Does anybody know when the next operating system is due out?

[Tuzenbach]

And by "operating system", I do believe I'm referring to Windows. You see, I've currently got Windows '98 in my 6-year-old PC and would like to (eventually) upgrade. However, I don't want to go out and get any of the Windows 2000/ME/XP if any of those are in danger of soon becoming obsolete. So, are any of you "in the know" regarding up and coming operating systems? Thanks!

 

[IronWolf]

The next version of Windows, codenamed Longhorn is rumored to be coming in May of 2006. This information is from here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/longhorn_preview_2005.asp

(scroll down a bit)

Keep in mind, that is still an estimate at this stage of the game. Microsoft is notorious for slipping release dates.....

 

[jaerdaph]

And by "operating system", I do believe I'm referring to Windows. You see, I've currently got Windows '98 in my 6-year-old PC and would like to (eventually) upgrade. However, I don't want to go out and get any of the Windows 2000/ME/XP if any of those are in danger of soon becoming obsolete. So, are any of you "in the know" regarding up and coming operating systems? Thanks!

Honestly? If your computer is six years old, you probably SHOULDN'T upgrade to Windows XP, even if you win the lottery tonight and can afford to do it.

 

[drothgery]

Win98 and WinME are already obsolete, and MS will be ending official paid support in June of 2006 (this was pushed back from 2004); official free support ended for both in 2003. Official support for Win2K will probably end shortly after the corresponding versions of Longhorn are released. A lot of more recent software, including Office XP and Office 2003, won't run on Win98 or WinME.

It's unlikely that WinXP (or even Win2K) will run well on a 6-year-old computer, unless it's been upgraded so often that it has almost none of the original equipment and/or was a very high-end computer when purchased.

 

[Tuzenbach]

Ah, I should have been more specific. In the process of upgrading, I'll not only get a more current operating system, but a more current PC within which to contain it.

So, do you guys think I should wait 18 months to upgrade? With my $$$ situation, the earliest I'd be able to upgrade anyway would be September. Struggling student, you see. Thanks for all the responses, BTW.

 

[drothgery]

I've always recommended deciding what you're going to spend, and then buying the best available for that price as soon as you've got the money. It's not advice I've followed much myself (I tend to get too caught up in the Next Big Thing), but it's still good advice; you can't know what's going to be introduced when, or what's going to be generally available when. I used to make a pretty good case that upper-midrange kit (one or two steps below the best available CPU, video card, etc.) was the best value proposition, but I'm not at all sure this is true anymore; in today's market, it may be a better value to buy a low-midrange system and upgrade more frequently.

 

[Mercule]

Depends on how well your current computer suits your needs, etc. I've got a nine year old laptop that's still quite serviceable for some tasks -- it'd be even moreso if it had a functional CD-ROM (wore out). I've also got a three year old desktop that is only slightly less-powerful than some of the low-end Pentiums you can pick up today, though.

Honestly, 18 months is an eternity in the computer world. I wouldn't really let it be much of a factor in my decision. The $100-300 to upgrade in that time is insignificant compared to the amount of increased productivity you'll have until then. Besides, you've already demonstrated a willingness to work with older tech, so it's not like you need to upgrade next year. Also, Win XP is a whole lot better place to rest, IMO, than Win 98.

FWIW, I'm currently waiting for FedEx to deliver a new computer to me. The only factor OS played in my decision was to make sure I was getting XP Pro vs. XP Home, and even that's because I like gizmos more than need.

 

[Aeolius]

In the process of upgrading, I'll not only get a more current operating system, but a more current PC within which to contain it.

In that case, I'd say go with the Mac mini running OS X 10.3 (includes iLife '05 ) . Granted, 10.4 will be out by Q2, with luck.

 

[Tuzenbach]

Depends on how well your current computer suits your needs, etc. I've got a nine year old laptop that's still quite serviceable for some tasks -- it'd be even moreso if it had a functional CD-ROM (wore out). I've also got a three year old desktop that is only slightly less-powerful than some of the low-end Pentiums you can pick up today, though.

Honestly, 18 months is an eternity in the computer world. I wouldn't really let it be much of a factor in my decision. The $100-300 to upgrade in that time is insignificant compared to the amount of increased productivity you'll have until then. Besides, you've already demonstrated a willingness to work with older tech, so it's not like you need to upgrade next year. Also, Win XP is a whole lot better place to rest, IMO, than Win 98.

FWIW, I'm currently waiting for FedEx to deliver a new computer to me. The only factor OS played in my decision was to make sure I was getting XP Pro vs. XP Home, and even that's because I like gizmos more than need.

Ah, thanks for that, Mercule. I *think* what you're saying is to upgrade in September to WinXP, yes? Believe me, my "willingness to work with older tech" has only been governed by life circumstances. That, and a sh*tload of patience.

I currently possess an Emachine (circa '99) "Etower 400i3 PC", with a 4 gig hard drive, 32MB of Ram, Intel Celeron 400MHz processor, and a 56k modem. It didn't even come with MS Word, but MS "Works", whatever the hell that is. Am I a friggin' caveman or what? Ultimately, I'd like to have a PC good enough to do a bunch of 3D designing with. Not animation, but design.

Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[Tuzenbach]

In that case, I'd say go with the Mac mini running OS X 10.3 (includes iLife '05 ) . Granted, 10.4 will be out by Q2, with luck.

OK, I don't know what you just said, but it's reminiscent of "Mac-speak". lol