Windows--98, 2000, ME, XP???

[glennmac]

In researching new laptops, I see that if I go IBM, I can buy, for different prices, otherwise similar models with either Windows 98 (2nd edition) or ME or 2000. It seems if I wait a while, I can get machines with XP, which seems to come in about three different flavors itself (home, office, pro, ?) I have tried researching what these differences are, but the developmental history of Windows is incomprehensible to me.

I will be doing MS Office apps at work and at home, digital camera stuff, and web surfing. No graphics. The new machines selling with W98 on them are significantly cheaper. IBM tells me that a machine with 98 will have different bios and drivers, or something, than a new machine set up with 2000. My dim understanding is that XP is supposed to ultimately supersede everything.

Without going into great detail, I would appreciate comments on:

1. Which Windows do I want to end up with eventually?
2. If the answer is XP, is it more or less technically easy to get there depending on whether I buy a W98 machine or a W2000 machine.
3. Will I somehow be boxing myself in, Windozewise, by getting a W98 machine now, which have the best pricing. I dont plan on trading in the hardware.

Thanks for your continued help.

 

[ejb]

I think it is too soon to say wether or not XP is the ultimate goal...depends on initial bug reports etc. I will say that I use Win 2000 primarily and I find it pretty darn close to rock solid and a real pleasure. Win 98 stinks and I constantly crash and need to reboot. Win 2000 does everthing I want, but then again I don't play games or use audio/video on it so I can't say for sure if Win 2000 supports that in a seamless way or not.

I'd vote for 2000 over 98 or ME, but will have to try out XP to see if it is even better.

 

[scruffy]

Glenn, if you wish to 'Give away the Farm', then by all means got with ME, XP, or 2000. If you DO go with one of those, then the very FIRST thing to do is install a very good third party Firewall. XP for example is a hacker's paradise, and is why all the teeny-bopper type hackers go for it and love it. It opens ALL the ports and hence is open to hacking.
M$ pricing schema is to charge you for EVERY time you load it. Want to replace that defunct hard-drive? Oops, gonna cost you....although rumors are that M$ is rethinking THAT major faux-paux, they haven't backed off yet. They do not wish to admit that they have completely blown the security of your pc by opening the ports, but eventually, that will probably be tightened up...maybe.
My recommendation is 98, or Linux....which has a gui interface also in its KDE desktop.
Of course, all the above is my own opinion, and admittedly is 'colored' by my dislike of MicroSoft and its lack of business ethics. I can only hope that they move their corporate headquarters to Afghanastan, and hire the Taliban to run it.

 

[MikePA]

I agree with ejb. As long as you do not want to play games (which sometimes access the hardware directly - a Windows2000 and WindowsNT no-no) I recommend Windows2000 Professional. As long as you have the installation key, usually on a sticker pasted to the CDRom case, you can install Windows2000 as many times as you want. Scruffy is right about WindowsXP, and OfficeXP as well, MS changed their licensing model and companies are up in arms. Many are not migrating to XP because of both the pricing model and it doesn't offer enough improvements over Win2K. I use my laptop to edit both audio and video and it works great. I recommend WindowsXP second and Windows98 last.

 

[TerryinMD]

If and when you buy a Intel-based laptop, most manufacturers are either including XP upgrades or shipping it pre-installed.

Microsoft has changed the licensing policy somewhat. They have removed some of the issues triggering a call back to MS to activate the license AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. An update is available to remove that limitation. I wouldn't be too concerned about that.

I've been running XP for a few weeks now and just upgraded to the street version last weekend. How?? My wife works as a merchandiser for MS and she gets copies so that she understands the product.

To be honest, the have merged ME and W2k. The home upgrade is around $99 and professional is $199. For home use, you probably do not need the Professional. It has some newer features allowing expanded usage of digital cameras, CD burning, and other goodies . Just last weekend, my oldest daugher took some digital pictures and here's what we did.

1. Plugged the camera to the USB cable.
2. Double clicked on the H: drive (the camera)
3. Viewed the pictures with Windows Explorer.
4. Highlighted the pictures my daughter wanted.
5. Copied them to the CD burner.
6. A couple of minutes later - done.

No additional software. No fumbling with application manuals.

I'm no MS bigot by any means. But, I think that they've gotten a good product which is close to a MAC OS as possible.

The only reason I switched was to be able to use some particular applications that I need for work.

One caveat is that you may not be able to use some of your older devices and software. A real biggy is printer support. We have a multifunction printer and HP has not released any drivers or software to support it. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Terry



<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TerryinMD on 10/19/01 12:04 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[MikePA]

If I could get XP for free, I'd upgrade in a heartbeat (love the new toys). Even being a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) won't get me freebies. The best I can do is get versions that quit working after 90 - 120 days.

The upgrade cost for XP was why I ranked it second. For new PCs, Win2K and XP, assuming no additional charges for wither of them, I'd rank them tied for first.

 

[TerryinMD]

Mike,

We're lucky to get it for free (not totally - conditions do apply). We still have to buy one more copy since we have two machines. Following what the Presidents wants - keep that economy going!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Glennmac - I would suggest that you purchase your laptop with the assurance that you can upgrade to XP at no additional cost. I think that most manufacturers will be doing that to keep up with the competition. Gateway and Staples are two that are shipping preloaded.

Terry

 

[RPM]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Windows XP is basically built on the core Windows 2000 operating system - but has an enhanced user interface and better compatibility with games and multimedia doodads.

I use Windows 2000 Professional and like ejb think it is pretty much rock solid. Have been using it now for almost 2 years (had the beta version) - and not once have I seen it crash. It's rare that I have less than 15 windows open at a time.

Just give it plenty of memory to play with - I'd recommend a minimum of 256MB -- which is cheap these days.

FYI - I use Zone Labs personal firewall. It's great and very stable. Can't tell you how many times (but is dozens a day) my machine gets probed or 'port scanned' by unauthorized individuals. Zone Alarm (the firewall) keeps me clean - and the basic version can be downloaded for free. I've been very impressed.

FYI #2 - there was a big fuss about some standard Linux packages a while ago as the default installation also left all 'ports' open to the Internet. In my experience Linux is best for those with more system administration skills ...

Hope this helps

Patrick

 

[rf33]

I would go with any of the Windows NT based OSes (Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP) over any of the Windows 9X based systems from a stability standpoint. Windows 9X based systems sacrifice stability for backwards (and I do mean backwards/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif) compatability most people do not need to use anyways. If all of your apps that you need to run will run on Windows 2000, that would be my first choice. I think that XP will be great, but I tend to shy away from very new operating systems, I like the public to have them for several months so that all of the bugs can get worked out and be service packed. I hope that this helps

rf33

/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[MikePA]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Ditto on Zone Alarm.