Age old topic: Apple vs. PC

My hubby and I just had this argument tonight.  He used to be a strickly pc man until he thought he made a  valid point about our present computer.  We have Windows ME, which I've learned recently, it sucks!  He suggested perhaps we should consider switching to a MAC - the odasity!   I said that we should get a new operating system (Windows XP) or a new computer but his response was "you're always trying to reach for that Golden Goose that will make our computer problems disappear".  I've always strongly believed in the PC.  Please, somebody convince me that I'm right!

[Moderator]

I sit here in awe at the speed & stability of my work computer , it's nothing flash.
Celeron 2.0Ghz, 512Mb of RAM, Windows2000.
The last BSoD I saw was on a 486 with Win98.

Windows ME is a piece of crap.  Tell me something... how old is your hardware that you're running ME on?  You may get away with just buying the XP OS and installing it.  Post your CPU, Video card, and RAM info for us.

My CPU is Pentium III, video card is Creative SB Live!, & Ram is 256MB of Ram.  The hardware is 5 years old.  I hope I got all the specs right, since I'm sort of new to this. If you've seen my other postings under "Internet Explorer" and "Virus Software" I am strongly considering getting XP, but I'm a little hesitant.  :-/The  'what if's ' are constantly in the back of my mind, especially after reading other forums about problems installing XP over ME.

[R.I.P.]

MarleneD.....I'm not one to run down someone elses operating system .......but without a doubt ME has to be the worst O/S ever devised by anyone .......( Merlin will strongly disagree with me ) By the sounds of your description of your pc .....XP will run very nicely on it ....
You haven't a lot of Ram , but if its that age its probably SD pc133 ram and it's fairly inexpensive.
Computer problems usually stem from ...........THE OPERATORS and of course win ME .

dl65  

[Moderator]

Win2000 is far less demanding than xp.  

Your PIII w/256MB RAM will operate with no problem with WinXP.  I've been using WinXP-Pro on a PIII-500 w/160MB RAM with no problems at all and it's actually faster than Win2k-Pro.  It boots up in half the time.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx

BTW, I used to have several Macs.

Hi Computer_Commando,
So, why didn't you stick with Macs?  
Well, now I'm feeling more confident about installing XP.  Here's another question:  If I buy a new computer that comes with XP do you all think I can then take the XP software and install it on my old computer (ME)?  Or, is there some kind of license protection that won't allow that? Just wondering.

[R.I.P.]

MarleneD..... " If I buy a new computer that comes with XP do you all think I can then take the XP software and install it on my old computer (ME)?"     Officially No....but , there are ways ......( And you didnt hear that from me )

Hope this helps

dl65  

The problem with buying PCs from the store or directly from Dell is that they don't ship you the stand-alone OS on a cd.  They usually give you a restore disc.  Plus, you're not going to be able to have XP on your new machine, and install the same XP license on a different machine because both will need to be activated with M$.  I recommend just buying the full XP version, not the upgrade version, and install that on your current machine.  Your hardware is fine, I was running XP on a PII 400 with 256 mb RAM and it ran fine.  Also, I find that Windows 2000 takes too long to boot, and that the OS slows down after being on for awhile.  XP is much better!  Of course if you have the money, might as well buy a new computer  
Either way... you need to dump Win ME!  

Hey hywaydave,
I think you deserve another star.  I had forgotten that the CD provided is only a restore disc.  Now, I've seen XP home edition (?) and XP pro.  The difference is the pro is ~$100 more (~$300). Not sure which to get.
I still want a new computer, though.

[R.I.P.]

MarleneD.... Have a read , this will point out the differances.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=operating+systems&lowprice=0&highprice=0&mnf=566&cat=672&priceStr=0&key=&image12.x=9&image12.y=5

XP Home OEM with SP2    $89.00 US

XP Pro OEM with SP2        $ 139.00 US


dl65  

O.k. dl65, now I'm confused again.  What's the difference between an OEM XP and one that is not OEM?
Is it  exactly the same system?
Thanks for tiger website!

Hi Computer_Commando,
So, why didn't you stick with Macs?..

It's all about application software.  Mac wouldn't run AutoCAD, OrCAD, etc. and it was becoming evident that it would be a "Windows World".

It was an unusual Mac, it had a PC card and could run both OS at the same time, using the same monitor, keyboard and mouse.

[R.I.P.]

MarleneD.....OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer )
OEM XP would normally be installed on one PC and the serial code for registration would be physically attached to the pc case its being installed on . There isnt any full blown manual or any fancy packaging with OEM cd's .
I believe the license fee paid to M/S may also be less than the RETAIL version .

RETAIL Version ........ The operating system is the same as OEM ......the only real differance is that it comes with its own box , user manual and again it's own serial code used for registration. The real differance is that a Retail version may be installed on any pc ( provided it only installed on one at a time )...as opposed to the OEM version which is only supposed to be installed on the pc , it either came with or was purchased to install on .

If you purchase a Dell or HP for example , you will not receive a authentic M/S operating system . You will receive a set of install /restore disks which contain propietory software ......( this is done to save a few $ in license fees )

Hope this helps

dl65  

Thanks for the info dl65.  Now, I have yet another question: What's the difference between the Micro. Win XP Home OEM version with sp2 and the Mic Win  XP home upgrade sev Pack 2?   There's just a $10 difference between them.  Is it that the upgrade has more security features?  And, would I be able to install that version, should I chose it, on top of Win ME?
Is there a big learning curve on using XP when I've used to ME?

[R.I.P.]

MarleneD......The differance is ...... Home OEM version with sp2 can be installed on any machine where as ...... the Up Date version may only be installed on a machine which already has a M/S upgradeable O/S installed on it ........Or in other words ........If you were to wipe the hard drive on your pc ......( remove all data from it ) you could not install the win xp upgrade ........you would have to reinstall the Win ME and then install the XP Up grade over it .

Hope this helps you .

dl65  

Yes, that helped somewhat.  So, does that mean I can install either version on top of my Win ME? I wonder  why the upgradable version is $10 more?  
Would installing one be better than the other?
Thanks a bunch!  

[R.I.P.]

MarleneD..... Usually a upgrade version is less than the regular version ........
In any event , if it was my machine , i would be completely removing ME and start with a nice new fresh install of Win XP ........
Installing one o/s over another is like taking your car into a body shop and telling then just fill in the dents with body putty and paint it .....( don't worry about the rust ......noboby can see it ) .........

Hope this helps you .

dl65  

Yes, I think I will do a "clean" install.  
Thanks to all of you Computer Hope Gods & Computer Hope Fulls :  Flame, Fed, hywaydave, dl65, & Computer_Commando!  
You've all helped me so much.  I'm sure after I do the install (probably before) you'll see questions again from me.  This has been the best computer help forum I've seen so far!