It is still beta, but it won't be long.
The latest version right now is:
Windows XP SP3 Beta Build.5.1.2600.3205, 2007.9.1, KB936929

XP_SP3_RC1_5.1.2600.3244.7z is the latest build.

What they're saying:
Windows XP SP3 Twice as Fast as Windows Vista  Leaves Vista SP1 in the Dust.

Windows XP outshines Vista in benchmarking tests.
New tests have revealed that Windows XP with the beta Service Pack 3 has twice the performance of Vista, even with its long-awaited Service Pack 1.

If XP SP3 has twice the performance of Vista, what does SP2 have speed comparison-wise? Just curious, I keep using XP SP2 even on one machine for which I have a (Dell) Vista "upgrade".

How big is the XP SP3 download? I'd guess 50 Mbytes. Do you suppose it will be available on CD/DVD for a shipping charge from MS? Why would MS produce something to put Vista in the "DUST"?

I read that Vista may go the way of ME. I'm glad I stuck with XP. Maybe it is here to stay for a while.

Jane

Interesting. Who would have guessed?

How big is the XP SP3 download?
Right now XP_SP3_RC1_5.1.2600.3244.7z is 328.83 MB

I'm guessing that they'll send it out on a CD for free like they did with SP2

I've heard that, Vista is the new ME.
They'll make improvements over time, you gotta admit though, Vista is pretty.

Thanks, I'll look for the CD, even with DSL 328 MB is a lot to down load...and I don't yet have DSL and am considering buying only the first step, low cost, version which provides something like 750 KB down load, slower up load. Hum, not sure about the numbers, I'll go look them up.

This is the first place I've seen anything comparing Vista to ME. PC World isn't talking that way, well I haven't read the latest issue yet.

I read about it over on the Dell Forums.

Any operating system that provokes a campaign for its predecessor's reintroduction deserves to be classed as terrible technology. Any operating system that quietly has a downgrade-to- previous-edition option introduced for PC makers deserves to be classed as terrible technology. Any operating system that takes six years of development but is instantly hated by hordes of PC professionals and enthusiasts deserves to be classed as terrible technology.

Windows Vista conforms to all of the above. Its incompatibility with hardware, its obsessive requirement of human interaction to clear security dialogue box warnings and its abusive use of hated DRM, not to mention its general pointlessness as an upgrade, are just some examples of why this expensive operating system earns the final place in our terrible tech list.

I've been using Vista Ultimate on my desktop and XP Pro on my notebook for the last six months. I didn't like Vista at first, but now I'm considering upgrading my notebook to Vista. It does things that XP can't.

Yes, and if we "talk" about only the "good" things XP can't do, what can we do to XP, (SP3?) to get those good things?

MS has reached the usual state for a business that dominates a market, they lose touch with the customer, reality, they just know too much to be relevant.

If Microsoft would add a dual boot Vista/$nix to the service pack and auto load one of the $nix with minimal accessories... then Vista would suddenly become coolware.
Everybody would buy and load it.

But the downside would be, what if they liked $nix ? suddenly... microsoft might find it needs to jump into the alternative energy business and discover something new to get rich with!

PC Technology seems flat. Microsoft knows pretty soon the stack of dollar bills they cherish might go flat too. Might be wise for them to expand outside of the PC industries and get ready to move the heck out of the software business.

Thinking of buying myself a laptop from Santa for Christmas, and the Staples store I would buy it from have the deal going that they will prepare your laptop for you ...with only the programs you want to have installed on your laptop, so it's ready to go without all the added junk.
Now I'm wondering if I should get Vista on it or not????
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ?????

Now I'm wondering if I should get Vista on it or not????
Go with Vista, don't get left behind.
As far as the speed I was talking about, these are benchmark tests done on a couple test systems.
The differences could only be micro (one millionth of a second) or nanoseconds (one-billionth of a second) and we're not going to notice any difference.
I'm using XP with the latest SP3 RCI and Vista with the latest SP1 on the same computer.
I can't tell any difference and both Operating Systems work flawlessly.
Once you're connected to the internet and using you're favorite browser, it doesn't mater what OS it is, that's just something that opens when you start the computer.
With Vista, you get the eye candy, aero glass, and can be current until the next OS comes along.

I use XP at work along with Win2000 on a stand alone. Here at home I have been using my Vista system since May along with a Win 98OE out in the garage.

No argument about a Vista hardware incompatabilty issue. However, advancing technology brings change and sometimes things just get left behind. Think Beta recorders. Think land line telephones. Think next year when they turn off all the analog TV stations.

Sometimes I wonder if people just condemn things out of personal gripes or they are just anti-Microsoft for example. To get a true picture I screen my readings by focusing on who has an axe to grind and what's in it for them.

My vote is a Vista system clearly outshines XP in my book.No question about it.

DA

I still use land-line phone, and I can tell you all the poor reception I hear on the calls, long distance and local, come from poor performance of the cellular on the other end. When I call someone else on a land-line the call is clear and never drops out.

I returned an Acer notebook early this year because of driver problems and poor technical support, I also note it had Vista. I then looked for a notebook with XP, found a good deal on a Gateway, demo unit, which had XP. I also have a Dell PC with XP Media and the Dell update DvDs to "Upgrade" to Vista. I have not done so, nor do I plan to, and given the good news that there is a SP3 coming for XP, I'm happy with my decision. SP2 is fine, but SP3 says to me MS will support XP for many years to come. PC World ran tests of Vista and picked as one of the test machine the same Dell PC I have. They said it worked ok, but slower than XP. Whatever the eye candy is with Vista, I've missed seeing it.

Jerry correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you out in God's country like I am? I ask as my land line service was moderate to say the least. Then a couple of years ago they came in and replaced all the old copper trunk lines with fiber optic. Telephone improved and even the Internet connection slightly. Ain't progress grand.

I guess it might boil down to choice just like in new cars. Some people like buying a new 2008 and some people like to buy a new 2007 even though the 2008s are out with the 2009s due out in nine months.

DA