Comparison of Windows Operating Systems

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Comparison of Windows Operating Systems

The most common versions of the Windows operating system today are XP, 2000, 98, ME, and Vista. Here is a comparison of them, including such factors as compatibility, system requirements, and speed...

VERSION	PROS	CONS
Vista	Runs new software, price has been reduced	Poor backward compatibility, high system requirements, slow
XP	Compatible with most newer software, accessories. Relatively reliable.	Fairly high sys. req., won't run some DOS, Win3.x/95 programs
2k	Runs many newer programs, reliable, lower processor and memory requirements	Can't use IE 7.0/8.0 (use Opera instead)
ME	Relatively low system req., some new features	Compatible with fewer programs. Reliability issues
98	Faster, compatible with more DOS & Win3.x/95 software	Can't use some newer programs and accessories.

COST: Each of the Windows operating systems typically costs less to purchase as it becomes older, with the exception of ME which typically sells for no more than Windows 98. Versions 3.11 and 95 often sell for $10-15 on eBay (rather cheap in comparison to $40+ for 98 or ME).

FEATURES: Windows ME and later include the System Restore feature, while the Start menu and taskbar are included in all versions since 95. Additional utilities and games are included with more recent versions, although certain older programs (Write, Clock, Imaging, Phone Dialer, etc) have been removed or replaced.

Many of the details on 98 apply to Windows 95 as well. 95 is slightly faster and has lower system requirements than 98, but the Paint application reads/writes fewer formats and version 95A doesn't support USB.