I’m a techie sort of guy, so it may surprise you to learn everything I do is done on a 10+ year old cpu. From HD Video editing to Vector Design to Web Design. A very old Dell Optiplex is my workhorse, and it is running Windows XP. Yes, I know how to tweak the operating system for peak performance, and yes I know how to max out my ram. And I will when I need to. Thats the sad part of the slow and painful death of Windows XP. I feel like I am putting down Old Yeller, except there is no growling. There is no sickness. My Optiplex is perfectly fine, and someone else is forcing me to put it down.
My “ancient” CPU and its “ancient” operating system work great. I can do all I need to do fast and efficiently. I still have room to upgrade my ram if I want more speed. I still use the latest and greatest software. But I now have to contemplate upgrading my system for fear of vulnerabilities. Since Windows XP Support ended April 8th, all XP holdouts are now in the digital wild west. Microsoft has eliminated Windows XP throughout its products, downloads, etc. So we are now “on our own”.
Many have said it before me. Microsoft made Windows XP too good. They made a great OS that the world was happy with. Which should be a good thing! But when your product is ageless, you cant receive additional profits on that product. Make a new one! Say its better, and cross your fingers… I dont have a single CPU past Windows XP, and I am not ashamed to admit it. I do support computers that have Vista, Windows 7 and 8. And while the new operating systems are very pretty, they don’t necessarily wow me into upgrading. They have twice the ram of my xp box, better processors and bigger monitors, but they still take a second to open a program. They still have network conflicts and need to be defragmented and optimized.
All this being said, what do we get with these new systems? A hole in the pocket for a prettier looking system. I am very curious to see how this final step in the phase out process goes. Will companies begin offering services to keep those holdouts happy with XP. Will Norton, McAfee and other firewall and anti-virus services begin phasing out XP as well? Or will they try to capitalize on the fear of this Windows XP Apocalypse?
I am upgrading several business networks and have seen some serious growing pains. Latest and greatest has never been a desire for me. I’m more of the tried and true type. I will continue to offer my own windows xp support. And for now, I will keep my pup as is! It is still vibrant and full of life! I am just delaying the inevitable, but I will continue to delay until I see my puppy really is sick and needs to be put to rest!
