There's no doubt about it - Windows XP has a lot going for it. Not only is it the best-looking operating system on the market (MacOS X users eat your hearts out), but it's also the most comprehensively specified and easiest to use OS.

There's so much new stuff in it, we could easily devote an entire issue of PCW to describing the new features. Windows XP offers exemplary support for digital media, be it audio, still or moving video. Home networking is now considerably simplified and its support for WiFi networking is superb.

So, the big question is, should you upgrade? If you're running Windows 9x or Me, then the answer is an unequivocal yes, because you gain a heck of a lot. Existing Windows 2000 users have less of an incentive to upgrade, especially if they're business users who won't make much use of Windows XP's support for digital media.

The main reason for upgrading to XP is stability. If you're a Windows 95, 98, or Me user, you've probably had your fair share of lock-ups, Blue Screens of Death (BSOD) and crashes. Windows 2000 Professional is a good choice but it's expensive and has strict hardware and software compatibility rules. Plus, its industrial strength security and networking features present a steep learning curve to the novice user.

Windows XP gives you the best of both worlds. It takes the wide range of hardware and software compatibility from Windows 95, 98, and Me, as well as the ease of use features. It also adds the stability found in the Windows 2000 kernel but removes the complexity. The end result is a very stable platform designed specifically for the average home user.

This stability will be further maintained by its strict approach to device drivers, a common cause of OS instability. Microsoft recommends you only install 'digitally signed' (i.e. Microsoft approved) drivers.

Unfortunately, upgrading to Windows XP is not open to everyone. For a start, upgrading is probably restricted to fairly recent PCs. Windows XP is power hungry and if you have an old PC, for example anything slower than a 300MHz processor, the upgrade isn't to be recommended. We ran all the betas on a 500MHz Athlon PC without any problems.

Windows XP is also memory hungry and needs 128MB or more of RAM to run - the more the merrier.

Another potential stumbling block for some users is product activation. Many people will sneer at Windows Product Activation (WPA), imposed by Microsoft to deter casual copying. But you don't have to look too far on the web to find out that determined attempts to bypass WPA have succeeded. Microsoft has continuously watered down the restrictions imposed by WPA.

To recap, reactivation is only necessary if you change six pieces of hardware; a phone reactivation is only required on the fourth reactivation. You now have 60 days to activate (up from 30), which is plenty of time to experiment with hardware before needing to activate; and, in any event, the reactivation slate is wiped clean every 120 days.

We can't see many users falling foul of those upgrade restrictions. Many Windows XP users will get their copies preinstalled on newly bought PCs which will be pre-activated. And because Windows XP is locked to the BIOS of that machine, it can't be installed on other PCs, so there's no hardware checking at all.

Pricing remains an issue. Windows XP is about 20 per cent dearer than Windows 9x or Me. You can pick up the full retail Windows 98 for about £135 - the equivalent Windows XP Home Edition will cost about £30 more.

For those interested in the Professional version, you'll need deep pockets: it's priced at about £235. The upgrade price is lower but your options are limited - you can only upgrade to Windows XP Home Edition from Windows 98 and Me. If you have Windows 95, you'll need the full retail version.

Price
£179.99 (£153.18 ex VAT); Upgrade £89.99 (£76.58 ex VAT)

Contact
Microsoft: 08457 002 000 www.microsoft.com/uk