I need the lowdown on Windows XP...

Is Windows business version the same as Windows Professional?

If so, I have it. So far I have had zero problems with it, other than being a little sluggish, but that's because I don't have enough RAM in my machine. Has never crashed once.

 

XP is AWESOME! The best version of WIndows out yet.. here's a brief history.

Back in the days there was DOS.. ( I can go back further if needed.. =) )

There were different versions of DOS, 3.1, 5, etc. Then Windows 3.0 was released. Then Windows 3.1 was released. Then Windows 95 which was supposed to be a HUGE breakthrough.. (I personalyl still preferred DOS). Then Windows 98, 98se, Me. Now this is on the consumer side.

As for the business/corporate side, there was WIndows NT Server, Client 3.5, 4.0, then Windows 2000.

Now weighing the two OS's, Windows 9x vs NT kernel (2000), win2k is MUCH MORE stable, BUT win 9x series had more support, plug n play etc..

Now bringing us CURRENT, we have WinXP which is the stability from WIN2K (because it uses this kernel) AND the support (drivers, devices, etc.) of the Win9x,ME series. So basically XP is the MOST advanced, sophisticated MS product out there now.

As to what to recommend? Well, I would recommend getting WIndows XP Pro instead of Home because it has more features and isn't that much more in prices..

If you want more information, check out:

forums.anandtech.com and the software section. You can also get GREAT deals if you check out the Hot Deals section.. I think WinXP Pro was selling for $49??

Anyhow those are my 2 cents and a quick msg on OS's.. I am using XP and it is GREAT.. much more stable.

As for whether I personally prefer MS or UNIX/LINUX, that's another discussion.. MS still has a ways to go before it is as stable, less overhead, than linux.. =)

 

Stay away from ME (Millennium). I have not used XP but I am told it is fine by others running it. I prefer 2000 but it depends on what they offer nowadays for new OEM PC's.

-Peace, Dave

 

I use XP professional and it is their best O/S yet ( that may not be saying much )

The only difference between home and Prof. is some of the features. The stability is the same and I have only had my system lock up once since installing XP ( playing Microsoft Train Simulator )

 

I was a die hard Mac fanatic since Mac OS X came out I decided to make the leap into the windows world .

I am using win XP and its works very smoothly. I have very little problems with it and havn't looked back into macs. (although I am in lust with the new Apple IPOD)

 

I'm a mac-head from the old Lisa days -- I made the jump about 2 years ago and, more or less, I'm quite pleased. More available stuff -better syncro. with my handheld (iPAQ).

Here's a good way to compare (from MS-XP):

Ask yourself these five questions to find out which one is right for you:

• Do you want to remotely access your computer so you can work with all your data and applications while away from your desk?
  Remote Desktop, a feature found only in Windows XP Professional, lets you set up your computer for connection from any other Windows-based computer. Leave a file at home? Don't want to lug a laptop around? Remote Desktop gives you access to your computer from virtually anywhere. More about Remote Desktop.
  
• Do you connect to a large network?
  Windows XP Professional is best for people who connect to large networks, such as a school or office network, since it allows you to join and be managed by a Windows domain. More about joining networks.
  
• Do you need to protect sensitive data in files and folders that are stored on your computer?
  The Encrypting File System (EFS), found in Windows XP Professional but not Windows XP Home Edition, allows you to encrypt your files and folders for added security of sensitive data against theft or hackers. Restricted File Access, also found only in Professional, allows you to restrict access to selected files, applications, and other resources. More about EFS.
  
• Do you need the ability to completely restore your system in the event of a catastrophic failure?
  Windows XP Professional provides more robust options for backing up and restoring data than Home Edition. More about System Restore and other restore options.
  
• Would you consider yourself a "power user"?
  Windows XP Professional contains a number of incremental features too numerous to list here. Suffice it to say, users who demand the most from their computers will want to "go Pro." Some additional features found only in Windows XP Professional are:
  
  Advanced networking for multiple PC environments
  Internet Information Services (IIS), a Windows XP Professional feature that lets you host and manage personal Web sites
  Support for multiple-processor systems
  Support for multiple languages

Congrats on the new job - and good luck. Maybe some of us will benefit from your projects in later years!!!

Best,
mj

 

get the 8200 laptop, its alot more juicy, I got mine this week I loooove it. I use it naked.

 

Doesn't matter what laptop you want as long as it's got the features you are looking for.

As for OS selection?

XP Pro vs XP Home?

XP Home - paying for a Toyota, getting a Kia, same mileage and gas consumption but you know what? it's still not the same class of car.

Suffice to say, XP Pro. Wouldn't touch XP Home with a 100ft pole.

Mac-heads won't notice anything from XP Pro with XP Home, however, try to do more (networking etc) and Pro is the way to go.

The best decent notebook out there is the Dell Inspiron 8200..... 1 fixed bay, 2 swap bays for dvd+cdrw + 2 batteries = 6 hour battery life with the best LCD screen on the block (UXGA or UltraSharp)

See www.techbargains.com before purchasing any laptop for best deals to get.

One more thing, get the cheapest 3 year warranty. Notebooks don't break in the first year, they break with wear and tear.

 

Either Windows 2000 or Windows XP provides the same level of stability.
To wit, extremely high. While PROGRAMS running under either OS may crash because the programmers wrote them wrong, 2000 and XP almost NEVER crash when configured properly.
I have a Windows 2000 PC at work. It just crashed for the first time last week. I got it on my desk on 07/27/2001.
My PC at home hasn't crashed yet. It runs the OS version you are considering buying. My PC at home was purchased right before Christmas.

By the way, the unversity you referenced is probably being lazy and not wanting to perform QC testing to ensure compatibility of all 99 applications that MUST run on university PCs with XP. That is an understandable action on their part, but not one that can be interpreted as actually saying anything about XP except that it is new.

 

Marci, if you wait a few weeks too, alot of new deals will surface at dell. like free upgrade of display, or addition hard drive space. Never buy additonal memory at dell, you can get it cheaper aftermarket. Oh you want the extra battery if you get the 8200. DVD. etc.

 

I could go on and on, but other already have. Two things make the upgrade form older versions of Windows worth it. First, it (almost) never crashes. Second, XP loads fast. I remember on my last laptop (a Sony Vaio with W98, P700, 12 gig hard drive, and 256 Megs of ram), from the time I hit the power button, I could go for a walk, talk to the neighbor, pull some weeds, have breakfast, take a shower, clip my toenails, get dressed, and go back to the computer. It would almost be ready for me to start working at that point. With XP, hit Start and get ready to work.

One caution. Because XP is still relatively new, not all of the third party vendors have caught up to it yet. I bought a package that included a Lexmark all-in-one. Lexmark has not done their homework and their drivers are not XP certified. Getting that to work was a major pain. I've looked for more current drivers recently, and there still are none that are XP certified. I would definitely not recommend Lexmark. Stick to HP. They tend to be more meticulous about the details.

 

I looked at their site. Depending on which specific model of the EX you have, you might be all set. On their XP Drivers info page (link), it says that Windows XP has built in drivers for a bunch of their printers including the following:

Stylus Photo EX ESC/P 2
Stylus Photo EX3 ESC/P 2

I hope that one of these describes yours. Otherwise, you may be out of luck until they build a driver for your specific model.

Good Luck!

 

I'm happy I could help. I've owed you big for quite some time.

Take Care!