Laptop for Windows XP Recommendations

A few years back, I had a Windows XP desktop that died on me. Like most XPs users today, I only used it to run old applications and games and never took it online. Anyway, recently I was thinking -- assuming the data is recoverable -- of copying the old drive onto a new laptop and make that my offline machine. Problem is, with all the technical advances, I don't know if any modern laptops are compatible with XP.

Any recommendations on a brand and/or make to shop for? Thanks.

Edited by zombiewhacker, 17 March 2023 - 07:37 PM.

You can either get a newer computer with enough RAM and CPU to allow you to have XP run in a VM or get an older computer on Ebay. XP would have a hard time running on newer computers. You can't copy your drive contents over to another drive that runs on different hardware and expect your programs to run. You could copy over personal data but any programs would need to be reinstalled.

https://www.ebay.com/b/Windows-XP-PC-Desktops-All-In-One-Computers/179/bn_2781532

XP laptops

https://www.ebay.com/b/Windows-XP-PC-Laptops-Netbooks/177/bn_2767236

Edited by JohnC_21, 17 March 2023 - 07:48 PM.

Any of the multitude of Core2Duo-powered machines from around 2008-2010 w/4 GB would work well for XP. I'm specifically thinking of the Dell Latitudes here; they were "current" at the time XP was 'active' and still supported, so should have no trouble with driver support.....and Dell have always been extremely easy-to-use, whether Windows OR Linux.

There's a ton of them out there, on places like eBay or Gumtree.....they were produced in the millions, and are still well-regarded a decade & a half later.

(MacOS doesn't come into it, 'cos that wants Apple-specific hardware under normal circumstances.....and you've got to be a bit of a "fanboi" to accede to those kinda prices!)

Mike. 

Edited by Mike_Walsh, 24 March 2023 - 06:32 PM.

Finally purchased a Dell Latitude off eBay (Win XP Professional). Laptop works fine so far.

One quibble, though: while playing Civilization 2, the in-game videos don't load. A quick internet search suggests I may need the K-Lite codec patch for videos to work. Recommendations for a safe site to get it? I can download it onto one of my other computers, then flash drive it over.

If you are running XP Sp3 you could give VLC a go, info and download at source here

Thanks, but would this patch allow me to watch the videos inside the Civ2 game itself? Right now the game freezes up whenever a video is supposed to occur.

I'd rather download the K-Lite patch and see if that fixes the problem globally -- but first I need to know the right version and where to safely download it.

would this patch allow me to watch the videos inside the Civ2 game itself?

 

It is not a patch but a program, as to whether or not it will do what you require all depends on what is preventing you watching the video in the first place.

purchased a Dell Latitude 

 

Can you post the exact model name and/or number so that we can check the specs.

I'd rather download the K-Lite patch and see if that fixes the problem globally -- but first I need to know the right version and where to safely download it.

 

 

 

VLC is direct from the source so no worries about dodgy downloads + it is free so you have nothing to lose by trying it.

Dell Latitude D620 Laptop, Windows XP Pro SP3

Thanks again for your help.

Thanks for the additional info 

How much RAM does the notebook have.

I could be wrong but it looks to me like your graphics solution is not strong enough, Civilizations II system requirements indicate that dedicated VRAM is required but the Dell Latitude 620 only has up to 264mb of shared memory + the CPU while dual core it is slower than the speed stated as being required at the info here

All the more reason to try VLC me thinks.

You are welcome btw 

System Info reads:

2.99 GB RAM

Physical Address Extension

Are you running 32-bit Windows XP by any chance.

Have you tried VLC. 

I would assume it is 32 bit because I'm able to run older 16 bit programs without difficulty.

That explains the odd memory amount then.

You still haven't told us if you have tried VLC yet.