Windows XP

The retail boxes for the RTM version of XP.

     Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001. Windows XP is based off of the NT5.1 (Build 2600: Service Pack 3 is the last build of Windows XP). Windows XP came retail with two different versions. As the years grew, there was Tablet PC Edition, POS (Point of Service), Media Center Edition, and Windows XP Professional x64 edition. The names speak for themselves,Home Edition was for home computers and laptops, with normal functionality. Professional is for the more advanced home user, with Domain networking support from a Windows 2000 server (later 2003 server). Tablet PC Edition was an early version of a Tablet Windows OS. The POS edition was used for ATMs, checkout stands, or anything that would have to do with shopping. Media Center Edition included Media Center, which was not available on any other Windows XP version. As a few more years grew on, Microsoft released a x64 edition (based on the Server 2003 (5.2 kernel)) for the new AMD 64-bit processors.

Development / History 

     Windows XP was not a planned operating system for the home market. In 2000, Microsoft merged the "Neptune" and "Odyssey" teams to work on this new OS. Odyssey was the follow-up to Windows 2000 for the business market. Neptune was planned to be a customer version of Windows 2000 based off the NT kernel, and ditching DOS. Windows XP originally started from the Neptune team. Neptune started out in 1999. Microsoft released a preview of this Neptune dated December 27, 1999. It was based off the 2000 kernel. Later in 2000, thats when Microsoft merged the two teams together, creating Whistler. Whistler was worked on for 18 months until being released as XP. During the beta stages, Every build had something new. A first few ideas was user switching, a new look, and some new icons. This was a new look if you had been using Windows 95-2000.

The Review

     I had always grew up with Windows XP. I didn't want to fall back to 2000, or upgrade to Vista (and in some cases, 7). Windows XP is solid and at the point in time where "it just works." And part of the reason people still use it today (I moved off XP back in June 2010) is because it works, its reliable, and its less bloated compared to Vista/7.  Our school still uses XP, and I convince them to move up on 7, but they say no. There is a special computer lab at my school that has Win 7 PCs, but that is about it. And they still make everything look classic (I am somewhat sick of the old theme, I like colors :) ) for a reason apparently on "performance" on all the Core 2 Duo's with 4GB ram. Anyways, XP is great if you want a PC that is a little more compatible than 2000, or if you have a pc laying around.

     What was my first time using Windows XP? Well, my school had just got everything on 2000 from 98. My dad had bought a PC sometime in January 2002 (3 months after the release of XP) that ran Home Edition. My favorite thing at the time was Pinball (Still not included with Windows 7!!!). I was in kindergarten at the time, so I didn't know much about PCs, or care to. It was for the games. I didn't get my first real XP computer until January 1, 2009 at a new years party (it was a bet to see who could pick up the firework's trash after it was finished, and I won). I won a Dell Dimension 4550 due to my dad (it was supposed to be his new pc, but it ended up being mine). And that is where I started learning about computers.

     Windows XP is not dead yet. Microsoft would like it dead (so does Tristan), but it's not happening for another few years(sadly). Small business's are not sitting on a pile of cash (maybe the US Government has some money) to buy new computers, let alone a $200 price tag for Windows 7 Pro alone. And, Windows XP can run modern software, including new versions of Office, the Adobe Apps, Flash, Firefox/Chrome, games (like MW3), and all kinds of software. I have a XP computer laying around because I have printers and scanners (among other devices) that don't work with Windows x64 (Most of my PCs run 7 x64, and they are AMD, I don't have many Intel PCs), and as I look around my room, I see the old Windows XP Pro screensaver (I wish MS continued to have one on Win 7), and I see memories of XP. 

My favorite screensaver of all time.

System Properties in XP Pro.

Windows XP Desktop.

Features

     Windows XP included many new features from Windows 2000/ME. There was a new GUI (Graphical User Interface) look, better USB support with Plug-n-Play, Media Player 9 (Highest for XP is 11) with new formats that you could now play, Windows Movie Maker (was available on Windows ME), Windows Internet Explorer 6 (highest for XP is 8), and one of the biggest things for XP's history is security. With SP2, Microsoft introduced a firewall that vastly imporved the security of Windows (this was the cause of delay for the release of Windows Longhorn), and a new start menu that has been greatly improved over the previous generation of Windows.

Windows XP desktop with a new GUI (look and icons).

Internet Explorer 8 on Windows XP.

Media Player 9, original version that shipped with Windows XP.

Security Center in Windows XP SP2.

System Requirements

300MHz Intel Pentium or Athlon (Supports 2 processors, only with Professional)
256MB RAM Recommended (XP Has a limit of 4GB on 32-bit mode, 64GB on 64-bit)
4GB Free Disk Space (For SP3, 1.5GB for RTM)
Super VGA (800x600) Display
Keyboard/Mouse (Optional)

What does Windows XP run well on?

     Windows XP will do great on any system with a 2GHz Intel Pentium 4 matched up with 1GB of ram. XP is great if you have a pc made after 2005 that *might* not be able to run Vista or 7. With a 2GHz P4, you should easily be able to watch some YouTube in 480p without problems. If you happen to install XP, there is a few options for Office. You could install Office 2003 (light), Office 2007 (a little more heavy), and Office 2010 (Made for more of the Win 7 systems). If you decide to make some videos, have a 128MB graphics card so you can get better video out of your computer. Anything from Adobe can be heavy on older machines, slowing them down. You can use Techsmith's Camtasia Studio 7 for editing videos, or the free Windows Movie Maker (Better than the Windows Live Movie Maker!).

The Summary

     Windows XP is a great option if you want to do a little more than what you can with 2000, if you have a more-horsepower computer. It is 10 years old, but at the same time, it can still be used with modern software and won't go anywhere on terms of support for another three years. Windows XP is fast, stable with the NT kernel, ditching the old DOS (disk operating system), can be used with decade-old hardware, and its good looking. Windows XP will help you be productive and get more things done and will always be ready to work!

Prices & How to Buy

     Windows XP was sold for almost 8 years in the retail market. This was extended to 9 years when Microsoft let manufactures sell Windows XP Home Edition on netbooks until October 22, 2010 (Windows 7's second birthday). Windows XP was sold this long because many people would rather have XP installed over Windows Vista, and in some cases, 7. When XP was first shipped, an XP Home upgrade cost $99, with the full version costing $199. For Professional, an upgrade was $199, and $299 for the full version. These prices have since dropped With Windows 7, but, there was an economy back in 2001.

Buy Windows XP

Click on the images below to buy your own copy of Windows XP, your chunk in history!

Buy XP on ebay!

Buy XP on Amazon!

Review Info:
DyNiForm
12/14/2011 10:40PM PST