Why Choose Windows XP

Windows XP introduced several new features to the Windows operating system line. Some of the most noteworthy and recognized include:

• Faster start-up and hibernation sequences;
• The ability to discard a newer device driver in favor of the previous one (known as driver rollback), should a driver upgrade not produce desirable results;
• A new, arguably more user-friendly interface, including the framework for developing themes for the desktop environment;
• Fast user switching , which allows a user to save the current state and open applications of their desktop and allow another user to log on without losing that information;
• The ClearType font rendering mechanism, which is designed to improve text readability on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and similar monitors;
• The Remote Desktop functionality, which allows users to connect to a computer running Windows XP from across a network or the Internet and access their applications, files, printers, and devices; and
• Support for most DSL modems and wireless network connections, as well as networking over Firewire.

User Interface

                     
      Default Theme Windows XP        Classic Theme Windows XP

Windows XP features a new task-based graphical user interface. The Start menu and search capability were redesigned and many visual effects were added, including:

• A transparent blue selection rectangle in Explorer
• A watermark-like graphic on folder icons, indicating the type of information stored in the folder.
• Drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop
• Task-based sidebars in Explorer windows
• The ability to group the taskbar buttons of the windows of one application into one button
• The ability to lock the taskbar and other toolbars to prevent accidental changes
• The highlighting of recently added programs on the Start menu
• Shadows under menus (Windows 2000 had shadows under mouse pointers, but not menus)

Windows XP analyzes the performance impact of visual effects and uses this to decide whether to enable them, so as to prevent the new functionality from consuming substantial additional processing overhead. Users can further customize these settings.

Reviews:

Windows XP has been reviewed (and criticized) since its launching. The following are the good points according to pleased users.

• The user interface has been simplified, but made more helpful at the same time. There is a task orientation in this OS that helps users do things they want to do, rather than merely find features they are looking for.

• The visual design--which is different from, though intertwined with the user interface--is quite nice. The colors, menus, graphics, task bar, and other items work well together.

• Some problems, such as overcrowded task bars, start menus, and system trays, have been addressed.

• Support for digital media and entertainment, lacking in Windows 2000 and sometimes clunky in Windows Me, is much improved. This system anticipates users having digital cameras and MP3 devices and works well with them.

• XP's network management, which Windows 2000 does better than Me, gets a friendly user interface, including some important but geeky technical features.