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Both are based on the original Windows NT kernel. In general, Win2000 is a more lean OS. If you take Win2000 Pro, install the service packs, Internet Explorer 6, Media Player 8, and DirectX 8, the system will essentially be WinXP without the tons of additional code that comes with XP. And the "product activation" insanity is largely avoided. WinXP also offers many bells and whistles, such as built-in CD writer support, Remote Desktop Connection, Internet Connection Firewall, Fast User Switching (for multiple users sharing one PC), and Windows Movie Maker. In THEORY, third-party driver problems are mitigated with XP, as Microsoft has formalized a testing process to verify that third-party device drivers meet certain criteria. Microsoft maintains a single update site containing copies of all certified driver and application program upgrades. Also, when new DLLs are installed, XP will retain the older versions to allow for restore when something goes wrong. Updates can be automatically downloaded and installed for network users (which most sysadmins strongly discourage). A more technical discussion: http://www perpetualtechnologysolutions.com/strate icsolutions/whitepapers/Microsoft_XP_vs_2000.pdf If support for existing or future software is important, and you intend to use this box for > 3 years, you should probably consider XP pro on a box with mucho memory. As for reliable hardware, A Dell, HP (Compaq?), Gateway (eMachines?), etc can all be considered generally the same. (Although I do have stats from my two previous employers that indicate IBM boxes are good machines). What makes a HARDWARE reliable is its environment, and the quality of its power supply. What makes HARDWARE appear to be reliable is a good BIOS and a clean OS install and app configurations. Do not use instrument control machines to surf the web, or to develop software. What makes SOFTWARE reliable is doing nothing with it.... If the box is running mission-critical stuff (eg, production ATE), I would consider using a BSD or Linux box with commercial development tools. Matlab will run on a Linux box, but the GUI config for this application is not trivial. If your lab is IEC 17025 accredited (eg, TMP, SMT, WMT), you may find that software validation and verification is not possible with a Microsoft OS. luck, Brian -----Original Message----- From: robert Macy [ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 2:01 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Which Operating System - 2000 vs XP to use? http://www.ieee-pses.org/symposium http://www.emc2004.org/ -------------------------------------------------- Group, Anybody have a succinct (factual) answer to the question: Which Operating System should I use for controlling my equipment and manipulating the mass of data? Should I use the 2000, or XP? Consider we'll probably be running a lot of matlab type and/or viewlab type SW. I was already to go get a new 2000 system, but one of our third party software suppliers has recommended XP with the only justification - "our stuff has been tested in more applications, more units of the XP." Anybody have experience comparing these two OS? Also, where to get inexpensive, reliable PC's? Dell is one source. Fry's another. EBay is out. Any others? What ever happened to a company called, Evergreen? Does anybody have a system they want to sell in order to make room for an upgrade? - Robert - Robert A. Macy, PE. . [email protected] 408 286 3985. . . . . . . fx 408 297 9121 AJM International Electronics Consultants 101 E San Fernando, Suite 402 San Jose, CA 95112 ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. IEEE PSES Main Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message send your e-mail to [email protected] Instructions for use of the list server: http://listserv.ieee.org/listserv/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: [email protected] Dave Heald: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. IEEE PSES Main Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message send your e-mail to [email protected] Instructions for use of the list server: http://listserv.ieee.org/listserv/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: [email protected] Dave Heald: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
