I need a new PC - should I stay with XP or buy the new Vista

[stmoritzer]

Hi JW

It's time to upgrade my PC, bigger monitor etc....
one of the first questions is:

Should I get XP ( which I prefer atm) or buy the new Vista?

Pros / Cons ?
btw the PC is mainly used for Picture Editing, some Office and Internet, nothing else.

Appreciate your support!

stmoritzer

[ae86_16v]

Make sure which ever software you are using that it is Vista compatible or that there are plugins to get it working with Vista. Or you might have to rebuy a Vista version.

I am not sure which Picture Editing software you are using.

And make sure you have enough RAM in the new computer with Vista and a decent video card. All that eye candy can be taxing on your system. Although I am running with 1GB of ram and a crappy Geforce GPU, and it seems okay. About to buy another GB or two of ram when prices are cheap.

Goodluck!

[evoWalo]

I'd go Vista after at least Service Pack One

[dutchmasterflex]

Might as well go for Vista since you can get it preinstalled with a new computer. I like it and feel it is an improvement over XP.

As ae86_16v said make sure to get a good system with 2GB of ram and a decent video card.

BUT

If you have any peripheral devices (web cams, scanners, game controllers, printers, mice) make sure they are compatible with Vista.. although if they are from big name manufactures and are relatively new, they should work just fine.

[TopGearNL]

I would go for Vista..

But if you do decide to take XP, make sure the PC is also Vista compatible!

[yg60m]

I think I would take this opportunity to pass to Vista but indeed you have to check what program you need and have already buy to be sure that they will work with Vista :wink:

[dutchmasterflex]

Vista really isn't that bad when it comes to compatibility and bugs. It's probably their best introduction to a new OS, ever. They have already out sold the most copies of any previous Windows versions during the first 2 months.

[RC45]

I have switched back to XP on the new desktop and new laptop.

Vista is a hog - and wihtout 2GB or ram, dont even bother. Software issues and plug n play hardware driver issues are the number one problems if you are tryign to support your current software and hardware peripherals.

XP is quicker and faster than Vista on equal hardware.

The switch is not worth the trouble if you have to pay extra.

[RC45]

Vista really isn't that bad when it comes to compatibility and bugs. It's probably their best introduction to a new OS, ever. They have already out sold the most copies of any previous Windows versions during the first 2 months.

Uhm no - compatibilyt is far far worse than Windows XP or even Widows XP or even Windows NT was.

The list of no-go products and software is huge.

Understand Vista is the "big switch" to the new hardware and core - very similar to the switch from 95 to NT - its the "big one" - where there is no going back once the hardware and software vendors fully migrate everything over - but until that time, you as a consumer with existing soft and hardware are better off with XP or even Windows 2000 if you need it.

[novass]

I thought about making the switch but decided against it and stayed with XP. I just installed some stuff to make my comp look like its running Vista with the clear windows and everything.

[dutchmasterflex]

Vista definitely requires more power all around, and XP of course faster on equal hardware.

I haven't had any compatibility problems except for MAMEWAH I got from Jabba. All my games and applications work well as well as my hardware. Although I just built the PC with all the latest hardware.

If he is going to be using relatively new software and no specialized business apps, then everything should be fine compatibility wise.

[TopGearNL]

With all the trouble mentioned relating to Vista, will it ever be a succes? Or do we keep using XP forever?

[ae86_16v]

With all the trouble mentioned relating to Vista, will it ever be a succes? Or do we keep using XP forever?

It will take a while for the other partners to sort everything out. Once they issues new drivers and updates then it will be okay.

Or like Evo said. . . wait until Service Pack 1, which should be at the end of the year.

I heard a lot of businesses are waiting until SP1 for everything to get sorted out. That and they don't want to spend the extra money on hardware and software to upgrade, for the sake of having a nicer GUI. :D

[TopGearNL]

^^ Ah I see..

[dutchmasterflex]

I heard a lot of businesses are waiting until SP1 for everything to get sorted out. That and they don't want to spend the extra money on hardware and software to upgrade, for the sake of having a nicer GUI.

Vista wont be ready for big business and corporations anytime soon.. Vista at home is one thing, but running it on a major network infrastructure along with many specialized applications is a very different with way more compatibility issues.

[Fleischmann]

Your first concern is that Vista drivers for certain hardware components may be unavailable for a long time or even ever. Also, if you do any gaming, for the time being, Vista is much slower running 3d applications.

To be honest XP is perfect for your intentions of use.

[Shinigami]

I wouldn't bother with Vista just yet. You need to let driver developers catch up, and that won't happen until the end of the year or even 2008.

And as far as companies go, don't expect all that many to go immediately to Vista. Nestle for example has been replacing their Win2kPro park with XP's, and that could only happen when all, or most of their specialized apps were compatible with XP. Once they've finished deploying XP, they'll look at Vista.

I know a few of the people working on SNOW (a Nestle multipurpose OS extension) and they're working full speed to make it work with Vista. Vista wouldn't be installed until SNOW worked fine.

We too have Win2k machines running some Oracle connectivity tools which means that some users here and there won't be able to switch until application vendors are up to scratch, and budget is approved for purchases of new revisions of existing apps.

Having said that, internally we're testing Vista in our team and I think it runs fine on machines with 1GB of ram. Having multiple windows open including Office 2007, even on a relatively modest 2-3 year old hardware (cpu included) works. Admittedly, Vista has a sweet spot appearing at the 2gigs of ram mark, and I won't bother until I swap my home computer to something much more powerful in the next 12 months.

[stmoritzer]

Thanks a lot for all the comments so far ! :D,
I will not use that much software, so I could go for both .....

I think I will go for XP and make sure, the PC is Vista compatible.

Further comments are welcome.

[TopGearNL]

^^ Do that for starters indeed!

[ViperASR]

With all the trouble mentioned relating to Vista, will it ever be a succes? Or do we keep using XP forever?

It will take a while for the other partners to sort everything out. Once they issues new drivers and updates then it will be okay.

Or like Evo said. . . wait until Service Pack 1, which should be at the end of the year.

I heard a lot of businesses are waiting until SP1 for everything to get sorted out. That and they don't want to spend the extra money on hardware and software to upgrade, for the sake of having a nicer GUI. :D

Thats what I'm doing. Staying with XP till all the bugs and such have been worked out, and everything in compatable.

[dutchmasterflex]

Don't be scurred, Vista doesn't bite ;)

[RC45]

but its the new windows OS and you might as well get it for free with a new comp rather than having to shell out for it later when you want to upgrade.

Free? Its not "Free" with a new PC... the price of the OS is built into the price you pay.

The only way you are getting a "free" OS, is if you don't pay for it and it's a pirate copy ;)

[TopGearNL]

^^ Or steal it, well at least the key :mrgreen:

[Dubai]

I'm a Mac user, so I would not know much, but my wife just got new Vista Laptop, and she is having a trouble to connect to a new (Less than a yr) Printers, Ploter & scanners..

so go for >> XP <<

[Erez]

I'm on vista, everything works here, Internet was never so easy to connect to, my cell, everything, vista is freakin awesome, and i'm having very little issues, nothing to serious, there is no way in hell i'm going back to XP.. :wink:

[stmoritzer]

Thanks again guys!

I'll have a look in the shops about prizes (upgrade later or not ...)



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any advice for a good monitor ?


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[dutchmasterflex]

Gateway FPD2485W 24" HD LCD 1920x1200

1080P
DVI
VGA
2 Component inputs

Got mine for $600 USD + 100 for 3 year warranty from Best Buy.

Been great so far, but now anything below 19" is just tiny to me.

[evoWalo]

I have a 22-inch Samsung 225BW and a 32-inch Samsung LA32S71BX LCD TV and I'm pretty happy with them. :)