Windows 7
Is what Vista should have been, and the 64bit version leaves XP standing still, gawping stupidly...
(caescarna Hell's Roomba, Fri 5 Nov 2010, 14:52, 1 reply)

Not really. It typically runs about the same/slightly slower on the same hardware for most tasks.

XP was good enough that it would never have died, had Microsoft not killed it. And whilst it's not selling anymore (other than as a 7Pro downgrade), it'll still be in use right up to the point they discontinue support.
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Fri 5 Nov 2010, 15:50, closed)

Only
months left I think. Microsoft will stop system updates on XP service pack 3 within 3 months, which is a bummer.
( industrial_bunny, Fri 5 Nov 2010, 15:55, closed)

it's good until 2014 - mainstream support has already ended (I think), but security updates will still be pushed out.
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Fri 5 Nov 2010, 15:59, closed)