bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Rating: 8

Time with product: 21 Days

Strengths: Stable, nice interface, good security, and XP is much faster than Windows 2000 Pro - especially booting up.

Weaknesses: Microsoft should release software that is secure and stable to start with instead of constantly releasing "updates" and "service packs".

Summary: Windows XP is stable and easy to use with a nice interface. You get a good feeling that the operating system is in control instead of the applications. Includes SP2 for added security. You do not need to download and install SP2 yourself. "OEM" does not mean anything is missing. It simply means you do not get a retail box or manual. I have found that the "Home" version has everything I need. Also, XP is much faster than Windows 2000 Pro - especially booting up.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4 Years

Strengths: you have all The features that you need, all the extra games. The smooth installation of hardware and soft ware

Weaknesses: I find that it doesn't have some of the help topics that some first time users would need.

Summary: I have enjoyed using windows xp, with all of its features, I find windows easy to find things on the internet with windows xp. All in all I find that windows xp is the best windows oparating system software that I have used out of all the past windows I have used.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: The most configurable OS next to Linux

Weaknesses: Proprietary software, prime target for crackers, frequent patches/critical updates necessary.

Summary: I have read some of the reviews on this site about XP Home, and feel that many reviewers have not done their homework on this OS. It seems to me that most users attempt to operate the OS without doing much, if any reading or research via the many books, periodicals, and websites devoted to this subject. I personally am very satisfied with WinXP Home, and have had very few problems with it. The hangups, crashes, and incapatibility issues, that I did have, upon reading and researching them, were found to be due to my lack of knowledge, or third party software flaws. In summary, if you don't want to spend time LEARNING about how to use computers and software, be prepared to either deal with frequent problems and crashes, or spend $$$ and time with tech support.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: many

Weaknesses: not many

Summary: If you want to install over 512mb of ram you can't with Windows95,98,or ME. You can with XP.just like you can with 2000. System restore like ME unlike 2000.No need to get separate software for zip files or tranferring data to a cdrw.System lockups are vitually gone.I've had a few but that was because of the age of the software I tried to install.I've only had issues with a handful of games but those are OLD.There are some hardware incompatibility issues also but there again keyword OLD.An example:"Oh darn,I can't get my Voodoo5 to work with XP"is that the fault of XP or could it be that the company that made that card is out of business and there are no updated drivers other than 3rd party.Or another one: "I can't seem to get my old dos games to work with XP"Well heck I can't seem to get them all to work with 98 either until I bought a motherboard with an isa slot for a SoundBlaster.If you are in need of an o.s. and want a Microsoft product get this if you have a new generation computer. Most of the complaints I've read I beleive come from trying to use it on an old dinosaur.If you have one of those there's a lot better way to spend your money than upgrading the o.s.Some people just expect too much.You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.I have all the o.s. I've referred to and this is the best.There's a place for them all so if you don't have a machine that meets or exceeds the optimum system requirements don't bother getting it unless you want to be one of the complainers.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: Reliable, stable, easy to learn and use.

Weaknesses: Some compatability problems with some older software and equipment, but, it's worth it.

Summary: I replaced Windows Me with XP Home, haven't had a lockup, lost work or any other typical computer failure since. It makes integrating new equipment, software and networking a breeze not to mention all the extras bells and whistles included with XP. You could actually get good use out of your system without any additional software.