I've been looking through various forums for the answers to my questions, and I'm just not sure about things when it comes to compatibility, COBs/agents, and so on. So, I'm humbly asking for enlightenment on these subjects. ;)
1. My laptop runs on Windows 7, with an Intel Core Duo Processor. I already figured that I would have to buy an external hard drive for C3 (the game I plan to purchase). Is this a good idea, or should I just stick with XP on one of my boyfriend's old desktops?
2. I've read that Creatures: The Albian Years works better than Creatures: Exodus. Is this true?
3. The great COB/Agent Question: Do downloaded COBs work for C1 and C2, and do downloaded agents work with C3 and DS?
Again, I'm terribly sorry if these have already been asked and answered. I figure that it's better to just go ahead and ask than to risk wasting nine dollars (although Creatures would be a worthy cause, IMHO). :D

I'll answer as best I can:
1. To my knowledge, it should all run fine under Windows 7. I'm personally not aware of any compatibility issues except that Creatures 3/Docking Station require you to run them in 16bit colour mode, unless you run them in windowed mode. I don't know why you'd need an external hard drive.
2. I have no idea why it would be.
3. I don't know about C2, but COBs work with C1 and Agents work with C3/DS. Note though that some agents are only compatible with Docking Station and vice-versa. Usually you'll get a warning about that on the website you download them from or in the Readme.

Thank you very much! Your answers were more than helpful. :)

I'm sorry, I have one last question: Will the games still work properly if placed on a portable external hard drive? Thanks!

If I remember correctly, the GoG installer lets you choose the installation directory, so yes, they should still work properly.

Wow! Thanks! :)