download and install these upgrades. As an intermediate computer user I am still stuck on these installs. Once I got XP installed I found out that my sound card driver was not compatible with XP. My Steinberg "Nuendo" audio recording software will not open. Something about a "Syncrosoft POS error". In conclusion I would recommend that one ONLY get XP on a BRAND NEW system. Try to do an XP upgrade and you will be pulling your hair out in frustration over the can of worms you've opened.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed Results
Review: I'm what one might call a mid-level computer user. I've been using MS products for about 17 years. I don't write code, but I do a lot of work with computers.
Anyhow, I just bought a new SOny RX550 computer with Win XP home edition pre-installed. First observation -- it recognized and installed new hardware, i.e. a hew hard drive instantly and without fuss. Great. Loved it.
About a week later I got around to installing my scanner. Ahem. That is, I tried to install a relatively new, UMAX 6400 fire wire scanner. No dice. XP won't recognize the firewire card (discovered that the IEEE 1394 interfaces on the machine are not the same as the IEEE fire wire interface that the scanner uses...hmmm....) and so the scanner goes back on the old clunker with 98SE (but that's another story...). Bottom line, scanner won't work with the new hardware/software combo. Sony and UMAX both told me i was basically SOL. Silly me for expecting relatively new IEEE 1394-based hardware to work with the new MS OS. Still, I give them credit for the flawless performance of the hardware that DOES work with the unit.
Caveat emptor, folks.
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