Buying New PC - XP or Vista?

[Pokee]

I am planning on buying a new PC very soon (anytime between now and
this summer).

I am getting one from Dell, so I have the option of XP or Vista. I
mainly use my PC for e-mail, internet, photo and video editing, and
burning to CD & DVD.

I am curious how people like their new PCs with Vista on it. I am
concerned that there'll be problems with some of my old drivers for my
printer and other peripherals. I am also concerned about bugs in this
first release of Vista that will require major upgrades/problem fixes
in the upcoming months/years.

If Vista is more or less stable, I'll probably go with that. Any info
will help a lot.

Thanks,
Paula

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I am planning on buying a new PC very soon (anytime between now and
this summer).

I am getting one from Dell, so I have the option of XP or Vista. I
mainly use my PC for e-mail, internet, photo and video editing, and
burning to CD & DVD.

I am curious how people like their new PCs with Vista on it. I am
concerned that there'll be problems with some of my old drivers for my
printer and other peripherals. I am also concerned about bugs in this
first release of Vista that will require major upgrades/problem fixes
in the upcoming months/years.

If Vista is more or less stable, I'll probably go with that. Any info
will help a lot.

Thanks,
Paula

Personally, I'm waiting for SP1 before I decide I like Vista. I have heard
very little good of it so far, to be honest. I know several people who
flattened their machines & installed XP Pro, after spending some agonizing
hours with Vista. If you get a PC that can run Vista, you can always upgrade
later. Or, if you get one that comes with Vista, and you have a valid
license for XP, you can decide later what you want to use, and switch as
needed.

 

[You Know Who ~]

I think you have the right to be concerned. If EVERYTHING is new, Vista is
probably fine. but if you plan to use older hardware or software, I would
stick to XP. You know its stable and compatible.

 

[CreateWindow]

Hi Pokee,

Go with XP if you are happy to install good protection from the best Anti
Virus & Anti Spy/Malware people.

Vista is too "glubby" and slow for XP users. The kernel of this Windows
version 6 is excellent - but Shell "pretties" have ruined any sense of
speed. Its secure, but strangely Vista dis-empowers the intelligent user.
Lucky virtual folders never made it to Vista!!

Just MY opinion.

CreateWindow
http://mymessagetaker.com

 

[Ghostrider]

I am planning on buying a new PC very soon (anytime between now and
this summer).

I am getting one from Dell, so I have the option of XP or Vista. I
mainly use my PC for e-mail, internet, photo and video editing, and
burning to CD & DVD.

I am curious how people like their new PCs with Vista on it. I am
concerned that there'll be problems with some of my old drivers for my
printer and other peripherals. I am also concerned about bugs in this
first release of Vista that will require major upgrades/problem fixes
in the upcoming months/years.

If Vista is more or less stable, I'll probably go with that. Any info
will help a lot.

Thanks,
Paula

The limiting factor is going to be what can you do with the computer
right now. That is, does software for photo and video editing and for
CD burning exists for Windows XP or Vista? The issue is moot if their
versions are not ready for Vista. OTOH, if concerns about any infernal
operations of Vista are real, then one should prefer to defer. FWIW, our
policy regarding Windows operating systems has been never to upgrade or
install until SP2 or higher.

 

[Leythos]

I am planning on buying a new PC very soon (anytime between now and
this summer).

I am getting one from Dell, so I have the option of XP or Vista. I
mainly use my PC for e-mail, internet, photo and video editing, and
burning to CD & DVD.

I am curious how people like their new PCs with Vista on it. I am
concerned that there'll be problems with some of my old drivers for my
printer and other peripherals. I am also concerned about bugs in this
first release of Vista that will require major upgrades/problem fixes
in the upcoming months/years.

If Vista is more or less stable, I'll probably go with that. Any info
will help a lot.

Get a Core 2 Duo CPU with 2.x ghz CPU, 2GB RAM, the fastest drive they
have, and one with DEDICATED VIDEO MEMORY. When I checked on a laptop that
would provide a screaming Vista experience (meaning fast) I found one, but
it came to $5,100.

With Vista, considering the resource load is greater than XP, get the
fastest CPU you can afford, at least 2GB RAM, and the fastest dedicated
video card with 512MB RAM you can afford. Anything less and you'll wish
you stuck with XP.

 

[JS]

Go with XP, but buy a PC that meets all the Vista requirements or better
still buy a model that is sold either way (with XP or Vista) and is
identical in its hardware configuration. This way about a year from now
after the bugs are worked out of Vista you can upgrade if you want to.

JS

 

[TOAO]

Hi ... I wouldn't buy anything new at this point , I would get an used xp
computer under $200 , I would wait at least a year or so before getting a
new comp , In my opinion its not worth it for the price


.....

 

[Rock]

I am planning on buying a new PC very soon (anytime between now and
this summer).

I am getting one from Dell, so I have the option of XP or Vista. I
mainly use my PC for e-mail, internet, photo and video editing, and
burning to CD & DVD.

I am curious how people like their new PCs with Vista on it. I am
concerned that there'll be problems with some of my old drivers for my
printer and other peripherals. I am also concerned about bugs in this
first release of Vista that will require major upgrades/problem fixes
in the upcoming months/years.

If Vista is more or less stable, I'll probably go with that. Any info
will help a lot.

Contrary to the naysayers, I like Vista, and it doesn't take a screaming PC
that costs $5100, has a Core 2 Duo and 2 GB of RAM to run well.

I have been running Visa Ultimate on a 5 yr old PC, with a P4 2.53GHz
processor and 1GB RAM. I do use a 2GB flash drive for ReadyBoost and see
some performance gains with that, but even without it, Vista runs just fine
on this older hardware. It was originally set up as a dual boot with XP and
Vista because of driver issue with an older printer, but I worked that out,
so now I almost never boot into XP, just to update it once a month.

That said, if you are going to buy a new computer, purchase for the future,
not for the present. That means get the best performance you can. There is
the top of the line, the best, and then one notch below that. This second
tier is generally the better price deal, more bang for the buck. That's
what I purchased 5 yrs ago and it has lasted this long. I would certainly
get at least a Core 2 Duo and as much RAM as you can afford, 2GB minimum.

The choice of XP or Vista? Well compatibility is an issue. You need to
research the compatibility with Vista for the hardware you have now that
you want to use in the new system. Some might not be compatible. Printers
and scanners are a group that sometimes get's left behind without updated
driver support by the hardware manufacturers. Check on their web sites.
Same with the older software you have. Some will run fine in Vista, some
needs an update, and some won't run at all.

Remember too that Vista is the future, though XP has mainstream support
until April, 2009.

With a new computer I would get Vista, however, you have to decide what is
right for you. If you have a copy of XP, you could get a computer that has
driver support for XP, but comes with Vista preinstalled. Then you could
install XP in a dual boot configuration with Vista, until you get used to
Vista or work out and hardware / software compatibility issues.

Have fun with your new computer no matter which OS you choose.

 

[Philip K.]

He Leythos,
I too am looking to buy a new Dell computer to match my new 10 MPixel
camera.
I use an ancient version of Photoshop (V7) and want to upgrade to CS3.
Questions:
1. Will I do better with a 3.1 ghz single core or with a 2.x dual core.
2. Is there any way to find out other than buying both computers.
Thanks for any information.
Phil

 

[Leythos]

I too am looking to buy a new Dell computer to match my new 10 MPixel
camera.
I use an ancient version of Photoshop (V7) and want to upgrade to
CS3.
Questions:
1. Will I do better with a 3.1 ghz single core or with a 2.x dual core.
2. Is there any way to find out other than buying both computers.
Thanks for any information.

Personally, I find the Core 2 Duo systems to be significantly better
performers than the single core systems.

If I were you, considering PS (and I use 7 also), I would get the 2.x Core
2 Duo CPU processor. Another key thing is to get a FAST Video card, very
fast.

The two limiting factors in Vista are Memory and Video card performance -
2GB RAM, 512MB Video (and make it a fast card), and a mid level Core 2 Duo
2.x ghz CPU will make you happy for a while.

 

[Leythos]

Contrary to the naysayers, I like Vista, and it doesn't take a screaming
PC that costs $5100, has a Core 2 Duo and 2 GB of RAM to run well.

The $5,100 was for a laptop, not a desktop.

I have been running Visa Ultimate on a 5 yr old PC, with a P4 2.53GHz
processor and 1GB RAM. I do use a 2GB flash drive for ReadyBoost and see
some performance gains with that, but even without it, Vista runs just
fine on this older hardware.

But, do you use Photoshop all day long, do you build images all day long?
I would guess that you don't based on your spec, or that you could be a
LOT more productive with better hardware.

I've tried Vista with 1GB RAM, it used 690MB without anything else
installed, with 4GB RAM it used 980MB without anything loaded. Stripping
it down and stopping index/search services didn't make much difference.

Video - hell, I have tried it with 1 year old 256MB and 512MB cards on a
PCIx and AGP8x system and find that video performance is bad in relation
to that of XP. I'm sure that you can find something that works with Vista,
but it's just not something you want to scrimp on.

 

[JS]

Rock has a good point, today's top of line PC is next years mid-range model.
Dual boot or buy and extra drive, remove the drive with Vista and install
the new drive with XP. For the CS3 user, call Adobe and ask if and how much
it will utilize a dual core system.

JS

 

[Rock]

The $5,100 was for a laptop, not a desktop.


But, do you use Photoshop all day long, do you build images all day long?
I would guess that you don't based on your spec, or that you could be a
LOT more productive with better hardware.

I've tried Vista with 1GB RAM, it used 690MB without anything else
installed, with 4GB RAM it used 980MB without anything loaded. Stripping
it down and stopping index/search services didn't make much difference.

Video - hell, I have tried it with 1 year old 256MB and 512MB cards on a
PCIx and AGP8x system and find that video performance is bad in relation
to that of XP. I'm sure that you can find something that works with Vista,
but it's just not something you want to scrimp on.

The point is, what one person needs is not necessarily what works for
another.

 

[Leythos]

The point is, what one person needs is not necessarily what works for
another.

Very true, but then one does not need Vista either, as anyone that doesn't
need the power could get on with XP for several more years.

 

[Rock]

Very true, but then one does not need Vista either, as anyone that doesn't
need the power could get on with XP for several more years.

One may not need a computer either but have one anyway and find uses for it.
One size does not fit all.

 

[Philip K.]

Hi Leythos,
Thanks for the information.
Rumor has it that Adobe CS3 now has an interface similar to Corel's
PhotoPaint -- customizable tool bars and slimmed down tool bar and palettes.
In addition, it supposedly displays a histogram in the tone curves dialog.
If true, it will be the finishing touch for Corel's PhotoPaint. It's sad to
see but that is LIFE.
Phil

 

[Philip K.]

Hi JS,
Talking to Adobe (or Corel) is like talking to the oracle at Delphi.
I have no choice except to upgrade. I just bought a 10 Mpixel camera.
That means an image opens at about 30 MPixels. With a few layers, I will be
over 100 MPixels. Supposedly, that requires 300 MBytes of working RAM.
That finishes off my P3, 733 MHz, 512 MByte computer. It now belongs to the
grandchildren. My only decisions are which computer and components to buy
for the money that I can afford.
Phil

 

[Philip K.]

Hi Paula,
I have just worked out a brilliant solution to the Vista/XP quandary.
I will get a new computer with Vista AND keep the old one with XP. I just
have to find another 20 inches of tabletop in our bed room. It's not quite
as bad as keeping an old car when getting a new one as I once did.
Phil

 

[Dave]

I am planning on buying a new PC very soon (anytime between now and
this summer).

I am getting one from Dell, so I have the option of XP or Vista. I
mainly use my PC for e-mail, internet, photo and video editing, and
burning to CD & DVD.

I am curious how people like their new PCs with Vista on it. I am
concerned that there'll be problems with some of my old drivers for my
printer and other peripherals. I am also concerned about bugs in this
first release of Vista that will require major upgrades/problem fixes
in the upcoming months/years.

If Vista is more or less stable, I'll probably go with that. Any info
will help a lot.

Thanks,
Paula

Don't Vista. Don't buy any PC to preclude loading Vista in the future.

Reason: In the learning cycle for a new OS (software) awaiting updates and
so forth. Today's fastest PC (hardware) today will be tomorrow's low end
economy box. Same box a year from now will be relatively inexpensive. Let
the OS and the PC market mature, then spring for a new one.

This cycle has happened with all versions of windows since windows 95.