There is a thing called XP mode that may be required to run legacy XP apps but performance is not an issue considering most IT shops are running huge parts their operations on vmware without much of a hiccup. As long as you aren't running doing video editing or running the latest game in XP mode, you will not see any performance issues at all.
I've been a big proponent of pirating Microsoft's stuff in the past. We have all of our computers with legit copies of windows running now (it is truly amazing, lol). Yet, I can see why people do it though. Hell, XP is still $90-$110 just for an OEM home copy these days and that's not even before you start talking about Windows Vista and/or Windows 7. I think Microsoft is finally beginning to wise up (if even slightly) to it's ridiculous $130+ policy for installing it's new OS on just one computer. This article ( http://tinyurl.com/mshdpg ) talks about a nice Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack (3 licenses for 3 comps) for around $150 potentially at release. That would be nice. In the past though, microsoft reaped what it sowed in terms of just ludicrous price gouging and refusal to discount their OS even years after it was out. Especially Vista, Vista makes NO sense why they haven't knocked off much on that rice yet.
Over here at UA we can just take an intro comp sci class and use the MSDN. It's free if you're in a comp sci class or at the bussiness college (well Vista was)
If that's what you think Microsoft is then don't use their software. Use one of the many open source options available to you. But I would be really curious to hear your explanation as to how they are a government sponsored monopoly?
I got it running on my black macbook and It's a lot cleaner than vista. Nothing beats free....for right now.
But that's release candidate right? I don't think there are any free full versions of Windows 7 unless you are a student and part of MSDN.. http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=391402&t=1505441
Wow, no kidding eh? Damn. Can non-UH'ers purchase it as well or if I go to Lone Star College... would they have it?
Pretty sure you have to be an enrolled student. and I'd hook people up, but they put a limit of 1 on them.
From what little I used, I already like it better than Vista. The taskbar alone will make me use Win 7 over Vista now. Hopefully my school will have it in October.
