Minimum Requirements

• The absolute minimum to run Windows XP Home Edition as it was released in 2001 is as follows:
  A Processor running at least 233 Mhz (recommended: 300 Mhz), 64 MB of RAM (though it is recommended to have 128 MB), A Video Adapter rated to run Super VGA graphics (800 x 600 resolution or higher), at least 1.5 GB of Drive Space on your Hard Drive, A CD-ROM or DVD drive, a keyboard and a mouse or other pointing device.
  
  

Add-ons and Their Requirements

• A sound card which will run your speakers or headphones (needed to play sounds or music), and a 14.4Kbps or faster modem and Internet access are needed for Internet surfing.
  If you are networking with other computers, you need a Network Adapter.
  Some businesses and at-home entrepreneurs use voice and video conferencing. For this, you will want a 33.6Kbps or faster modem, or a network connection and a microphone or sound card with speakers or a headset. Video conferencing also requires a video "Web" camera and Windows XP on both systems.
  If you are sharing applications across your network or across the Internet, you will need a 33.6Kbps camera and Windows XP on both systems.
  Troubleshooting via remote assistance, both the ailing and assisting computers must be connected by a network (or Internet connection) and running XP.
  For DVD playing -- you need a DVD Drive and a decoder card or decoder software and 8 MB of Video RAM (i.e. a video card with 8MB or more memory on it.)
  To use Windows Movie Maker -- you will need a 400 Mhz processor minimum to capture digital video camera capture.
  To use the Video capture feature, you need a digital or analog video capture device.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Additional applications and utilities were added on later as "service packs." Service Pack 1 (released 9-9-02), did not require additional resources, but additional drive space was recommended. Service Pack 2 (released 8-6-04), required an additional 1.8 GB of RAM memory. And, Service Pack 3 (released 4-21-08), required an additional 900MB of Memory. Service Pack 3 is the most current "Service Pack" on the market.
  
  

Significance

• The significance of Windows XP, and its service packs, can be felt all across the business and personal computing market. A 2008 survey of computer makers Acer and Toshiba revealed that 90 percent of all laptops sold run a version of Windows XP. Most laptops are used by professionals and students primarily for their portability and connectivity. If you want to capitalize on the usefulness of these (and other) computers, you will need to upgrade to Windows XP.
  
  

Misconceptions

• There is a misconception that Windows XP Home Edition might be inadequate for a business or student's needs and, in general, this is not so. The Windows XP Professional Edition does have more productivity software pre-installed, and is geared more toward business, but it is more costly. For a lower price, Windows XP Home Edition is adequate for small business, individuals and students who need the utility of Windows XP, but not the extra software and applications that come standard with Windows XP Business Edition.