Deciding OS for my Sager 2090

So, after lurking these forums for some time, looking for the perfect laptop, I decided to go for the 2090.

I wanted a powerful laptop that's multipurpose. I game quite often, but I intend to do schoolwork on the laptop as well... running programs such as matlab, or .net and c# programs.

Now I'm wondering what OS to install in the laptop (currently at xoticpc's website, customizing ) I think Vista would be a good choice to future-proof the laptop. but I've heard that Vista is such a resource hog, somewhat annoying to use with all the security notices, and is incompatible with many softwares... I fear that later on during my final year in college, I'd be required to use some weird software from my prof that's not vista compatible.

I've had no problems with xp currently... just that I don't know how long will it be supported by current software / system developers. I'm looking to keep this laptop for another 3 years.

This is the spec that I'm getting:
- 15.4" WXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1280x800)
- Intel® Core™2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz w/4MB L2 On-die cache - 800MHz FSB
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 8600GT DX10
- 2,048MB DDR2 667 PC2 5300 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory
- 100GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA 150)

Any advice will be much appreciated! thanks

 

Most schools are smart about technology, they use what works for as long as possible. If you happen to go to a place where they must have the newest stuff as soon as it comes out, then yeah, i'd get Vista, but otherwise, stick with XP. You can always upgrade to Vista for ~60 USD.

 

Ok, I also think that's the best course for now.... even better now that I know XP is upgradeable to vista thanks

 

Yes, Vista will be more future proof than XP. You can disable the feature that prompts you about security notices, so that shouldn't be a concern.

Vista will utilizes what ever you let it. You can turn off settings (like Aero) to free up resouces and extend battery life if you need, but with a 2.0 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a battery that lasts for more than 2 hours easily (some recent reviews of the 2090 have the battery at 3-4.5 hours) that shouldn't be an issue either.

You didn't state when your final year will be, but most colleges I've been to and know of have been pretty quick to adapt to new technology trends and software (especially if you have (a) good teacher(s) in the department). In a year I wouldn't be supprised if your school was running Vista on most of their systems and recommending it to their students. I don't picture a teacher telling you to use a program that doesn't work in Vista. (Most of your classmates would likely be using Vista systems of their own. You wouldn't be the only one).

Finally, you are buying an 8600GT graphics card/chip. Since XP doesn't utilize the 8600 nor DX10 you'd be waisting a lot of the potential of your card.

I would recommend Vista as your OS. (You can always pick up a cheap copy of XP later on if you absolutely have to).

 

I was initially going to install XP Pro myself but I ran into the BSOD trouble because of SATA. Some people have reported to install XP by simply turning off AHCI in the BIOS but I tried that and it didn't work for me. I don't know what you'll run into installing XP. I preferred XP over Vista simply because it runs more seamlessly with todays programs and software.

I decided, what the hey, and I installed Vista Ultimate. It is a resource hog, especially since my NP2090 only has 1GB of RAM, but a lot of the services are not essential and can be turned off for faster performance (including the Security Center, so you don't get those annoying pop up notifications). In fact, I'm very satisfied with just 1GB of RAM, no slow downs whatsoever and I would expect adding an additional 1GB will be even better.

 

Dual Boot... Run them Both

 

hm.. my final year's going to be next year... so I don't think vista will become that much more popular in a year. BUT! If i'm going to run into problems installing xp... then I'd have to go for Vista <_<

After taking a second look at Xotic's customize page, seems that they're sending out XP with SP2 cd along with the notebook... From what I read, the installation problem occurs because people are trying to install XP without SP2.

thread link here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=143771

 

My two cents' worth is: stick with XP until December of 2008, that's when MS will stop supporting XP (e.g., and most importantly, security upgrades). By that time MS should have managed to get Vista out of the beta+ stage, at which point you should be able to gracefully shift over from XP to Vista.

In the meantime, if the software you predominantly use ceases to support XP, you can shift over at that time.