News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

June 25, 2008

windows

Reluctant Reminder: Get your XP now, if you really truly want to

Posted Jun. 25, ’08, 7:56 PM PT by Dan Pourhadi
Category | Windows

borgattack1.jpgRob Griffiths at the Mothership offers a reminder to masochistic readers who intend on some day running Windows XP on their Macs: Your opportunity to get a copy is quickly coming to a close, as Microsoft plans to stop selling XP after June 30th.

“But,” you say, disregarding my groans that I have to talk to someone who wants to soil his Mac with the stench of Microsoft’s diseased operating system, “can’t I just run Windows Vista instead?”

Well sure you can, bub. But even masochists draw the line somewhere. And Griffiths gives three explanations as to why you might prefer XP over its questionably-bootable successor:

First, XP runs faster than Vista in both Fusion and Parallels. …

Second, XP offers the widest support for third-party hardware and software—there are still quite a few programs and/or pieces of hardware that either don’t work quite right, or don’t work at all, with Vista. …

Third, XP is a solid, stable OS that’s had any major issues addressed via service pack releases over the years.

He goes into much more detail in the article itself, which is worth reading if despite my strongest objections you really intend on committing this crime against elegant technology. And remember: June 30th. Get it done if you must.

But, as an alternative, may I suggest jabbing yourself in the eye with a pen, instead? You’ll still get the pain, but at least you can avoid the self-loathing that will inevitably come from installing Windows on your Mac. Just a thought.

(Note: I know I’m gonna get flak from people if I don’t clarify this: It’s all a joke; I know some of you have very good reasons to abandon virtue and make Steve Jobs cry. I totally understand.)


1 Comments

Barbara said:

I totally agree about the Windows infestations happening on the Intel platform, but because of it I've seen Mac sales shoot up from 10% to 45% at the university I work for. People here who absolutely have to run a key application in Windows now have the freedom and desire to buy Macs and they are doing it. We can't keep the suckers in stock.

June 26, 2008 6:15 AM

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