Vista or XP ...

I'm puzzled about people buy lappies with XP downgrades and dizzing Vista. When Lenovo started shipping Thinkpads with XP preinstalled and no Vista disks there was an uproar about the missing Vista disks. I thought if you wanted XP then why cry about the missing Vista disks?

 

Because its nice to know you can upgrade once SP2 comes out for example.

A lot of Vista criticism stems from "basic Vista" - SP1 resolved a few/many issues. Some people still get annoed by bits here and there, but overall, Vista SP1 is perfectly fine. Now once SP2 comes out it should be near perfect - as XP SP2 was in its time. That's when your Vista Dissc would come in handy - just instal Vista SP2. Also: How will compatebility be between Windows 7 and XP and Vista?

 

I'd go vista, the so call vista problems are more or less minor frustrations and most of the have been fixed in sp1 and since sp2 is about ot come out everything should be fine. plus you cant get DX10 anywhere if gaming is of any concern

 

I thought the XP downgrade was one way that is once you downgraded you can't upgrade to Vista without buying a new license. But if it goes both ways then i can understand the fuss when the Vista dvd is missing.

Does anyone know if the Vista to XP downgrade is one way or can you upgrade to Vista again after the downgrade?

 

I can't see why you would loose the right to a Vista copy on a laptop if it shipped with Vista & XP downgrade and you downgraded to XP.

If you buy a laptop with Vista & XP downgrade you can go back and forth as far as I'm aware, whatever suits your needs.

If you buy a laptop with Vista & no downgrade - you're stuck with Vista unless you can buy an XP disc.

If your laptop shipped with XP and no Vista you only get XP. its also cheaper than Vista as far as I'm aware.

That's how I see it - unless anybody has contradicting information.

 

Its both ways. Check out Dells page on this http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/ap/topics/microsite/en/vista_xp_transistion?c=au&cs=aubsd1&l=en&s=bsd

But I believe after June or July 09 you won't even be able to exercise downgrade rights. I've also heard people getting a pre installed XP machine with the vista disc and no XP backup disc. Just make sure they include both when you buy. Basically its getting hard to get XP. Its generally only offered on business systems that generally cost more or from local system builders. At this point, I recommend caving in to MS and going with Vista or wait until seven comes out. I am already seeing compatibility issues with one of my programs not working properly under XP and it works fine in Vista. This trend will just continue with time where XP support will be less and less with software. MS says seven will be backwards compatible with vista so that would seem the safest route to go long term.

The sad truth is we never have a choice with MS in the long run. If you choose to use windows you will eventually realize that MS will win and you will have to change to the newer OS. They will always have support with their partners in software/hardware and thus will always make older OS's absolete over time. The only choice we have is to leave the platform. But I think positive change will come about since many did do just that when sales of pre build linux systems emerged and apple's notebook market share grew considerably. I think seven will show that MS is indeed concerned about the debacle called vista.

 

XP is good and work with most programs but it has some security problems making malware easier to install itself and running as a normal user is a pain. Vista is made so you can run as a normal user and it has the most dreaded uac stopping most malware. Vista also got bad rep from Microsoft allowing Intel to get the Vista capable branding on hardware definitely not suited to run Vista. But i agree that Vista pre SP1 was byggy and not fun to use.

 

vista ultimate sp 1 is best os.

 

Different market segments - one of the hazards of trying to please everyone with a single product (think Muzak).

On top of which, Microsoft doesn't license XP to the OEMs as a stand-alone product anymore, and only offers the Vista-with-downgrade-package for licensing on business models, so people who want a new brand-name system with XP don't have much choice in the matter.

 

Even Vista is vulnerable to malware.
Running a separate protection program like Nod32 produced excellent results for me while using XP (didn't have issues of any kind).
Same goes for Vista.
If a 'normal user' has no understanding of a/v software and doesn't install it then you can bet that their OS (XP or Vista) will become infected sooner or later.

Primary objection to Vista is incompatibility with older software that is a necessity to some people.
Not to mention the fact that XP flies on new computers, while Vista ... well, it's virtually the same in terms of performance (however the saddest thing is that it needs 4x more hardware power than XP in order to get to it's levels).

 

Vista Business SP1 is the best OS (looking at Vista)

This is a effectively useless post.

Which version is best for you depends on your needs.

I have Vista Business on my laptop and it is perfect for me, also because I don't need some of the, ehm, junk on Ultimate.

I have no use for the games for example, and I don't need the Media Center.
And drive encryption? What for?

Everybody has different needs - in fact, I suspect most people will be perfectly happy with either Home Premium or Business.

 

vista ultimate or home premium, doesnt matter is hands down the best. forget the XP fanboys, vista has matured so much since its release that its just so much better.

when i see a computer with xp i just think, wow this is so old and ugly looking, icons so washed out, always hated that.

vista all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Unless I'm mistaken ... XP can be made to look like Vista without any extra resource use.
And Vista's look isn't really that fetching either.
there are various themes for OS'es that improve their looks compared to the stock one.