Which leaves you vulnerable.

for XP into the future...

Not surprising to me, they built their business on that, and they know it well.

Continue using XP until it gives up the ghost.

or Windows 8 Metro. They are abandoning XP

that's like saying "oh I'm sorry you're '98 Ford Escort is dead, have you thought about getting a BMW?"

so yes, it is an option.

And macs come with the office suite which is native and will read that data.

I gave him the OS options. Either OS Ten, any variation of Linux, or update to Metro. Those are the options right now. His system will be increasingly leaky and non safe

My last system lasted nine years. So in the long term it was actually a very solid investment. And refurbished they are not that bad.

Why are you still using XP?

and I need to get her a new computer.

if you're running older hardware and only use your PC for things like Internet and video streaming and email and possibly word processing and spreadsheets I'd recommend looking at Linux (something like Lubuntu, which has the lightweight LXDE desktop and works well on older hardware); the odds are good your hardware will be supported, you'll be able to do everything you do now (if you use any Windows specific programs that you're attached to you may need to run a virtual machine, though).

Here's one that may give you some info: http://phys.org/news/2014-03-windows-xp-apocalypse-options.html

The other replies have already shown the different attitudes towards this question: get Linux, get a Mac, update your OS. Know that MS is partially extending XP protection for another year due to user outrage, so if changing computers and systems is not an option for you now, there is a little more time.

You are most in danger if you use any of the applications packed with a typical MS system, such as Internet Explorer or Outlook Mail. You should avoid using those programs. You can also, alas, be attacked through applications such as Flash and Java. Your best defense there is not to use them except at sites you know are trustworthy. And you should make sure your anti-virus software (you do have av software, don't you? Otherwise you are begging for trouble) is up to date.

-- Mal

They are being quite careful about their commitment to XP, saying only they'll support it "for the foreseeable future." According to another article (which I can't link to) "Nearly all significant anti-malware vendors have announced they will extend support for Windows XP users for at least one year, most for two or more." So there are software options.

-- Mal

which has worked better than anything I had tried before.

I like the XP system. It works better than any Windows since 3.1, in my opinion.

... and 8.1 is supposed to have repaired some of the bad parts of 8.0. But that's really only relevant if you're going to get a new box, which is probably something we will have to face sooner or later.

-- Mal