Reported that MS XP Operating System is to be "retired" in April 2014 - what next?

[dbboy]

It is reported that MS XP Operating System is to be "retired" in April 2014 - Any recommendations on what to move onto?

[right-clicking]

That will depend on existing hardware, Ten years is a heck of a long time in computing and a lot of the the newer operating systems are more power hungry,and more importantly they will utilise all of the newer technologies.

If your machine can accommodate more ram, and has a decent processor then you could move onto windows 8.

Alternatively there are open source systems that you might want to try. Ubuntu and Mint are the most popular and you can try them without having to instal them! Boot from a "live DVD" give it a spin!

http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://www.linuxmint.com/

[StraferJack]

Or just keep using xp. It won't stop working, it just won't be supported

[DulwichFox]

StraferJack Wrote:

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> Or just keep using xp. It won't stop working, it

> just won't be supported

Except that Some new software might not work too well. if not at all.

Foxy

[right-clicking]

Being not supported means no more updates and security patches, any new exploit will open a vulnerability and leave you exposed to on-line threats, This will not happen overnight but as time passes, depending on your browsing habits and types of sites visited, who's to know what might occur?

[JohnL]

The good old days of XP

Windows 8 has driven me so mad I'm looking at iMacs.

[Applespider]

Many businesses are only upgrading to Windows 7 from XP rather than going to Windows 8. Although it's still involving lots of new kit so that it runs effectively.

If you don't want to buy a new PC - and are reasonably tech savvy (you don't have to be a total geek) - then Linux isn't a bad idea.

If you're buying new then at least go and take a look at Mac OS X - it might not be for you but must confess that my Macs have rarely given me any problems - and my current one is 6 years old and still going strong.

[Jeremy]

At home I run Win7 on a PC and OSX on a Macbook, and they're both very stable. I can't hand-on-heart say that the Mac is better, just a case of personal preference.

IMO Macs are generally a little overpriced, although saying that you can get a basic spec Mac Mini for ?500, which isn't too bad really.

[JohnL]

Windows 7 is great and stable - Windows 8 is two brained and

I actually get distracted when I use it.

I fell for the 27" iMac when I saw it - but ?1500 is a lot.

Jeremy Wrote:

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> At home I run Win7 on a PC and OSX on a Macbook,

> and they're both very stable. I can't

> hand-on-heart say that the Mac is better, just a

> case of personal preference.

>

> IMO Macs are generally a little overpriced,

> although saying that you can get a basic spec Mac

> Mini for ?500, which isn't too bad really.

[Jeremy]

JohnL Wrote:

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> I fell for the 27" iMac when I saw it - but ?1500 is a lot.

Yeah it's a hell of a lot, for fairly modest spec. But to be fair it's a smart looking piece of kit with a really nice display. I guess value-for-money can be subjective.

[Lowlander]

If you're on a budget, download Mint Linux for free, very similar layout to Windows, comes with an office package compatible with Microsoft

Other versions of Linux available but this is probably the easiest transition.

Otherwise...your computer is unlikely to accept Windows 7/8, so the only other option is to buy a new one...