New Windows XP Computers: Buying Guide

Jul 10, 2015

NIXSYS builds new computers that run Windows XP. There are no refurbished pulls or surplus stock in the lineup. The current range covers 19 systems, from slim desktops to 4U rackmount chassis, priced from $870.00 to $1,515.00. Every system ships from Irvine, California with a 2-year parts-and-labor warranty and US-based technical support.

This guide explains how the range is organized, which platform fits which legacy requirement, and what to confirm before you order.

Who Still Needs a New Windows XP Computer

Most buyers are not choosing Windows XP. They are keeping an application alive whose vendor never shipped a newer version. Typical examples are CNC and machine-tool controllers, PLC programming stations, automated test equipment, and laboratory instruments whose acquisition software and drivers were validated against Windows XP. In aerospace, defense and government labs, re-certifying that software on a newer operating system can cost more than the equipment it controls.

When the original PC fails, the practical fix is new hardware that still boots Windows XP and still accepts the interface cards the application depends on. That is the narrow requirement this range is built for.

Three Platforms in the Windows XP Range

The 19 systems fall into three hardware platforms. The platform decides which expansion slots you get, which other operating systems the machine supports, and how far back its compatibility reaches.

4th-generation Intel: NX81 series

The NX81 systems use an Intel 4th-generation processor platform with 2 PCI Express slots, 2 32-bit PCI slots, 1 serial port and 1 parallel port. They run Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11 and Linux. This makes them the right choice when one machine must serve a Windows XP application today and a newer operating system later. They are available in four chassis:

NX81-T30: slim workstation chassis, $895.00
NX81-T50: micro tower chassis, $870.00
NX81-T70: mini tower chassis, $895.00
NX81-T90: mid tower chassis, $905.00

2nd and 3rd-generation Intel: NX581, NX75 and NX781 series

These systems trade Windows 11 support for more legacy I/O. They offer up to 5 32-bit PCI slots and up to 6 serial ports, and they run Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. The NX581 and NX781 also support Windows 10.

NX581-T50 and NX581-T70: 2 PCI and 2 PCI Express slots, 2 serial ports, 1 parallel port; micro or mini tower, $1,035.00 to $1,055.00
NX75-T90: 5 PCI and 2 PCI Express slots, 2 serial ports, 1 parallel port; mid tower, $1,015.00
NX781-T90: 4 PCI and 3 PCI Express slots, 6 serial ports, 1 parallel port; mid tower, $1,105.00
NX75-R: 5 PCI and 2 PCI Express slots, 6 serial ports; 3U or 4U rackmount chassis, $1,170.00

ISA slot platforms: NX-i series

If the application depends on an ISA card, the choice narrows to the NX-i series. These are new-production systems with full-size ISA slots alongside 32-bit PCI slots, so ISA and PCI cards can run in the same machine.

Intel 945GV chipset, Intel Celeron or Pentium D: 2 full-size ISA slots and 5 PCI slots. Supports MS-DOS, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Linux. NX-i95 mid tower ($1,175.00); NX-i295 2U, NX-i395 3U and NX-i495 4U rackmount ($1,275.00 to $1,375.00).
Intel 845GV chipset, Intel Celeron or Pentium 4: 3 ISA slots and 2 to 4 PCI slots. Supports MS-DOS, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows XP and Linux. NX-i90 ($1,075.00) and NX-i85 ($1,415.00) mid towers; NX-i290 2U, NX-i390 3U and NX-i490 4U rackmount ($1,275.00 to $1,375.00); NX-i85R in 2U, 3U or 4U ($1,515.00).

The 845GV systems are the only ones in the range that also run Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 98 SE. Choose one of them if the same site runs older applications alongside Windows XP.

How to Choose

Work from the hardware the application needs, not from the processor.

ISA cards in use. Any ISA card means the NX-i series. Three or more ISA cards means an 845GV system.
Serial ports. Instruments and controllers that need several RS-232 lines point to the NX781-T90 or NX75-R, which have 6 serial ports each.
PCI card count. Five 32-bit PCI slots are available on the NX75 platform and the 945GV ISA systems.
Operating system roadmap. If the system must move to Windows 10 or Windows 11 later, the NX81 series covers both.
Installation. Every platform is offered as a tower. The NX75-R and the NX-i rackmount models fit 19-inch cabinets in 2U, 3U or 4U.

Before You Order

Send NIXSYS the application name and version, the make and model of every interface card, and the number of serial, parallel and USB connections you need. NIXSYS engineers can confirm the right platform before you place the order. Driver packages for the NX81, NX581, NX75 and NX781 motherboards are available on the Support page.

Warranty, Shipping and Support

2-year parts-and-labor warranty on complete systems; motherboards purchased separately carry 1 year. See the warranty and return policy.
Most orders ship within 3 to 5 business days from Irvine, California.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of invoice.
Technical support is based in the US and handled by engineers, not a call center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy a new computer that runs Windows XP?

Yes. NIXSYS currently offers 19 new-production systems that support Windows XP, in tower and rackmount chassis, priced from $870.00 to $1,515.00.

Which Windows XP computers have ISA slots?

The NX-i series. The 945GV models (NX-i95, NX-i295, NX-i395, NX-i495) have 2 full-size ISA slots. The 845GV models (NX-i90, NX-i85, NX-i290, NX-i390, NX-i490, NX-i85R) have 3.

Will the same computer run Windows 10 or Windows 11?

The NX81 series supports Windows XP, Windows 10 and Windows 11. The NX581 and NX781 support Windows XP and Windows 10. The ISA systems are not specified for Windows 10.