is it as good as xp ?
That depends on what you call "better".
Is it faster loading than XP?
No.
Does it use less RAM to load than XP?
No.
Does it run programs faster than XP?
No...just like Vista it is slower.
Is -everything- 100% compatible with XP?
No but then neither was Vista and Windows 7 is built on the Vista kernel.
Does it take less than 16 times the HD space to install it than XP?
No...but only if you don't use Windows 7 Ultimate and even then all versions DO take far more HD space.
Now if you ask is it "better" than Vista?
Perhaps...but then again it is Vista with fixes that should have been made to it and allot more crap added.
Is it worth well over $300 USD rather than a $89 XP w/SP3 disk?
Probably not for most people but for those who want the Ultimate with all the languages most used around the world....maybe,maybe not.
Now if your asking me will I install it on my next build?
Yes...but I still won't buy it.