Expert: Bobbert - 5/25/2009

Question
I am torn between buing a mini-laptop and a laptop.  At my source, the mini is the only one with XP, which is what I am used to.  1. will support for XP end soon? 2. would Vista slow the system, as it is newer?  I have a 2.6 GHz, 710 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive, XP home ed. (SP2) that is pitifully slow, and I am buying mainly to increase speed, as I have a LOT of programs.  The sound and video both skip and the browser is incredibly slow, although I have 6 MB/sec. cable internet.  3. Considering what I have, would 2 GB RAM and a low price newer computer with Vista be dramatically faster than what I have with XP? 4. are the mini laptops harder to use besides a slightly smaller screen and no CD/DVD burner/player (are the keys the same size?)?  5. I use Crazy Browser, as it has the tabs and I can open up groups.  Would Internet Explorer be faster?  Thanks!

Answer
Support for XP is outlined in this article from Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&C2=1173&x=13&y=13

I wouldn't hold them to those dates, as they've made a few adjustments over the last year regarding XP and Vista support dates, and future Service Pack releases for both Windows XP and Windows Vista are listed as "To Be Determined". Ultimately the earliest forseeable date for the "end" of XP support would be July 2010, in terms of a Service Pack being retired, although extended support is expected into 2014.

Regarding Vista "slowing" the system, generally this isn't a problem, if the computer meets the operating requirements and recommendations of Vista, performance should not be an issue (this isn't to say all applications will run, however Vista itself should run just fine).

Regarding netbooks, the keyboard is generally smaller, depending on the user, this can be a minor issue, although I've yet to see a user fully prevented from using a netbook due to the small keyboard or screen.

On your current system, I would honestly suggest a reformat and re-install of XP, along with proper anti-virus and anti-spyware software (for example AVG Free from Grisoft and Windows Defender from Microsoft), and a generally secure browser, such as Internet Explorer 8 with proper updates or Opera 9.6 series. In reinstalling, if Service Pack 3 is not present, it should be installed as well.

-bob