I have run Windows XP Pro on a PII-300 laptop with 192 MB RAM.  The machine
was usable for email and general internet surfing.  I still have XP Pro
running on an Athlon 700 with 384 MB RAM.  It is a fully loaded
(software-wise).  It has an ATI All-In_Wonder card.  I can record from the
TV feed just fine if I have a minimal load running (email, 1 browser
window).  Any more than that and the recording starts to drop frames.
Windows 98 performs better on both of these machines than XP Pro, but the
biggest drain comes from the rest of the software on the system - antivirus,
anti-malware, firewall, printer & scanner drivers, etc).  I don't have the
data any more but I did benchmark these systems as bare OS, and loading one
each of my utilities.

I would recommend that you max out the RAM on your system.  XP Pro will run
slower on your 733, but it is on the lower edge of what is considered
acceptable.  XP Pro does run better in a P4, but we work with what we have.

Ron

On Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 1:50 AM, Walter Ermacora <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I'm getting conflicting opinions on whether to install WIN XP Pro on a
> Pentium III machine or not.  I need a solid expert opinion on this matter.
>
> Specifications:  Compaq Deskpro EN; 733MHz; 384MB RAM; 120GB Hard Drive;
> ATI
>                 All-In-Wonder 128 16MB Video Card; WIN 2000 Pro.
>
> The computer is mainly used for 2D & 3D design.  I used the XP upgrade tool
> from Microsoft's website and everything checked fine with no
> incompatibilities or problems.  My main concern is if XP Pro will slow down
> my computer considerably or not?  Is XP Pro better served if installed on a
> Pentium IV machine vs. Pentium III?
>
> Signed,
> Confused ;(
>
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-- 
Ron Jobe

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