Quote from mgookin:
XP and 7 are completely different.
7 uses the same platform as Server2008 which rocks. It's what I would use for an OS across the board if the price was the same. To say or imply that 7 is anything close to XP sp4 could not be more incorrect.
And Microsoft denies the rumors about 8. I don't know what the basis of your statement is.
There are still some people on Win95 but they're certainly not trading with it and you would not build a new box today with it.
1. OK, now I get your bias. You're in love with Server 2008, and as you say W7 uses the same platform, then W7 must be GREAT!
2. I never inferred "W7 was anything close to XP SP4". You'd complained about "all of the XP updates = trash". My point was that if all of the updates were rolled into and SP4 and included on an install disk, there wouldn't be "all those trashy individual updates", and XP would INSTALL like W7 installs.
3. I read somewhere on the net that "Miscrosoft has stated (apparently... and perhaps since denied, says you) there would be a W8 in 2012".
W95 is ancient history. XP is not. It's still on 3x as many computers as W7... and if the business community is taken separately, the ratio is much higher.
XP is still perfectly competent to run all trading apps and other computing functions. And while W7 may indeed be "better", it's not "better enough" to compel one to replace XP with W7... bells and whistles notwithstanding.
FWIW.... I know you'll ignore this comment, but other readers might be interested.... I put 2 new rigs in service this year, both with XP. I have copies of W7 but don't see the need to use them yet.