Windows XP is NT 5.1 though. Windows Vista is NT 6.0

I recommend Windows 7 or 8.1 on your Mac. Windows 8.1 is fine now and you can bypass the Start screen. Don't believe the media hyperbole and especially that you haven't tried it. Also, Microsoft is bringing back the Start menu in the next update in the coming months so it will feel more like Windows 7. If you don't…

Support ending for Vista in April 11, 2017 isn't much of an issue. I don't need Microsoft tech support as I'm generally a good computer literate troubleshooter.

Well, Vista SP2 is better than 7 is what I agree with. This person has written some great points: http://variableghz.com/2012…

Same with Windows XP initial release of being buggy before SP2

Maybe Bill Gates should give extended support and hire man hours to keep updates to XP being supported (like big companies paying custom support agreement as it is).
Or maybe Bill Gates should give free Windows 7 or 8.x upgrades to the school or buy the school new computers.

This has happened when Windows 98 ended support in July, 2006, and Windows 2000 ended support in July, 2010. How is ending Windows XP support any different of a "forced OS upgrade"? I bet Windows 2000 would be more than enough for people but it isn't safe to use anymore due to lack of support and XP is no exception to…

Well, you'll be able to enjoy Windows 7 (released 2009) for another 5 1/2 more years if Microsoft doesn't extend support again. Currently, end of support for Windows 7 is January 14, 2020.

You can run 2009 Windows 7 on an ancient 2002 Pentium 4 with 2GB RAM. Try running 2009 OS X Snow Leopard on a 2005 PowerPC based Mac quad core, 4GB RAM setup, let alone a basic setup for Windows 7, both same year of each OS released.

Getting drivers from Windows Update is not as reliable. I suggest obtaining them from the manufacturer's website for the most up-to-date ones.

Windows Vista was an advanced OS of it's time. More secure and instant search immediately made it superior to Windows XP, besides it's updated visuals.
If
anything, Windows 7 is worse because they remove features (less default
programs preinstalled, DreamScene gone entirely) and with using Windows
Explorer, the search…

If it works for Windows 8.0, it should work for Windows 8.1 too. 8.1 is just an update to Windows 8 platform.