WinXP vs Win2K

[Wayne Wengert]

We are looking at upgrading some systems for a small group and I recommended
WinXP Pro as the OS. They currently use Win2K and are asking what the
advantage/reason is to move to XP. I know that in time Win2K will probably
not be supported, but from the viewpoint of plain old users, why should they
upgrade?

TIA

Wayne

 

[Ken Blake]

In

We are looking at upgrading some systems for a small group and
I
recommended WinXP Pro as the OS. They currently use Win2K and
are
asking what the advantage/reason is to move to XP. I know that
in
time Win2K will probably not be supported, but from the
viewpoint of
plain old users, why should they upgrade?

I'm not at all sure they should. First of all, realize that the
two are very similar. Under the hood, Windows 2000 is Windows NT
5.0, and XP is NT 5.1. So XP is a relatively minor update to
2000.

If you already have 2000, and are contemplating moving to XP, the
right answer for many people is that it's not worth the cost and
effort. But if you're planning on buying a new computer and
asking what version to install on it, to me the answer is clearly
XP. XP has the following small but significant advantages over
2000:

Msconfig

System Restore

Driver Rollback

Better Help System

Better Virtual Memory Handling

Clear Type

 

[Leythos]

We are looking at upgrading some systems for a small group and I recommended
WinXP Pro as the OS. They currently use Win2K and are asking what the
advantage/reason is to move to XP. I know that in time Win2K will probably
not be supported, but from the viewpoint of plain old users, why should they
upgrade?

If their systems are marginal, meaning 256MB or less RAM, standard video
cards, etc... They should stick with 2000 Professional. Windows XP has a
LOT of eye-candy that requires more memory and CPU cycles (even after
you disable most of it). Most windows XP Prof systems have a memory
sweet spot of 384~512MB of RAM, 256 is fine for minimal use stations,
but 128MB is intolerable.

XP Prof, while improving stability, offering service packs, and looking
pretty, doesn't really offer anything that your customer might see daily
as a valid reason for the upgrade.

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

Prior to the release of SP2 for Windows XP, I would have said there wasn't
much to be gained from upgrading if you've already purchased Windows 2000.

The security features of Windows XP SP2 are the primary reasons for
upgrading. If you have laptops, definitely get XP SP2 on those systems.
Windows Firewall, when controlled with group policy, is a good way to ensure
that you don't get the latest network worm brought straight into your
network.

Internet Explorer is significantly enhanced in XP SP2 and for most systems,
it boots a lot more quickly than Windows 2000. Added to that, there are no
more service packs planned for Windows 2000 and although there's life left
in Windows 2000, it's probably time to at least consider when you will
upgrade.

On the other hand, many companies acquire the latest OS when they upgrade
their systems. If you have systems with, let's say, 6 months to a year of
life, a Windows XP upgrade is expensive when you will be getting XP with
their replacements. If Windows 2000 is working well, then it's often
difficult to justify upgrading. If things are not going so well and you're
doing the work in ripping out the infrastructure and replacing it, it makes
sense to get the latest OS at the same time.

Oli

 

[Wayne Wengert]

Thanks to all for the comments.

Wayne

 

[Dan]

There is still a vulnerability in Win2000 that is not in WinXP

http://eeye.com/html/research/upcoming/index.html

http://eeye.com/html/research/upcoming/20040802-C.html

: We are looking at upgrading some systems for a small group and I
recommended
: WinXP Pro as the OS. They currently use Win2K and are asking what the
: advantage/reason is to move to XP. I know that in time Win2K will probably
: not be supported, but from the viewpoint of plain old users, why should
they
: upgrade?
:
: TIA
:
: Wayne
:
: