hp desktop pcs, choosing the best Windows desktop platform for large and medium-size business and organizations (Microsoft)

Choosing the Best Windows Desktop Platform – For Large and Medium-Sized Businesses and Organizations 7
Coming Soon: Windows NT Workstation 5.0
The Windows NT Workstation 5.0 operating system promises to combine the best of Windows 98, including native Plug
and Play and power management, while significantly extending the manageability, reliability, security, and performance of
Windows NT Workstation 4.0. In fact, improved management capabilities are expected to reduce TCO as much as 50
percent or more over other Windows-based environments. For more information on the features and benefits of
Windows NT Workstation 5.0, go to http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/basics/ntw5/
The following summary highlights key capabilities:
• Easiest to use
− Plug and Play
− Power management
• Most powerful
− Enhanced security with Kerberos 5 and Encrypted File System
− Support for new hardware
• Most manageable
− Document and user settings management
− Application deployment and updating
− Centralized, policy-based management
− Machine replacement
Although all 32-bit Windows operating systems are scheduled for upgrades, Microsoft believes that the best way to
prepare for Windows NT Workstation 5.0 is to deploy Windows NT Workstation 4.0 today. Because of its shared
registry, corresponding application programming model and other common components, Windows NT Workstation 4.0
promises to be the easiest upgrade path to Windows NT Workstation 5.0. For example, Windows 98 and Windows 95-
based applications will often require a special conversion tool (called migration.dll) in order to be moved to Windows NT
Workstation 5.0. Moreover, each application is unique and may require its own conversion program. Windows NT
Workstation 4.0-based applications will be upgraded automatically to Windows NT Workstation 5.0. Also, though support
will be expanded slightly, most applications that do not run under Windows NT Workstation 4.0 are not expected to run
under Windows NT Workstation 5.0.
It is also important to note that all users who want to upgrade will eventually need to move to the Windows NT product
family as Windows 98 is the last major upgrade planned for the Windows 9x architecture. Microsoft is planning future
desktop operating system development around the Windows NT architecture.