Partition size for Vista on Laptop?

I always partition my laptop HDD into one for OS and Applications and the other for my data (documents, files, music, pictures etc), which are quite large and never stop growing.

For Win XP, I have used 15-20GB partition for OS and applications. This allows me to get the OS, MS Office Suite, all my other app and still be able to rip, copy and burn a DVD all on that partition.

If those requirements took me 15-20GB on Win XP+Office 2003, what size should I allocate for the same with Vista + Office 2007?

 

I would recommend a partition size of 20-30GB for Vista, Office, their updates, future patches, service packs and whatnot.

 

I would suggest 23-28GB, vista itself will take around 10GB

 

Oops, Airman is faster than me

 

I would suggest 25GB.

Matt

 

I did 25GB myself.

 

Like others, 20-30GB should be fine. However, you don't have to install your applications to the same partition as the OS. As long as you tell the OS where to install the applications, Windows will be able to read it. As a matter of fact, back when I was dual-booting XP and Vista, I was able to use some applications that were installed on my XP partition in Vista. AIM and OpenOffice were prime examples. All I did was navigate to the XP partition Program Files directory, go to the folder of the program I wanted to launch, and then find the executable file. I could even add shortcuts of the program to the Vista desktop.

 

QFT. On XP i use a 10GB partition for Windows, and install all my apps on a 50GB partition, then put the storage on the remaining space. I am doing that as well on Vista, but as i mentioned, i did 25GB as a OS drive. For me, it's just an organizational thing.

 

I dont need a fancy setup with OS separate from app. I would simplly be restoring a back up so all that isnt necesarry. OS and apps in same partition is what I do.

I have gone with 27MB on the primary partition to leave enough space for Vista later on if needed - thanks very much folks!