Vista or XP Pro?

Question

Hi! I am buying a new laptop, and I thought I would have choosen Vista. But I read that it is no good as XP Pro, that it has got lot of issues, not so stable, etc... ANd it seems that microsoft is already thinking to a new OS for 2010, completely new. As Vista is so much more demanding, and I experienced (in a little while I was able to use it) problems with some versions of certain programs I use (nero and Power DVD), well, can you tell me more? Is it Vista better than XP or not?

driven01 · Answer

Just my experience: I upgraded to Vista twice. once when it was first released, and then again about a few weeks ago. In the first attempt I reverted back to Windows XP SP2 after one month. This time, I reverted after only two weeks. I had a lot of problems with: - Wireless network dropping a lot. - Outlook 2003 losing the ability to communicate with an IMAP server without a reboot. - General stability issues (not terrible, but not as stable as XP was.) - Lots and lots of corporate app incompatibilities. (VPN issues, Lotus Notes issues, and a lot of our web-based corporate apps were only compatible with IE6, not IE7.) - Driver incompatibilities with some older scanner hardware. Granted, a large part of my issue was due to corporate requirements. If you are a home user and these aren't concerns, then go for it. If they are, take a step back and think hard about it. My personal preference is also that XP 'feels' much faster and laid out nicer. I did like the file system layout better in Vista though. As you pointed out, MS is coming out with a new OS around 2010. (Maybe sooner.) At this point I'm personally not going to try the upgrade again. I'll wait for what comes next.

phocused · Answer

I agree with Driven. If you are a home user and won't need to connect older devices and install older software then Vista may suit you fine.   I made the mistake of assuming Vista would work in my production shop. It wouldn't run vital graphics software, had issues recognizing parallel security dongles, etc.   I lost several days worth of production ripping Vista off my new system and doing a clean WIN XP PRO SP2 install. After running the same system with both Operating Systems I can honestly say XP is much more efficient. The system is worlds faster with XP.   We'll stick with XP Pro in my shop for as long as we can. Sorry Vista.

Sergioo · Answer

Well, I suppose I would go with Xp Pro... But, how can I get an original copy if both the Inspiron 1520 and the Latitude D830 come with Vista only, at least in italy? Can I ask Dell for letting me choose XP anyway? Will this be free or with charge? And, the fact that they offer these notebooks with Vista only, means that they are not compatibles with XP?

driven01 · Answer

That is the exact same problem that I just experienced.    I wanted to buy a Dell XPS laptop (Around $3200).  While XP was offered as an option it came up with a warning that the sound card wouldn't work with XP.  Since I wasn't going to buy Vista, I crossed this laptop off my list.  Second, I looked at a Dell Inspiron (D630 or 830 .. I forget which) ... and XP wasn't an option in the configuration I wanted.   So ...  I ended up buying a Macbook pro.  I'm running XP under a virtual machine.  Yes, i could do that under Vista as well ... but why?  If I am going to do that I might as well get a decent base-OS.  :-)   If anyone is wondering if Vista is hurting PC sales ... it really is.

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Vista or XP Pro?

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