Buying new computer - wait for XP???

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have been planning to buy a new machine in October anyway, but I hear that Windows XP will be released October 25.

Should I just go ahead and buy the new puter now - or wait until I can get one with it pre-installed? I am thinking about the $100 or so savings I will get from having to buy the upgrade.

What do YOU think?

Phouchg
Lovable Rogue

2

This is just an opinion, but I would buy it as soon as possible to avoid getting XP based on what I’ve heard of XP.

Considering the past success of new operating systems hitting the market, it’s probably just a beta. You can expect an XP II to come out in about 3 months.

3

This is more of an IMHO than a General Question, so I’ll move it.

bibliophage
moderator, GQ

4

Sigh. This will paint me as a complete geek, but based upon the title “Buying new computer - wait for XP???” my immediate thought was, “Well, if you gain a couple of levels and put the points into Haggle, I suppose that could save you some money.”

I’ve been playing way too much Arcanum.
Anyways, let me echo what Oblong said; I haven’t heard much good about XP. But talk to sales reps about your dilemmna- you might be able to buy a computer just before (or just after) XP comes out and get a coupon towards a purchase of XP, which means that you get XP and a backup OS if XP really does suck rocks.

But I may be pipe dreaming on that last one- it’s been years since I’ve been selling software.

5

Regardless of its merits, if you want XP, you may not have to wait that long. According to an article at PC Magazine, computer makers can start shipping boxes loaded with XP on September 24th, a full month before it hits the streets. So if you buy a machine in October, you may get it anyway.

Apart from the whole fascist product registration brou-ha-ha, I would expect XP to be a fairly decent product as it is built on top of the Win2K kernel.

6

Count another vote for the “avoid the first-release of any software” philosophy. I would get a system that CAN handle XP and then hold on if possible 'til the first XP Service Pak goes out (and 'til hardware makers get all the drivers relevant to what YOU use straightened out…)

7

If I can help alliviate the XP hesitation, I’m using XP RC2 on my home machine and I absolutely love it. VERY cool. I will be buying it when it comes out.

8

Microsoft is comming out with a 64 bit processor in about 4 months. While I don’t have the exact figures behind it, it is supposed to make everything else obsolete. AMD is comming out with one that will be backwards compatible as well, but it’s going to take longer and be a better product for it.

The choice is yours. I also have friends who swear by their XP boxes.

That’s the word from me.

–==the sax man==–

9

I say wait a while until at least XP SP1 comes out, and there are more device drivers for the XP. That way you can be sure that all your components will work with the new OS, and you have a smoother ride.

Remember also that XP’ XPA policy will be a bitch if you, like me, want to swap components from time to time. So make sure that your entire system will satisfy you for at least two or three years from purchase.