Which OS Should You Install On A Netbook? Xp vs 7

Positioned as companions to either desktop or laptop computers, netbooks are small, light, convenient devices that allow for most of the basic computing functions found in larger systems. One of the most important decisions you will have to make when buying a netbook is whether to buy Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter for your operating system.

Windows XP had a long and fruitful life as the operating system of choice for almost a decade. Although it would seem that with the release of Windows Vista and 7, XP would fade from memory, it remains an excellent choice for netbooks and other applications where a fast, small-footprint O/S is needed.

Alternatively, you could opt for Microsoft’s Windows 7 Starter, essentially a stripped down version of Windows 7 Home Premium specially designed for netbooks and mini laptops. If you are confused about which operating system to choose, read on to learn the pros and cons of using Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter as your netbook’s O/S.

Windows XP Pros

Full Operating System – If you want a full O/S that doesn’t seem to be a watered down solution, XP is the better choice. Without any programs running, XP takes up only about 250MB of RAM vs about 1200MB with Windows 7 Home Premium. If hardware is a concern, XP just may make netbooks a possibility,

Stability – There’s no denying that Windows XP is a stable computing platform. Well, it should be after a decade of service packs, patches, and upgrades. If you are comfortable with XP as a desktop or laptop O/S, it will likely serve you well on a netbook.

Support – Going back to the 10 years of XP thing, no other operating has more support available on the web. If you have a problem, a quick Google search returns thousands of pages ready to help you with free tech support. No such luck for Windows 7 Starter given that it is new and not many people run it as an O/S.

Windows XP Cons

Old – As stated above, Windows XP is about 10 years old even though it enjoyed a long life. Still, if you use your netbook for 3 years, your O/S of choice will be 13 years old when you finally junk it. That fact doesn’t sit well with some netbook buyers.

Limited Future Support – No matter how long its life, even XP’s support will be limited in the future. Although you are covered for old issues, good luck finding support for new ones, especially those that include new hardware.

No 64-bit Option – Although there was a 64-bit edition of Windows XP (x64 edition), no current manufacturer offers it as an O/S for netbooks. Although Windows 7 Starter is also only available as a 32-bit O/S, at least with XP there was a possibility. As the software industry moves on to produce 64-bit versions of its software, you may be left behind no matter which of the two operating systems you choose.

Windows 7 Starter Pros

Latest Operating System – Although a stripped down version, at least Windows 7 Starter is based on the most current O/S from Microsoft. At the very least, you can expect the same kind of support you would expect from a current desktop or laptop O/S.

Streamlined – Although technically stripped down, some people prefer to consider Windows 7 Starter as streamlined for netbooks. Rather than install Home Premium and cut out everything unnecessary in order to deliver a pleasant computing experience, Microsoft has already done the work for you – it’s called Windows 7 Starter.

Anytime Upgrade Available – If you do decide to take the plunge and run Windows 7 Home Premium on your netbook, you can use Windows Anytime Upgrade to make the switch for about $80. At least this way you have the option if you think the investment is worth it.

Windows 7 Starter Cons

Limited Functionality – Let’s be honest, Windows 7 Starter really is a stripped down version of its bigger brothers Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate Edition. Although one thing the software giant got right was to allow you to run as many programs at one time as you want (well, at least as many as your RAM and processor can handle). Previous versions of Starter allowed a maximum of three programs to run simultaneously.

No Aero – If you got used to the Aero Desktop in Vista and 7, you may be in for a shock when you realize that the pretty desktop you have in those operating systems isn’t available in Windows 7 Starter. Don’t look for Aero Glass or Peek in this stripped down O/S because you won’t find them.

Preinstalled Only – Windows 7 Starter is only available preinstalled on a netbook or similar device. If you choose Windows XP, you may not be able to switch to Windows 7 Starter even if you are willing to pay for it. Make your decisions now because you may not be able to change it later.

Conclusion

Although a stripped down version of the other editions of Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7 Starter is a competent alternative when choosing an O/S for a netbook. Still, Windows XP just may have some more life left in her if you want a full-fledged operating system and want to enjoy the free support available on the web.

If you generally like the features of Windows 7 and don’t mind that it doesn’t quite look or feel like its big brothers, Windows 7 Starter may be a good choice for you. If you want the tried and true stability and usability of an O/S with a long, successful history, Windows XP may be the better choice.

Whatever you choose, think of how you intend to use your netbook and make the decision from that information rather than the list of features each choice offers.