Windows XP is out, and it comes complete with a number of new and improved features. A slightly revamped interface is only the tip of the iceberg. It now offers more intelligent and contextual file display in Explorer, integrated CD-R support, and significantly enhanced ability to deal with legacy applications. It'll also boot faster over time--and who doesn't like that? (Of course, there's that Product Activation thing that's got privacy advocates all hot and bothered...)

But all these features come at a price. How do you know if your system (or systems, for some of you) has the cojones to run this beast? And will XP install smoothly over your current config, or will you have to backup, wipe, and reinstall from scratch? It's easier than you think to find out.