Windows 2000 is just as stable but does not require product activation. It also does not require a Passport account.
OK. I hate to sound stupid here. But . . . what's a "Passport Account"?
Whatever it is, I do not think I have one.
I am using this XP computer just exactly as I have used other computers. Same software. Same style of work. Same programs always open. Same everything. All that changed is that it is a lot faster. And, so far, nothing crashed.
From my experience, Beta 2 of Windows 2000 was far more stable than Windows XP gold code! I haven't gone back yet as I work for a software development corporation and my staff will eventually have no choice but to support development on the platform, so we need to know the issues up front. The short and long of it is that my recommendation for those contemplating upgrades or new purchases, "Stick with the tried and true, stable Windows 2000. Don't muck with Windows XP. It's as big a turkey as Windows ME."
On another note, Redaht 7.2 is outstanding. I recommend a KDE 2.2.1 desktop over Gnome, however. Out of the box, it works better on a Cyrix PR233 MHz CPU with 96 MB RAM (yeah...I know, ancient technology) than Windows XP on a 850 MHz Pentium III with 384 MB RAM.