Legacy OS still used by over two thirds of us! (Microsoft Windows XP - Professional Edition)

Member Name: smoothgroover22

Product:	Microsoft Windows XP - Professional Edition
Date:	11/08/09 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can run on minimal spec PCs, compatible with majority of software

Disadvantages: 7 years old, limited support, prone to virus/malware/trojan horse attacks

You'd think that a 7 year old operating system would not be popular today, but in the case of Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition you'd be wrong - according to the latest global figures from StatCounter - http://gs.statcounter.com/#os-ww-daily-20080701-20 090811-bar - nearly 73% of people still use Microsoft Windows XP today!

*** Pros ***

Well in comparison to its successor, Windows Vista, it requires a smaller amount of memory and hard drive space to install and run it on your computer, it doesn't need a super fast processor (it can run on a PC with an ancient 233MHz CPU), and in terms of software compatability, the majority of programs out there work with Windows XP.

As well as being used for home and business PCs, it's also used as the operating system for a lot of commercial/retail applications such as touch screen consumer systems (for example the units in big shopping malls that you'd use to find out where a particular store is in relation to where you are standing now), ATMs (cash machines) and more.

It's very easy to use and customisable, and in comparison to Vista it's much faster to load and use. I actually use XP Professional on my home server PC and with the exception of power cuts it never 'dies' on me (touch wood)!

If you want to use XP for business or commercial use, the Professional version is definately the better option over the Home version, due to the extra system administration and networking tools you get with it.

*** Cons ***

Support for Windows XP from Microsoft is being phased out, with support for installations without a service pack withdrawn from 2006, and support for service pack 2 is to be withdrawn in July 2010. The software has been moved from Mainstream Support to the Extended Support phase as it marks the progression of the legacy operating system through the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy.

Service packs and updates will still be available from Microsoft but only until April 2014.

Security has always been an issue for all versions of Windows XP, and is often targeted by malware/spyware/viruses - something which the software giant has tried to address in Vista and it's latest offering, Windows 7. So really if you are going to use Windows XP you need to install some form of virus/malware protection, especially if you intend to use the PC on the Internet.

*** Minimum Requirements ***

233MHz CPU
64Mb RAM
800x600 SVGA display
1.5Gb hard disk space

*** My final thoughts ***

Microsoft Windows XP Professional is definately a great operating system for home and business use, but due to its age and limited support from Microsoft, its days are numbered really. If you are thinking of upgrading to a newer and less attack prone OS I would suggest waiting for Windows 7 to come out in October and upgrade to that.

Summary: Still very popular today but users should consider upgrading to Windows 7 at some point

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