Q.: I have Windows XP. Microsoft will not issue security updates after April 8. Do I need a new computer? I do some banking and stock-market transactions.
— Ann Simmons
A: You do not need a new computer. But if that is your primary desktop PC, upgrading to Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 8, would probably make sense. The company said in a recent blog post that the during the two years that it stopped supporting an earlier release of Windows XP. That could be a sign of things to come for the operating system when Microsoft ends all support. If your old computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 8, consider switching to a Mac, which offers a more stable and secure operating system. If you have XP on a low-end laptop or netbook, consider switching to a Chromebook, a relatively inexpensive and bare-bones laptop powered by Google’s Web-based Chrome OS.
— Andy Vuong, The Denver Post
