[markwilliamson2001]

I work in a Windows networking environment daily, and it does its job well (using XP SP3 on client workstations, and server 2003 on our main file and other servers).

From my point of view, XP does its job in terms of being an operating system to run my apps (office, adobe, IE, and mostly s**t educational software!). Through the use of imaging machines for classrooms, it is easy to setup, fairly easy to find solutions to problems (mainly due to its high use in both industry, education, government, and small businesses). Through group policies we can easily lock down the system to prevent malpractice and messing by students. However in terms of a home computer XP and Vista SUCKS compared to Leopard for the following reasons:

1) Machine backup in native Windows is just so shocking and rubbish! You have to use bundled software with the laptop, or shell out extra cash to do this..
2) No native DVD support or DVD burning in Windows, so you have to purchase additional software at extra cost!
3) iTunes actually works without causing your machine to slow to a crawl (like on Windows). I know you can use other apps with your iPod in Windows, (e.g. Winamp).
4) Driver support in Mac is far superior.

Quite often we get teachers and staff coming in and asking what to get for a home computer...

My answer is:
If you want a computer, buy a Dell or HP machine. If you want a GOOD computer, buy an Apple Mac with Leopard OSX on it, and download OpenOffice.org to do office work, or buy MSOffice for Mac if you want to do MS Access.

Personally I am typing this on a HP Laptop running XP (as I can't stand Vista's control panel layout and extreme hardware requirements) mainly as I just use the internet, email, and some typing etc etc. and if I want to do something for work (huh?) at home I know it will work fine without issue.

Just my two cents
M.