Windows XP ( Microsoft )

By PETER ELEY

(Herald rating: * * * * * )

XP isn't cheap and it won't run on most computers. That's the bad news, the rest is all good. Windows XP is easily the best version of Microsoft's operating system yet.

Whether you'll spend the $300-$900 to buy a copy is another matter, specially as that's without any hardware upgrade costs.

Microsoft recommends at least 300MHz processor with 128mb ram and 1.5gigabytes of available hard drive space, which rules out 50 per cent or more of the PC market.

It says a 233MHz PC with 64mb ram will do, but cautions about performance issues.

Despite this, it's hard to find anyone with a bad word to say about XP. A typical comment comes from Newsweek, which says XP gives consumers the best reason to upgrade they have seen in a long time.

The home user may well say it's only an operating system and all they want to do is play games, burn CDs and send e-mail. And business users could argue that it won't make using Excel or Powerpoint any easier. But XP does make your PC safer, more reliable and faster.

The safety aspect is important if you go online, and XP's built-in firewall will protect against hackers and other cyber nasties.

XP is built on the sturdy NT code and leaves behind the legacy of DOS which bequeathed a host of memory problems to Windows 95 and 98.

Hardly sexy, but important. There are lots of more obvious features, though. Microsoft plugs XP as the operating system for the digital age.

It has a range of applications for digital photography, video editing and downloading and compressing music.

They aren't full-blown applications, but more than enough for most home users. Family internet users will like a feature that lets several people be online at the same time, and the whole internet experience is streamlined.

It seems Microsoft has accepted most people find it hard to programme a video recorder, let alone use a computer so the menu structure has been simplified and is more intuitive.

It comes in two versions. The Home Edition costs $599, with the upgrade at $309. The Professional Edition costs $889, with the upgrade at $599.

peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz