Vista vs XP

[Wizwam]

I am looking to replace my desktop. The problem I am runnign into is that all pre-configured computers( read: cheaper and with a warenty) come bundled with Vista of some sort. I am a big fan of xp with the two service packs it does everything it should.

I am considering buying seperate parts and building my own but that brings added software concerns.( cd/dvd burring software, ect..) so over all the cost will be even to slightly more due to the deals dell/ hp offer for ordering on line orders.

My question to you is if you have ever worked with vista is the higher processing power worth the cost? or just a lot of frills. Also will older software I have work with vista? (painterIX, toon boom studio, corel draw12, cs2)

Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice.

Doug

[HellboyOne]

Build your own pc and get all the software you need from your friends. Not that I'm condoning software piracy, but it's always a good way to get started. You can pay for that stuff later.

[tylerdurden]

For the programs you wish to use (mainly Creative Suite 2 products) I'd stick with Windows XP. Adobe has no intentions of updating CS2 for full compatibility with VIsta, and, speaking with a rather truthful representative in recent months, their 'solution' is, "Buy CS3."

Being a Vista beta-tester, I can say there are redeeming features of Vista, but there are many pitfalls and blunders. In short, I don't think there's enough 'wow' in there to convince loyal XP users to migrate now.

Dell does indeed still sell systems with Windows XP, but not from their mainstream desktop and laptop lines. The OptiPlex, Precision, and Vostro systems of desktops and the Latitude, Precision, and Vostro laptops all have XP Home/Pro options.

I support the idea to build your own system, but only a scant few component manufacturers give any decent level of tech support and warranty support (not that I've ever needed to exercise a warranty myself, but I've heard of other people's misadventures with getting parts replaced or serviced). Assume that, should you build your own computer, you are on your own when it comes to tech support. If warranty support is something you want or feel you need, go with a Dell or HP.

[Wizwam]

Hellboyone- unfortunatly the only person I know who has software I use gets it from his dad who works in china. There is a difference between borrowing and payina $1 for a $400 program. I have checked newegg and tigerdirect are there any other reliable sites to look for components. Thanks.

tylerdurden- Thats what I thought about vista. I think I am going to have to buy cs3 for school anyway. Thanks for the info about the dells.

[Nightwing]

vista was built with gamers in mind...so if you dont game or dont wanna enjoy dx10...its not worth it...atleast so far, well see what ms does to sweeten it for the average user
i game...alot...but i havnt switched over yet, dx10 is appealing but not enough games use it yet and it really isnt that great in its early versions

[AtomicEraser]

stay away from vista. it's evil. i'm not saying that JUST because i use XP. i'm saying that because my buddy is a programmer. he knows window backwards and forwards from 3.1 all the way up to XP. he uses linux now because he's so fed up with windows. he told me, XP is probably the best thing on the market right now as far as "user-friendly" operating systems go. he told me, when vista first came out, stay far away from it. apparently, microsoft has the technology the choose which programs you put on your computer and if you put pirated software on it, they are going to know about it. the word is, you've lost your privacy with vista. my parents don't know anything about computers and they were talking about how bad vista is. take my advise, you're better off without vista. sorry for rambling.

[Jasen]

Good info here, glad I stopped in. Having kicked the tires on Vista I found it to be clunky, as well as... it didn't take a few critical programs that I depend on for my artwork & some basics. I heard about music issues but haven't gotten there, since I just hired someone to come over & wipe Vista out of my life.

[Jasen]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ee1_1195791770

[drewid88]

Vista is slower for a bunch of stuff as well.

[markusprime]

Last night I went to login to my Vista computer and I got a error message saying my user profile service had failed. After some quick googling I found out I had to reboot in safe mode and do a system restore.
Vista is Poo

[HellboyOne]

tylerdurden: What's your opinion of Vista these days? I'm in the market to get a laptop and retailers sell their machines with Vista installed but many will swap it out with XP if requested. I'm leaning toward XP still. Thoughts?

[tylerdurden]

Apparently XP has a new lease on life, considering Service Pack 3 is inbound and Service Pack 1 for Vista landed and didn't appreciably improve anything except for hard drive access activity. Microsoft was going to cut the cord on XP shortly after SP3 was released, but has now extended official support until 2009.

While I have moved to VIsta x64 Edition, the programs I run on my Windows system are not critical to my productivity (mostly, I use Vista for gaming, everything else is done on my Mac) so upgrading didn't require buying hundreds upon thousands of dollars of upgrades for other programs so I could maintain my livelihood. Unless you already have the latest version of all the artistic programs you use (which would include everything from Adobe/Macromedia, AutoDesk, etc.), then XP is the only choice because most manufacturers are not willing to commit to supporting their outdated programs on Vista when they have a brand new version that will work just fine.

If you find a trustworthy manufacturer who is willing to get you a laptop with XP on it, I'd say go for it.

[Jasen]

Is there a place to see what programs Service Pack 3 fixes?

[tylerdurden]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... laylang=en

Effectively, it encompasses all of the updates between SP2 and now (that's 4 years worth of updates!) while adding some enhanced network functionality (mostly for use with Windows Server 2008, introduced late February 2008). Other than that, it probably won't affect day-to-day functionality of your system and doesn't really "fix" anything.

The current release candidate is floating between 315 to 325 MB, depending on which language you use.

[Jasen]

Here's some Vista code...