Another newbie question, what exactly is Windows XP and Microsoft Office?

Primex

Primex

New Member
Ok, I understand that all computers need a software to operate. I'm buying a laptop (eventually), and I'm told to get Windows XP, but I'm really confused as to all the different types of Windows and the applications that they use. I wanna use Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint and Photoshop (don't ask me how photoshop got in the mix). There's other things I wanna do to like watch dvd's and listen to music, internet, stuff like that. Everyone is telling me NOT to buy Microsoft 2003 from the computer website, which I'm leaning towards Dell (someone please stop me if this is a bad choice) and instead buy them from a different vendor and install them myself. Is this possible for a laptop? I'm confused, I thought new programs couldn't be installed. Is a certain type of Windows better to use for this? Any help would be appreciated.
 
There's only Windows XP- Home edition and Professional edition. I'd go for the Professional, you'll get less problems. That's the operating system. Now Microsoft Office 2003 is the package where you can get Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Access, and Publisher. Adobe Photoshop is on its own. All these will work with either laptop or desktop.
 
the only reason why you wouldn't want to buy office 2003 from the web site is is you download the prog from them and get eh key sent to you. the prob with this is you don't get the instalation CD for future installs unless you pay extra. you can opt however to order the office 2003 cd package on the web so its up to you.

office 2003 is nice.

i hear that a new windows operating system is comming out soon but i would wait a for a while to use it so all the kinks can get worked out of it.
 
diablo said:
...i hear that a new windows operating system is comming out soon but i would wait a for a while to use it so all the kinks can get worked out of it.
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Yes, Vista. I've got the beta already, don't look wait for it. I'll be out maybe the 3 quarter of next year... maybe even later.
 
Heres a very stripped down and basic version:

Windows XP - Operating System designed by Microsoft.

Microsoft Office - An office suite created by Microsoft, which in addition to numerous other tasks has a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

And as Praetor said, theres many version of Windows XP out there, however the most common are Windows XP Home and Windows XP Pro.
 
ok, dont buy dell. their computers overheat when doing anything demanding, and shut down themself. i dont like their tech support, i dont like anything about them!!!

get xp, dont wait for vista.

there that is all i have to say :D
 
Primex said:
Everyone is telling me NOT to buy Microsoft 2003 from the computer website
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Are you talking about Windows 2003? It's another operating system, like XP is, but it is designed specifically for servers, so you definitely don't want that for your home pc.
 
Dell portables are pretty good, actually, and they've resolved that overheating problem to some extent (no more flaming laptops). One's lap can still get pretty toasty if you use the portable on your lap, though... that's a problem endemic to teh entire class.
 
Dngrsone said:
Dell portables are pretty good, actually, and they've resolved that overheating problem to some extent (no more flaming laptops). One's lap can still get pretty toasty if you use the portable on your lap, though... that's a problem endemic to teh entire class.
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Eh, i still would rather not buy anthing from Dell. They are my worst enemies. (only in the computer buying world).

But if you must buy from Dell, when you buy, try to get them to give you a real version of windows, not their Dell OS crap.
 
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