What to expect from a Windows XP PC
Microsoft has done a lot of research to determine what people expect when they buy a new PC. The results break this decision into two categories, or levels. In the first level, people tend to decide that they need a PC for the whole family, or they want to replace or expand an existing PC with a newer one. At the second level, people are looking more closely at the entire PC experience. They want a stable machine for work and fun. It should boot up (and shut down) more quickly, and offer self diagnostics when something goes wrong. PCs should be, but generally aren't today, visually appealing.

To answer these needs, Microsoft has proposed what it calls a Windows XP PC. This consists of a mid-level processor (Pentium III 500, or equivalent, or higher), 128 MB of RAM, a Wake On LAN network interface card, USB and IEEE-1394 ("Firewire") ports, and a CD-R or CD-RW. Windows XP PCs should continue the push for a legacy-free design by not using parallel or serial ports. And they should contain a microphone and, optionally, a Web camera. On the software side, all of these devices should interface with the system using signed drivers only.

David W. Williams, Director of the Windows User Experience team, explained that PC makers need to get over the plain beige box that predominates today. He used Compaq's successful iPAQ machine as an example of a quiet, elegant solution that meets the needs of 99 percent of the people out there, compared to standard desktops, which are more expensive and much louder. Finally, Microsoft seems genuinely interested in taking the PC mainstream.

"Most people do not have emotional experiences with their PC," said Microsoft Group Vice President Jim Allchin. "Contrast that with the Mac where there is a heartfelt attachment. The PC grew up in a work setting. Windows Me was a little start toward changing this. But Windows XP will be a solid foundation for all users."

Windows XP Deployment
Because Windows XP will be installed by such a wide range of users, ranging from technically unsophisticated home users to administrators wishing to automate corporate roll-outs, OS deployment has improved significantly with this release. Microsoft Group Product Manager Tom Yaryan discussed the ways in which Windows XP improves on the installation, serviceability, and deployment capabilities it inherits from Windows 2000. "We wanted to reduce the install times for OEMs," Yaryan said, "while reducing 'setup anxiety' for end users choosing to do a retail upgrade. OS setup is difficult today."

Interactive Setup
For end users, the Setup user experience has been enhanced dramatically. Text is presented in plain English rather than confusing technical jargon. Questions that require user input are batched together so that the user can walk away from the machine and know that Setup will continue without them needing to OK a dialog box later on. The Setup color scheme is now warm and inviting rather than ugly and garish (as it is in Windows 98). Ever-changing, informational "billboards" provide the user with feedback about new features to expect once the OS is installed.

And here's a weird one, given my experience with previous versions of Windows: For the first time, Microsoft is actually pushing upgrades over clean installs for the home user. When a Windows 9x desktop is upgraded to Windows XP, a backup is automatically taken of the old installation so that the user can go back if the Windows XP upgrade fails. And the backup is mandatory: Microsoft says that hard drives today are big enough to handle this and Windows XP will eventually ask the user whether they'd like to delete the backup if they don't use it.

"Users can go back to Windows 9x if they're not satisfied with Windows XP," Yaryan said. "And if Setup fails at any point, the system goes back to old OS. The archive file is about 300 MB, and 1 GB of free space will be required for Setup to even run.