Time to leave XP?

[JDay]

Wife is right now doing the Windows 7 conversion (by buying a new laptop). One engineer here has switched to Windows 7 (again with a new laptop). All others are Windows XP Pro, Windows 2k, or Windows 95/98.

We need compatibility with specialized engineering software, and Windows 7 had one incompatible software already.

Which is the entire reason Microsoft gives you a free XP virtual machine with Windows 7 Professional and above. You can even install drivers for legacy hardware with it if you need to.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/windows-xp-mode.aspx

It's the best of both worlds: The new Windows XP Mode lets you run older Windows XP business software right on your Windows 7 desktop.

This feature is designed primarily with small- and medium-sized businesses in mind. Windows XP Mode comes as a separate download and works only with Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate. Windows XP Mode also requires virtualization software such as Windows Virtual PC. Both are available free on the Microsoft website.

[hcbr]

I've dumped all my xp machines. I am now all windows 7 Pro in my household. Also for backing up and storage, you may want to look at a windows home server solution like the acer easy store as an alternative, but either way, the other reason why i didn't keep xp is that it's at EOL (or END OF LIFE) on support from MS. Don't even bother with Vista, if you're gonna look for an alternative upgrade, go Win 7. Unbuntu is also a good alternative too, but that's if you are really going the linux route , i have vm's of unbuntu, but only for purposes of training and support.

[NSR500]

I'm going to run Ubuntu 10.10 on it for a week and make a decision. I just got really pissed at this desktop the other day because of a MSFT update. Damn update kept asking me to reboot and knackerd my WiFi. At that point I was reminded why MSFT is so damn annoying.
I rarely have to reboot on a Linux update, unless it's a new kernel. MSFT product want you to reboot for everything.

[Nose Nuggets]

The biggest drawback to XP systems now is that its no longer a supported product from Microsoft. This usually makes little difference for consumers, as consumers will rarely work directly with Microsoft for technical issues, and opt to take it a computer shop. The support, however, is also no longer available for developers. So you will start to see XP as a supported platform for software and peripherals moving forward. There are already computer games that are not only unsupported, but will not even install on an XP system.


My suggestion is run it until you encounter a reason to upgrade. If there is a feature you really want in another OS, go for it. But don't feel obligated to just because its End Of Life. Just be aware that the next printer or scanner or video game you buy might require an OS upgrade as well.

As for your choice of OS, at this juncture i cant find any reason why you would opt for a windows server os over a workstation OS. Windows 7 IS Windows Server 2008 with some features added and a lot of features removed. The kernal and main workings of the OS are almost identical. The drawback to a Server OS is you will find A LOT of programs that you cannot install on a server OS.

[Cokebottle]

My home computers are all XP and are rock solid, until something comes along that won't run on XP I don't see a need to change them.

This.

Still running XP-SP3 on an Athlon XP2600+ with a gig.
It's a bit slow at times and high def video playback isn't what it could be (stuttering, but I think a better video card could take care of that), but my entire computer experience has been "I'll upgrade my OS when software forces me to do so."

I was still running DOS and Norton Commander, moved to Win-3 only months before 95 was introduced.
Stuck with '95 until I needed USB support... then went to 98-SE (and XP had already been released).
I finally went to XP in 2002 or 2003.

[JaMail]

i personally love xp and ive been a computer tech for 15 years. i have an xp, windows 7, vista, and ubuntu on my desk and i use the XP for 99% of my daily computing. im dreading when it goes end of life here at my work and im forced to surplus it.

[jarhead995]

I just put a copy of W7U on my P4with 1.5gigs of ram. Its running fine. It was actually a test and now I'm formatting my main pc to put W7U 64bit on it

[Omil]

I got W7, Vista, Mac's book for home. That's enough to covers CG's and some..

[locosway]

If Linux is an option as you say, I'd go that route. In the long run you'll save money and you won't fuel any corporate giant entities more than you need to.

With that said, Windows 7 is excellent as far as Windows goes. I haven't seen many issues with it personally.

[pilote]

xp is extremely stable; i will only abandon xp if programs no longer support it...that's why i left win 3.1 to 98, then 98 to xp; had no choice...

i have full versions of vista 32 and 64 bit; won't go to them unless i have to start working in the new versions of access and excel; but since big businesses aren't using the new versions yet, i can hold off till they do...

[ExtremeX]

I still have many systems with XP, at work we are an XP shop, everything works, but there is NO reason NOT to upgrade to Windows 7.

After using it, I love it, won’t go back.

One of the main reasons I changed is my application requirements for more ram. I use VMware workstation on a regular basis, and a 64bit OS with 12GB ram was the answer to my problems. I get the best of both worlds now as I VM Windows Server 2003 and 2008, Vista and XP. As long as u have enough HDD I/O you can get pretty creative as to how you utilize a PC now.

XP is over 10 years old now... its time to move on.

[NSR500]

Ubuntu migration completed!

I'm very happy with this machine because it feels new again. Speed, speed, speed... Not to mention a little better security.

[JDay]

Ubuntu migration completed!

I'm very happy with this machine because it feels new again. Speed, speed, speed... Not to mention a little better security.

Windows 7 is more secure than Linux ans OSX. Microsoft has put their reputation behind securing Windows, it's not the security nightmare it used to be.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista-SP2-and-Windows-7-More-Secure-than-Linux-and-Mac-OS-X-Leopard-109192.shtml

[locosway]

Windows 7 is more secure than Linux ans OSX. Microsoft has put their reputation behind securing Windows, it's not the security nightmare it used to be.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista...d-109192.shtml

I'm sorry, but that article is just BS. Windows 7 is a lot better than any other Windows OS, but it is not more secure than Linux, and by design never will be.

[Zorrm]

I'm sorry, but that article is just BS. Windows 7 is a lot better than any other Windows OS, but it is not more secure than Linux, and by design never will be.

This. Times one mirrion.