|
|
95? 98? ME? 2000/ XP? Which Version of Windows to Choose...and Why
Dan Albrich
dalbrichg@oregon.uoregon.edu
If you're thinking about purchasing a new personal computer, or upgrading the
one you have now, you may be wondering which of the many Windows versions might
work best for everyday home use. This review is intended to help you make that
decision.
In brief, Windows 95, 98 and Millennium Edition (ME) amount to incremental
upgrades of Microsoft's offering for home users, while Windows NT 4 and Windows
2000 target business users. Windows XP, planned for summer release, is designed
to incorporate features of both NT4 and 2000.
General Advice [back
to top]
First off, we have to say that if you are completely happy with your existing
system, then upgrading doesn't make sense. The only time you should consider
upgrading is when you desire or require features offered by the new system,
or when purchasing new equipment.
Prior to any upgrade, make sure the new system will be compatible with existing
hardware and software. Also be aware that an upgrade may necessitate purchasing
updated software programs, and there may be further additional costs, such as
adding memory or disk, to accommodate the new system. Finally, take into account
the fact that upgrades don't always go smoothly, and don't attempt an upgrade
unless you have time to troubleshoot the problems that may arise.
Windows 95 [back
to top]
In the same way that Windows 3.1 is generally not considered practical
for even the most basic applications today, 95 will eventually be too old to
be usable for common applications.
If "usable" is defined as being able to run the current version of
Microsoft Office and a current web browser, then Windows 95 still passes those
tests. At the moment, 95 is still usable for basic computing and network activities,
but watch out for an increasing number of applications that will require something
newer (for example, Windows 95 lacks decent USB support, thus limiting your
ability to use modern digital cameras, scanners, and other USB devices).
If you need a bigger hard disk and more memory before you can upgrade, you
may be best served by buying a new computer rather than making piecemeal upgrades.
Systems that are slower than 200Mhz, or have less than 4Gb of disk space and
less than 64Mb of memory may be candidates for outright replacement.
Ideally, for best compatibility with the current generation of software and
hardware, you should probably be running Windows 98 or higher.
Windows 98 [back
to top]
If you currently own Windows 98, you don't need an upgrade. Most current generation
software and hardware products work fine with Windows 98.
This is the first version of Windows to have good support for USB devices (e.g.,
digital cameras or scanners), and it includes VFAT32, an updated file system
that supports large hard disks. VFAT32 allows users with disks greater than
2Gb to use the disk as a single volume (one drive letter), and it uses available
space more efficiently due to smaller addressable units of disk space (clusters).
Other enhancements include a launch tray for frequently used applications and
device support for more recent hardware.
Windows 98 Second Edition includes a feature called "Internet Connection
Sharing," which allows modem, DSL, and Cable Modem users to share one IP
address with multiple computers. (This feature should not be enabled at the
UO!) Both Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition are good versions, but you may now
have trouble acquiring anything but Microsoft's most current versions of Windows
(ME and 2000) new. If you currently have 98 and are happy with it, you may want
to stick with it for now.
Windows ME [back
to top]
This is the most recent update in the product family for home users, which includes
Windows 95 and Windows 98.
In our tests of Windows ME, we found it to be very similar to Windows 98 for
all basic applications. The major differences are software packaging (ME includes
digital video software), and minor look and feel changes. ME looks more like
Windows 2000 in some ways than Windows 98, but the functionality is very similar.
In fact, you probably won't find any applications that specifically require
ME as opposed to 98. If you're happily using 98, we don't recommend upgrading.
For new computers, ME does have some advantages because it ships with new device
drivers, making installation on newer hardware less complex. Moreover, many
vendors no longer offer Windows 98 as a choice. ME includes Microsoft's new
active directory client software for connecting to Windows 2000 servers. We
find the reliability and usability of ME to equal Windows 98, but it does not
amount to a substantial upgrade.
Windows 2000 [back
to top]
This is perhaps the most interesting version of Windows available at the moment.
For a list of features, see http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/main/0,5594,2430571,00.html
Originally known as "NT v5," 2000 amounts to a major upgrade for
Windows NT 4 users. Windows NT 4 was glaringly deficient in decent plug and
play support for new hardware devices. Windows 2000 corrects this and adds USB
support. In addition, most computer games now work on 2000.
Under NT 4, the logo "Designed for Windows 95/98" was almost a guarantee
that the software would not work with NT, yet many 95/98 applications will work
fine on Windows 2000. This helps bridge the gap between business (no frills)
computing and consumer applications.
For example, 2000 allows you to use modern USB devices like digital cameras,
scanners, and consumer-oriented video cards with TV tuner and videoconferencing
functionality (ATI, Matrox, etc.)
While it's probably safe to choose 2000 with a brand-new computer (with the
software preinstalled), upgrading does require caution. You need to make sure
all of your devices and software are compatible with 2000 before upgrading.
In most cases, NT 4 users will find 2000 a welcome improvement, but 95/98 and
ME users need to be careful because some device support is still not available,
and in some cases no upgrades are even planned.
These caveats aside, most will find 2000 to be more stable than Windows 95/98/ME
for basic business applications, and a slightly faster performer. In our tests,
Windows 98 and NT 4 machines have been upgraded without problems (we have not
tried upgrading from ME). 2000 also lives up to its claim to work well with
laptops that have good power management features and stability.
Multiple user feature. Windows 2000's multiple user feature may be a
deciding factor for those who are trying to choose one Windows version over
another.
The down side of this feature is that you need at least two accounts on any
Windows 2000 system. One special account called "Administrator" is
used to change network and other system settings, as well as at least one user
account. You can configure 2000 to automatically log in as a specified user,
but even then you will need to log out and log in again as Administrator for
certain functions. In fact, we recommend you install software as Administrator,
then create shortcuts in appropriate user directories (a setup which may be
beyond some novice users' capabilities).
The good side of multiple user support is that you can create logins for yourself
and other family members, so that each person sees a customized view of the
same computer. For example, if you log in as yourself, your bookmarks, email,
and desktop icons will be distinct from those used by others on the systemÑeven
if you use the same browser and email client.
This level of separation between users is not possible with Windows 95/98/ME.
While 95/98/ME all allow the creation of user accounts, if two users try to
use the same email program or set a different default browser, the other user
will be affected.
Windows XP [back
to top]
XP is based on Windows 2000, with more 95/98/ME consumer capabilities. Microsoft
hopes that XP will replace both 2000 and ME, merging their two major Windows
products into one.
One interesting feature of XP is that applications can continue to run even
if you log out, and then log back in as another user. Multiple user support
appears to be a feature that's here to stay.
Other than some look and feel changes, XP promises to be a lot like 2000, with
some ME features bolted on for compatibility. We'll know more when the product
is released this summer.
Need Help? [back
to top]
If you need help making an upgrade decision, feel free to contact Microcomputer
Services for additional advice (microhelp@oregon.uoregon.edu,
346-4412).