As it stands, in many ways I see it as sort of a toss up between Win2k SP4 and WinXP SP1 or SP1a. However, when the issue of SP2 for XP comes up it becomes a whole new ballgame.
Overall, on this website, as well as several others that I like to check out now and then, it seems that despite the feeling that XP "has it for multi-media" in ways that Win2k just doesn't...overall a larger number of legacy software programs or games seem to work on Win 2K(admittidly with some effort at times), but many of these won't even install on XP, even in "compatability" mode. Yet a good number of these, will install on 2K and will also play. As far as new media goes, I am sure XP has an edge of 2K in a variety of ways. Until SP2 is brought up. That sorta throws the whole playing field back to 2K. Why you might ask? Well i'll do my best to explain.
1. Despite the claims of numerous security patches and fixes included in WinXP SP2, i've seen the number of complaints in regards to spyware/adware, and virus issues with XP go through the roof compared back to XP SP1 or SP1a days. I've even personally witnessed a large number of active X and other spyware/adware programs that almost seem designed specificly to attack SP2 systems. I had my own computer infested with one for days calling itself "internet optimizer". Yet a good number of them don't bother an SP1 XP or a 2K Windows install.
2. Microsoft made a major overhaul to how many key systems work in XP with the SP2. Yet they basicly neglected to make any real effort to make certain that even programs or games that worked in pre-SP2 XP, would still function afterwords. I've had to help a large number of friends and family since that SP came out, roll back their XP installs to SP1 or SP1a. The reason? There are a large number of even commercial software programs and games that have serious issues with working properly, if at all, on an SP2 XP. That kind of drastic overhaul of the OS should have come out on staged updates to give programmers a chance to update and adapt their code. Instead Microsoft basicly came out with a "Screw you, we're doing it anyways." type of attitude towards the whole service pack.
3. With SP2, if you are fortunate to have a copy of XP originally that predates this, even more of the whole OS is updated and adapted towards the "certified Windows or authentic Windows" activation B.S. that Microsoft has begun to force onto consumers. This is a big mistake in my opinion. Sure, it helps Microsoft combat piracy. It also helps to make absolutely certain that Microsoft is going to rake in an even larger amount of money in the future, at the expense of poor consumers.
3a. How many people know how this bogus "authenticating" software works? Any of you have much experience with it? If you don't yet, your going to. Eventually all Microsoft Software is going to contain it. They've stated as much. How does it work? Well, when you install the Microsoft program on your PC and go to first run it(this requires a internet connection), it will bring up a screen forcing you to let the program make a remote call over the internet to one of the Microsoft servers. What happens then? Well, one of two things. Either the program(after sending out who knows what actual information from your computer to Microsoft) will activate, load up with a nice thank you message from Microsoft, or...you get no dice.
3b.What's that mean? It means, as stated repeatedly by Microsoft, that you are given a certain number of "activation credits" on their servers. It also means if you have one hard drive crash too many, or one reinstall of your OS too many, your out of luck. Microsoft has expressly stated that you get a set number of activations, even if you wave your reciept in their face and smack a Microsoft technician in the head with the retail box your program came out of. So...you go out and spend $500.00+ on the next version of Microsoft Office professional, and darn...your hard drive fritzed that one time too many....guess what? You are now the proud owner of a nicely shiny and Microsoft labeled brand new Drink Coaster!
Must be nice to know you will have given Microsoft hundreds of dollars to get a CD that eventually as useless as your mounting pile of AOL CD's. They will not give you a new CD. They will not issue you more credits either. So get ready to fork a truckload of cash over to Microsoft. When this code hits official as being in every bit of anything Microsoft on the store shelves, consumers are going to be left with a real short end of the stick.
4. As far as SP1/SP1a XP and Win2K SP4 go, it's a toss up one way or the other, depending on what you prefer and what you get the most use out of on a PC. As far as XP SP2 goes? My vote is Win2K SP4 hands down, or better still, a copy of Mandrake or SuSe Linux with a copy of Wine and Cedega nicely installed. Hmm...that might have something to do with why i'm downloading the new 10.1 official ISO's for Mandrake right now...well maybe.
