Windows XP, Professional ed

Kliatt, March, 2002 by Fred Solomon

Microsoft. c2001. Windows XP/200 RTM min./Millennium/NT4 sp6/98/95 OSR2+, 32MB, Pentium II 266 min., IE 5 min., sound card, video card. CD-ROM disk, user's guide. Upgrade, $199.00; full version, $299.00. SA

For the great majority of computer users, Windows is the operating system that runs our machines. While we find our computers indispensable for school, business or entertainment, there are times when the system freezes up, stranding us with the "general system error" message screen. The only way to continue is to re-boot the computer--a time-wasting nuisance, and potentially a cause of lost data if files weren't saved before the crash.

Windows XP (available in a home edition as well as a professional edition) is based on the business users' version of Windows 2000, which was much more robust than the consumer versions of Windows 95, 98 or Me. With XP, consumer-level users can share in a Windows version that does not crash! In over a month of use the reviewer's system did not freeze, crash, seize or fail at all. This new reliability is most welcome.

There are other improvements in the usability and look of XP, though none so monumental. If your computer is connected to the Internet with a broadband, "always on" connection, you can enjoy a seamless exchange of information between your desktop/browser and wherever the data may be. New support for digital photos and video is included. A new version of Media Player is slicker looking and offers enhanced performance, with better MP3 file management, faster CD burning, and the improved audio quality of SRS WOW decoding. Improved support for networking, the Network Setup Wizard, allows for much easier setup of a computer network. Network security is now built into XP, with the Internet Connection Firewall. This feature can prevent hackers from reading your private data, or from attacking and damaging your computer with a virus. Previously, protection of this sort was available only with add-on software from other manufacturers. Inclusion of this feature in XP means less expense, difficulty and potential incompatibility.

The only hitch at this early point in the product's release is that software drivers (short programs that tell your computer how to talk to your specific brand of printer, scanner, mouse, etc.) from peripherals manufacturers have not all been updated for use with XP They will probably work fine as they are, but a warning screen message may scare some users. Overall, Windows XP should allow a more pleasant, productive and reliable experience on the computer. Fred Solomon, Electronics Engineer, West Newton, MA

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