Tim Anderson's ITWriting

April 26, 2005

Windows XP Pro x64 uses Server 2003 code base.

In amongst Microsoft's 64-bit Windows announcements is the fact that Windows XP Pro 64-bit uses the Server 2003 code base, not the old Windows XP code. That means XP Pro 64-bit gets the benefit of numerous low-level improvements that were put into Server 2003. Personally I consider Server 2003 to be the best version of Windows yet, in terms of smooth operation and performance as well as security, so irrespective of any 64-bit gains, that's a good reason to move, and vindicates those mad people who use Server 2003 on the desktop, claiming that they get their work done more easily that way.

See also these comments on the different approaches to 64-bit being taken by Apple and Microsoft.