Windows XP Inside & Out
PCWorld | at | by Mike
Easier than Windows 2000 and less crash-prone than Win Me, XP is Microsoft's biggest and most controversial OS upgrade in years. We tested it to see what works, what doesn't, and if you should make the leap.
"Should I get it?" That's what everyone wants to know about Windows XP. We won't keep you in suspense: For most Windows 98 and Windows Me users whose systems can handle it, the answer is yes. Due to ship October 25 (barring unlikely last-minute court orders stemming from the still-pending antitrust wrangling), Windows XP could be the most stable version of Windows yet: It's at least as stable as Windows 2000, Microsoft claims. It's also the most feature-laden. Thank its dual bloodlines for that happy combination: From Windows NT and 2000, it inherits a secure, stable core. From Windows 9x and Me, it inherits compatibility with hardware and software, as well as tools for working with digital images, video, and audio. And in either of its two flavors--Home Edition or Professional--it's a great match for the latest PCs with their fast processors, capacious hard drives, and speedy CD burners.