Windows 7 has a smaller footprint and is more efficient then windows xp, higher specs not withstanding
It’s been an awful long time since I ran XP but I’m pretty sure XP has “easy file transfer.” Check programs > accessories > system tools. Run the program and it basically transfers all of your My Documents as well as all of your settings into a file, then you run easy file transfer on the new machine and it installs all your personal files. For example, after you run easy file transfer, then your desktop items are there, your IE favorites are there, etc. It works really well and is easy peasy lemon squeezy.
In fact, I run this every once in a while as my backup.
Not precisely, but Windows 7 will run without activation until 30 days after installation. I have no idea whether that’s a violation of copyright or the license, but it’s certainly possible to use that 30 day window as a “trial period”.
Windows Easy Transfer comes with W7 and can be installed on XP and Vista.