Any reason to choose vista?

Im sure something like this has been asked before so feel free to just link me to a webpage/discussion but...
Admittingly I am no buff on OS but I have not been hearing good things about Vista (system hog/unreliable/unpredictable). As I will most likely have the choice between XP and Vista once I purchase a laptop is there any reason to choose Vista over XP? I will be a CS major with all that may entail and some gaming. Will we see many Vista exclusive apps coming out (Halo 2?) because this would make the descision alittle harder.
Thanks.

 

I have used Vista off and on for a while. I ended up going back to XP because:
1. Some utilities/programs did not work yet
2. It runs slower...

Other than the fact that Vista looks better, there really isn't a big compelling reason to upgrade.

 

Microsoft will stop selling XP by the end of this year.

Eventually, assuming Vista doesn't flop completely like ME, and assuming there's a huge gap in time to the next OS (which is a fair assumption), Vista will become a standard feature of PCs...or so Microsoft would like us to believe.

As for practical reasons to upgrade well...there probably aren't any.
Your programming apps might not even be compatible with Vista yet depending on what you use, and your games are just as apt to run slower in Vista (if at all) than in XP.

But if you want to futureproof your investment, might as well get Vista.

 

Paul Thurrott's Website has always been a good source of info for me with regards to Vista. I really haven't found a single website or thread that comprehensively discusses this all in one place, unfortunately.

In a nutshell - enhanced security (UAC), more intuitive folder/windows explorer structure, improved and integrated speech recognition, live thumbnails, more comprehensive tags (metadata editing of files), more comprehensive backup and restore suite, Superfetch, Readyboost, Readydrive, improved power options (Sleep mode), integrated Reliability and Performance reports, Reliability Monitor, are to name a few.

That said, however, there isn't a single critical component of Vista that is absolutely necessary over XP. There are a number of significant improvements in terms of usability and features, but nothing that, as a user of XP, you wouldn't be able to live without or find a third party alternative for. Vista is definitely an evolution of Windows, and a good one at that, although the familiarity and compatibility of XP gives most users a comfort level that they are not willing to give up for Vista, which is still relatively new and as such has its issues.

As for Vista exclusives, the only game currently out that requires it is Halo 2, not exactly a compelling reason to switch to Vista. Microsoft has been pushing its Games for Windows platform, which allows synergy with 360 gamers and Live compatibility, and is intended to unite PC games under a "4th console" banner, i.e., Windows Vista. In reality this kind of thing isn't really succeeding in the PC gaming market, so games wise you likely have no worries.

If there's any particularly compelling reason to switch to Vista, it's because of the Microsoft's full court push behind Vista as being the next XP. MS being the dominant player in the PC industry, and Vista being their baby, you would expect Vista to be the PC OS standard in a couple of years. Then again, "you would expect" - i.e. Windows ME. Who knows what will happen in a couple of years, maybe we'll all be Mac users, but given MS's track record and dominant presence, it would be hard to bet against Vista.

(BTW I wouldn't be surprised if I were flamed item for item as to Vista's improvements over XP, this topic has created a lot of heated discussions. IMO Vista's improvements are what they are, and as an actual user I am able to say that yes, these improvements were worth me switching to Vista permanently).

 

Vista really is looking like the next ME to me. We all know that ME was around for a year or so before getting replaced, and while I don't think it will happen that quickly with Vista (if for no reason other than MS having invested a lot into it, whereas ME was sort of a glorified 98 third edition), I don't think Vista will last anywhere near as long as XP. In fact, a month ago back or so there was already an announcement that MS was working on an entirely new windows OS. Also, seeing as how a lot of the "security" innovations in Vista are to prevent you from doing things rather than protect you, I'd stick with XP since you are going to be needing a lot out of your computer as a CS major. Or I'd recommend what I'll be doing once a get a computer without a tiny hard drive, install Linux and windows XP. Use Linux for everyday stuff (yes, it is harder to use, yes it does have a big learning curve, but the payoffs to a poweruser are enormous in the flexibility it brings, which you'll appreciate as a CS major), and then boot up XP for that occasional game.

 

ME = Millenium Edition. That all it was. A name coined on marketing to the change of the millenium. I stayed away from ME because at that time I had the philosophy to wait and see. But now my philosophy is to stick to the latest if my pocket allows me.

DrewN: Another Vista only game is Supreme Commander.

P8ntbala: If you opt for Vista instead of XP, you will save the $ for having to upgrade to Vista, if you later decide to upgrade. Another thing is that you may like to check the notebook return policy on unsatisfaction. I remember my first notebook had this dead pixel right in the middle of the screen and it took some effort to convince them for a brand new screen, despite a dead-pixel policy. My main argument was about customer satisfaction and how it affected me when I was looking at the screen.

Vista compatibility for people looking for a computer: Why not:
1) Check out the Vista compatibility program that Microsoft has made available for download?
2) If you are buying from a store, test the notebook by going to Vista's Performance Ranking Test? It is under the Control Panel. This is one good way of finding out which notebook performs better under Vista.

 

Vista Business and Ultimate include the right to downgrade to XP if you can get a XP disc. Home Premium and Basic do not. So you could get one of those and downgrade to XP until Vista is more sorted out. I personally am waiting for service pack 1 and a free firewall before I consider making the jump.

 

Hmm what do you mean ZaZ? You mean the code you get with your Vista Bus/Ult disk will work with a XP disk?? And that the Home versions wont??? That doesnt sound like MS, they wouldnt want you to have a copy of an XP disk without its own code in the first place.... You will have to elaborate abit more on what you mean and if possible please link the offical documentation that says you have "rights" to downgrade with those versions but not the home versions.

Im moving to Vista 64 on my next machine because the x64 interface is abit faster and I am a power user. Also support for 4gb of ram ^^

I also just like to get into new tech. Vista has alot of stuff under its shell that XP does not have, but for the average user that "just wants it to work" you may want to stay away from Vista for abit. However I think it has come far along enough now to where anybody can use it. All mainstream manufactueres have released drivers now for there hardware to make it work correctly so its not the nightmare it was where nothing worked.

 

ViciousXUSMC - You mentioned about moving to Vista 64. When are we looking at? And do you mean Vista 64 on a notebook? I am slightly worried about how long the battery will last on the 64bit O/S and machine. 4GB ram, sweet.

Anyway, if you get the 64bit Vista + computer before me, do me a favour and post some specs!! I am keen to see how it rockets...

 

Yeah no problem silver. Im eyeing the Asus G1S-A1 or maybe the C90 (but I would honestly probably wait for the C91)

I have a tight budget so its a battle of wits if I will spend 2k for a notebook or not. 2k could build me a top top end desktop that would dominate any game out now and to come for quite awhile...(C90 only 1500$ for an equal or slightly better system but im in need of reviews first)

I know a notebook cant replace a desktop when it comes to gaming or even in performance.. but I also dont want somthing I wont be happy with.


For the record Vista loves 4gb of ram, in a desktop machine games went up from 3-16% in performance with that upgrade. I dont think your battery power will suffer at all with x64 instead of x86... infact thats the first time I have heard anybody mention it.

 

http://blog.techbundle.com/?p=5

 

Supreme Commander runs on XP, I have it installed on my XP system.

 

Microsoft just released Shadowrun which is also apparently Vista exclusive.

 

I like the looks of shadow run, closest thing to jedi knight with a mix of fps/magic in awhile. Didn't know it was vista only...

Thanks for the link, didnt know you gain "down grade" rights with the higher version.

It does say clearly tho you need an xp (pro) copy with a key. If you had a legit key in the first place tho you can just use that.