Works in Progress

I took the next-generation Windows and Mac OS for a test drive. Result: no crashes, much pain

Want to give yourself a really good headache? One of those lie-down-in-a-dark-room-with-an-ice-pack-on-the-forehead affairs? Try installing two brand-new operating systems on two different computers at the same time. Nothing causes cranial pain more quickly, as I discovered when I got my hands on the two pieces of software that will soon rule our lives: Windows XP and Mac OS X (pronounced oh-ess ten). These are the next-generation operating systems for PCs and Macs, respectively. Windows XP, to be released later this year, is currently out in beta, a trial, bug-testing format. The debugged OS X is on store shelves now, which means...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!