Despite the efforts of our sister title Infoworld's 'Save XP' campaign, Microsoft still plans to kill Windows XP in June. This despite the fact that there's been a huge backlash against Windows Vista, one that's led many people to plan to skip the upgrade cycle and wait for Vista's successor before dumping XP.
Will Windows XP still be properly supported by Microsoft and, as a primary development target, by third parties? Is there something XP die-hards have missed, some hidden gotcha that's going to trip them up 12, 18, or 24 months from now?
Of course, there's no universal answer to the Vista upgrade question. Yes, in all likelihood you'll be just fine sticking with Windows XP – at least until Windows 7 ships in 2009 or 2010. But let's not rush to universal judgement. Let's take a close, measured look at the key considerations, and compare Vista's merits against the state of XP on the essential points that IT organisations and end-users care about. And if we can't solve this calmly and objectively, like fair-minded professionals, then let's at least have a good fight.
Are you ready to rumble? Okay, then. Operating systems, return to your corners, and come out swinging.
NEXT PAGE: How do XP and Vista compare in terms of security?
Comments
Old MacDonald said: When my W98 machine finally died this year my wife took over our W2K laptop It was time for me to get a new box Firefox 3 wasnt going to support W98 anyway so the timing was right I got my moneys worth on that old beast I shopped and shopped Mac Vista Linux I needed to run Quicken and some other software that wont run on a Mac or Linux so MS it had to be My final conclusion I spent 200 on a refurbished P4 HT 3ghz IBM with XP pro and still use my monitor mouse and keyboard The rest of the money that I would have spent is now happily invested in a deepwater oil driller
Muhammed CANBAY said: Ben Onu Bunu BilmemVista Grsel Efek Olarak Basarili Olsa Bile Performans Bakimindan ok Zayif XP Derseniz Grsel Efektleri Gelistirilebilir ve Performans Olarak ok Basarili Bir Sistemdir Herkese Tavsiyem Win XP SP2
Nicholas Tindall said: Never liked Xp but after some software was getting harder to or missing out on w2k I decided to upgrade Im impressed and I like it but I wouldnt have bothered if W2k had continued to offer what I needed I also find 64bit works better probably just me though
frankc said: I recently went on a neighbours PC His computer seemed slow compared to mine until I upgraded to vista His now seems to be lighning fast compard to mine I am getting used to vista now but if I had my time over I would definately NOT downgrade to Vista Yes thats what i think it is a downgrade Think about it Slower harder to use certainly more irritataing You can keep vista for me When I get my new computer I am putting good old xp on it
frankc said: I recently went on a neighbours PC His computer seemed slow compared to mine until I upgraded to vista His now seems to be lighning fast compard to mine I am getting used to vista now but if I had my time over I would definately NOT downgrade to Vista Yes thats what i think it is a downgrade Think about it Slower harder to use certainly more irritataing You can keep vista for me When I get my new computer I am putting good old xp on it
Roderick Moodley said: I bought a Dual core 64 bit PC 1 and a half years ago because I thought that Vista would be able to use the 64 bit technology to take my computing experience to the next level but I have since found out that 64-bit Vista is so fussy when it comes to drivers and certain applications its just not worth the hassle LONG LIVE XP
Dennis Treeby said: What about all the hardware amp software recently purchased that is now useless as it is not compatible with vista
JohnnyRock said: Like many PC users my main reason for owning a computer is so I can access the Internet From what I have seen I cant see how upgrading to Vista would improve my on-line experience much if at all I certainly wont be tempted to do this just by a few flashy graphics If I really feel the need for a bit of technological eye candy then I can easily scratch that itch with increasingly powerful broadband-fuelled web content For me the OS is simply the device which gets me from A to B from off-line to on-line and since XP already allows me to do this in a reasonably secure and stable fashion then I see no reason to upgrade
Compter Ltd said: even upgraded
Compter Ltd said: It is possible to buy computers with XP on now Go to PC Business World online Scan down all of their computers until you find one with the right spec that also says XP Pro and also may be upraded to Vista at a later date Best of both worlds if necessary
Brian Walters said: Just purchased a new laptop with Vista on it I have no Vista operating disc so tried to install XP only to find XP does nor recognise a SATA Drive So I am stuck with it and no Vista software except a Backup to return to original situation probably loosing all upgrades etc
John Cavanagh said: How come Microsoft made such a hash of it The people who work there are not idiots They are very clever indeedSo what is the real reason behind itWin95 Win98 Win XP All winners in their own way and now Vista which is so bad I am not and expert at all but there is surely something wrong here And its not just an OS
Ray Woods said: May be this is now the time to go over to something like openSUSE Linux like I did Within a few days I was doing everything I did on XpVista but a lot more quickly and 64 bit too Many of the Linux distributions are becoming very polished and all you need to do is download a few distributions find which one looks best for you using a Live version then buy a book or possibly two Do I miss Microsoft Not in the slightest
Robert Badger said: I dont intend upgrading to Vista unless I have a new computer but werent we all saying very similar things about Win 98 SP2 and XP
Robert Badger said: I dont intend upgrading to Vista unless I have a new computer but werent we all saying very similar things about Win 98 SP2 and XP
Peter Jones said: I think I will examine the Apple OS before I decide to upgrade to Vista
Alfred John Benson said: Kate PhinnSee my post aboveProviding you have not activated your Vista operating system you could re-install it laterIf you have Vista pre-installed AND have the Vista Installation disk there is no problemThe XP Instalation disk would allow you to overwrite the Vista operating system
Carol said: Why must we update I am happy with WindowsXP
Kate Phinn said: Thats all very well but try buying a new PC without Vista impossible and I dont have enough savvy to try to run XP on a computer already with Vista and even if I could could I then later use my authentic copy of Vista
Compter Ltd said: As I still use windows 2000 prof on desk top mostly and have one new lap top computer with XP I will not be a happy book keeper if XP is not supported I have been told countless times by my IT plumber do not fix what is not broken 2000 and XP operate the majority of what the majority of us want Please please do not go with VISTA - Microsoft just went too far too quickly - pride comes before a fall