After many years, since October of 2001 actually, Microsoft is putting Windows XP to rest on April 8th. Most businesses know that this is happening but what will all of the home users do, who cannot afford a new computer or laptop that can run the newer versions of Windows?
Alternatives to Windows
There are some alternatives if you do not need to run “Windows” specific applications and one of them is the one of Linux variants such as Ubuntu or the less hardware intense versions such as Xubuntu which is working very well on the older hardware that I am currently using. I am currently typing this article on an IBM T42 laptop that was purchased around 2005.
Granted, this isn’t going to be as fast and powerful as a new laptop but it works well for doing, email, word processing, spread sheets, picture editing and web browsing.
The best part about using Linux is that many of the applications are free and full of most of the features that you will find in the latest Windows applications. If you are familiar with Google applications, Google has a an entire suite of web based applications that run inside your web browser too.
Installing Xubuntu is a fairly straight forward process and I outline many of the details in a one of my recent articles, Breathe new life into that old laptop or computer for free. Take a look at that article to see if upgrading to Linux is something that you think you can do.
Keep XP or not?
Many people are wondering what is the worst that can happen if they continue to use Windows XP after Microsoft stops updating it. It depends if you like to gamble. Some will argue that all the exploits for Windows XP have been cleaned up and fixed over the years but the reason for all those updates is because new exploits are found all the time, announced to the developers and action is taken. Since Microsoft is no longer going to do these updates any hidden problems, that have never been announced, will be good targets for attackers.
If you do your banking online, use Social Media like Facebook and Twitter or even share private photos with others, your information has a high probability of being of being compromised if you continue to use Windows XP without updates after April 8th.
So you ask, what if I just use my antivirus software and keep it up to date. That will help you with viruses that have already been found but any new exploits, that are called zero day exploits, will not be found until the antivirus companies update their software which may be too late.
The only other alternative is to disconnect your XP computer from the internet and use it as a stand alone computer which for a good amount of the population is unacceptable.
Linux sounds like a good option, doesn’t it?
I am not trying to paint a picture of gloom and doom but using Windows XP after support ends could not only cost you money, by having your data compromised but it could also cost you time and effort trying to recover what you have lost. Think about how devistated you would be if you loose all those pictures that you saved over the years.
If Linux is not for you and you are considering buying a new laptop, I like Lenovo laptops and have used them for many years. If you are looking for a desktop, I am currently using a two year old Dell desktop, from Costco and it works well for me.