Vista or XP ?? Which one to go for ?

Hi all,

I am about to buy a laptop, details are -

Dell Inspirion 1520 - Intel Core2 Duo Processor T7250 2.0GHz, 2MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB, Windows Vista Home Basic 32 bit, Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module, 8-in-1 media card reader, Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet,
Internal 56K Modem, Dell Media Direct, 15.4" Widescreen WXGA (1280x800) Display with TrueLife, Ruby Red Color with Microsatin Finish and camera,
2GB (2 X 1024MB) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM.

I have opted for Vista Basic Home 32-bit edition(does not have the AERO interface). Keeping in mind the above processor-RAM config, which OS should I go for? Will Vista be heavy for the above configuration? Will XP be turn out to be a thing that underutilizes the above configuration ?

Also, is Vista OS nothing without the Aero interface? I mean, is there something like 'If you are taking a Vista OS, you must get the AERO interface, else don't go for it?" The Aero Inerface will cost some 40$ more.


Please help me out. I will be placing my order with Dell on 27th Dec'07.

 

If you're not getting Home Premium, you're not really getting Vista.

In the end, the OS doesn't really matter. If you like XP, there's no point to switch, if you like Vista, get Home Premium.

 

What about the heavy/under utilization thing ?

 

So, are you getting a computer to run an operating system, or do you actually want to run real programs?

Vista takes more resources than XP, but if that's all you want to run, any craptastic computer can run it.

 

Well, I think the superfetch feature is worth a shot. I'd load up the RAM and give it a shot if I can..

 

Your dell config is more than enough for vista home premium. Don't get vista basic.

 

Your config looks good to run vista home premium. But i say you go for XP. Much lower resources required. And much better...

 

Well I for one was all set to downgrade Vista Ultimate to XP Pro and had made preparations prior to my machine's arrival. Yet, the more I messed around with Vista Ultimate, the more I liked it. Connection to my remote computer happened with a push of a button, whereas with XP it took some configuration. Sure the permissions got to be very very annoying at the beginning, but I was able to get a handle on them in that rough time. Also, I am a sucker for the Aero interface, whereas most have been most unimpressed. When running Aero, I haven't noticed any strain on the CPU nor RAM. I have experienced just one software incompatibility in the week I've had it so far (Motorola Phone Tools, for which I found a workaround). Installed all of the programs (updated versions) from my old comp to my new one. They all worked. Still, a major reason I haven't yet downgraded to XP is that Vista is...just...so...pretty! The only reason I chose Vista Ultimate in the first place, however, was to take advantage of MS's own Vista to XP downgrade program which they only offer to owners of either Vista Ultimate or Business. So my advice to you is to go with Vista Ultimate 64 bit for the extra 40 bucks, then if you don't like it tell Dell that you have an app that you are using for school/work that will not play with Vista and that you MUST get an XP downgrade disk. From what I have heard, Dell is better in dealing with this than most (which is probably why you are in this dilemma in the first place).
Be aware that there might be some issues if you do decide to downgrade. For instance, if I were to downgrade I would have had to slipstream SATA drivers onto an XP disk before installing XP on my new machine.
Good luck to you on your decision, and Happy Holidays.

 

Bare minimum you should take Vista Premium over Vista basic.

 

So long as you have at least 2gigs of ram, I say go for Home Premium.

Vista got a bad rep when it first came out, and for good reason, but it's always advancing. I've run Home Premium for several months now and have not had any issues with it save for the ones I created myself (by being stupid, thank god for System Restore).

 

The ressource utilisation compared to XP? Well it's bs in my honest opinion. Vista tries to utilise to more RAM / Page file so it gets quicker and the ressource is ready to be freed if needed.

The only reason to go XP is for compatibility or if 5 FPS more is crucial to you

 

I would go for Vista HP

 

Definitely Vista Home Premium, when I shut down Aero on my system I only get a 2-3% drop in memory consumption. If you go with basic you'll be missing out on more than just Aero.