GamePC have thrown up their review of Microsoft?s XP Professional x64 Edition RC1! Here's a snip.
We've been tracking the progress of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition since late in 2003, when we tested their first public build (1039) which was released in a pre-beta state. We've since followed up with reports of their later public builds, 1069 and 1218, both of which saw the operating system making huge strides in terms of stability, driver support, and software compatibility. While the operating system has been progressing nicely, the constant delays are enough to make anyone lose hope of a final release. We were beginning to think that the operating system would ever see the light of day, as we are now entering 2005 without a final copy in our hands and without a firm release date. Alas, there is a glimmer of hope. Last month, Microsoft quietly released a new build for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, which is being tagged as an "RC1" release. RC1, for those who are not up on their software release numbering schemes, is short for "Release Candidate 1". Typically, Microsoft will release several betas before a full-scale release candidate. When a piece of software reaches a release candidate state, it's a clear indicator that the software is nearing completion. Microsoft will generally only release one to two release candidates (sometimes three, although it's rare) before releasing the software to the public in a final state. An RC1 release is a very clear indicator that Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is getting very, very close.
Nearing Completion : Windows XP Professional x64 Edition RC1
We've been tracking the progress of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition since late in 2003, when we tested their first public build (1039) which was released in a pre-beta state. We've since followed up with reports of their later public builds, 1069 and 1218, both of which saw the operating system making huge strides in terms of stability, driver support, and software compatibility. While the operating system has been progressing nicely, the constant delays are enough to make anyone lose hope of a final release. We were beginning to think that the operating system would ever see the light of day, as we are now entering 2005 without a final copy in our hands and without a firm release date. Alas, there is a glimmer of hope. Last month, Microsoft quietly released a new build for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, which is being tagged as an "RC1" release. RC1, for those who are not up on their software release numbering schemes, is short for "Release Candidate 1". Typically, Microsoft will release several betas before a full-scale release candidate. When a piece of software reaches a release candidate state, it's a clear indicator that the software is nearing completion. Microsoft will generally only release one to two release candidates (sometimes three, although it's rare) before releasing the software to the public in a final state. An RC1 release is a very clear indicator that Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is getting very, very close.
Nearing Completion : Windows XP Professional x64 Edition RC1
