Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (License)

If you are upgrading from previous editions, the Windows 2000 wizards are particularly useful; they'll detect all your software and possible compatibility problems before you make the switch. In testing, our upgrade for a laptop was smooth and sure, and all previously installed software was automatically brought onboard to the new version.

Previously, Microsoft offered only limited support for notebook users within Windows NT 4.0. Windows 2000, however, allows most recent laptops to take advantage of power-management features, plug-and-play standard, plus recent hardware advances, such as the Universal Serial Bus (USB), IrDA for infrared devices, and FireWire. All these improvements mean that Windows 2000 will run on a greater array of systems.

There are some unexpected additions, too. You can also "hibernate" your Windows 2000 notebook to save and restore your work quickly as you go out on the road. In addition, this new OS adds more support for working offline with data saved from the Internet. (The Windows 2000 version of Internet Explorer 5.0 and Active Desktop, which allows you to access Web content from the desktop, are bundled here too.)

Besides support for mobile users, Windows 2000 beefs up reliability and greatly reduces the need to reboot as you update drivers, settings, and the like. Although you can still expect your Linux friends to brag that their favorite OS is even more reliable, the ease of configuration in Windows 2000 and its new-and-improved reliability make for an excellent choice for any serious computer user. Of course, if your business is using Windows 2000 Server on the back end, you will also benefit from easier installation and configuring of software, since these tasks can now be automated by remote administrators.

In all, Windows 2000 is a great-looking operating system, with a slick visual style, a responsive user interface, and plenty of power beneath the hood. For desktop and mobile users, it's a state-of-the-art choice for running today's Windows applications and for getting to the Internet. --Richard Dragan

Amazon.com Product Description
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional is the most reliable desktop operating system for business. Building on the power of Windows NT and the ease of using Windows 98, Windows 2000 is the best choice for work environments--big and small. Windows 2000 Professional offers the launching pad businesses need to benefit from the productivity and Internet applications that they use most. When combined with Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Professional is the foundation for the distributed platform that will optimize your business for today's dynamic work environment. The built-in Windows 98 business features include a simplified user interface, improved Plug and Play, Power Management, and support for a broad range of hardware devices. It's more reliable, secure, and manageable than Windows NT Workstation because of its new file encryption system and application management tools. Windows 2000 Professional was designed for business solutions and is not intended to replace Windows 95 or 98 for entertainment, gaming, or typical home use.

Product Description
W2K PRO LIC