Windows XP was Microsofts poor attempt at running against various Linux software. Linux has used the NTSF kernel for years and years, Microsofts first attempt was with 2000Pro. The most stable OS to date that Microsoft has ever put out was DOS sad to say and they did not design it. Linux is based off of UNIX (THE WORLDS MOST STABLE OS) and test upon test has proven this over and over. Linux systems is the only software that offers free 800# tech support that you get a real human. There is countless titles of software now to use Linux and even some patch programs to function some Windows applications. Linux was offered under the GPU so you can freely download and distribute the programs. This was what computer geeks of yesterdays wanted in the first place, but others saw profits. As for Windows XP, it is great for the unskilled computer user as it makes sure it can darn near control everything and will shut down before it is allowed to blue screen. Asa for faster that is a joke, I love Microsoft has always founded itself saying the program is "FASTER". Let me explain: If you are going to a fest with a Toyota pickup truck and a small canopy on the back (windows 3.1), then you are climing the worlds longest hill. Along the way to see a 17' travel trailer (Windows95) and you ditch the canopy and take the trailer and continue on, then you see a 40' trailer (Windows XP) and again drop the trailer and pick up the bigger trailer exactly how are you going faster? You still have a Toyota pulling that much heavier larger trailer. Recomended Requirements: Will work with less Winodws 3.1 (33mhz cpu 8mb memory 80mb hd) Windows 95 (66mhz cpu 16m memory 300mb hd) Windows 98 (P100 cpu 32mb memory 540mb hd) Windows ME (P166 cpu 32mb memory 2gig hd) Windows 2000 (P233 cpu 64mb memory 2.4 gig hd) Windows XP (P2500 cpu 128mb ram and 5 gig hd) These are direct quotes from MS to our company for product support. If you need a faster larger computer to run it then actually the software is not running faster! (DUH!) I have been in the industry from the early years of the Vic20, TRS80, then C64, PS2 (not playstation)then IBM clone machines. Linux is the way to go if you have the ability. Microsoft is loosing its hold onthe OS world since Linux started running wide spread. Germany has switched all thier systems over and most of our US govt systems run on Linux. To further prove the point I would dare to guess that the host service for this forun runs through a Linux or Unix based server as Windows has never proved stable enough to stay up beyond 30 days ata time in a server enviroment. I talked was way too long.... I hate Microsoft!