Vista, XP Pro or XP x64 Pro... that is the question!

[Guest]

hi!

I'm a web and graphic deisgner who's been "getting by" with XP Home now for
a long time but as I already have a 64-bit laptop, I'm thinking I made the
leap to something more powerful... especially as I've just set up a server
with domain control that XP Home can't log-in to!

Thing is, I'm wondering what to go for... get an OEM XP x64 Pro, wait for
Vista x64 (when is vista due for general release by the way? and why is it
taking so long for XP x64 Pro to go retail?) or just upgrade to XP Pro.

If someone could let me know the advantages.disadvantages, costs, wait
times, reliability etc. I'd be very grateful. Thanks

My laptop is:

Compaq R3479ea
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ 2.2Ghz Processor
80GB HDD
512Mb Ram (soon to be 1GB)
NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go 64M

 

[--Alias--]

hi!

I'm a web and graphic deisgner who's been "getting by" with XP Home now for
a long time but as I already have a 64-bit laptop, I'm thinking I made the
leap to something more powerful... especially as I've just set up a server
with domain control that XP Home can't log-in to!

Thing is, I'm wondering what to go for... get an OEM XP x64 Pro, wait for
Vista x64 (when is vista due for general release by the way? and why is it
taking so long for XP x64 Pro to go retail?) or just upgrade to XP Pro.

If someone could let me know the advantages.disadvantages, costs, wait
times, reliability etc. I'd be very grateful. Thanks

My laptop is:

Compaq R3479ea
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ 2.2Ghz Processor
80GB HDD
512Mb Ram (soon to be 1GB)
NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go 64M

If you're into graphics, maybe a new video card might be worth the
investment. Say, at least 256MB.

Alias

 

[Guest]

And by the way, my main Apps are: Adobe Creative Suite CS2, Dreamweaver MX
2004, Flash 8, Office XP, Fireworks MX 2004.

I have a seperate desktop PC I'm gonna keep on 32-bit Xp, so i'll use that
for anything I can't get 64bit drvers for in the meantime.

 

[Bob I]

So, what 64 bit applications are you going to buy, that is the question!

 

[Guest]

Thing is, I'm wondering what to go for... get an OEM XP x64 Pro, wait for
Vista x64 (when is vista due for general release by the way? and why is it
taking so long for XP x64 Pro to go retail?) or just upgrade to XP Pro.

WinXP Pro x64 has been on retail for the longest time. Perhaps 1.5 - 2
years?

 

[arachnid]

hi!

I'm a web and graphic deisgner who's been "getting by" with XP Home now for
a long time but as I already have a 64-bit laptop, I'm thinking I made the
leap to something more powerful... especially as I've just set up a server
with domain control that XP Home can't log-in to!

Before investing in 64-bit Windows you might want to see if the
applications you use are available in 64-bit versions. You probably won't
see many 64-bit apps until after Vista is released, and heaven only knows
when that will be. Linux users have been running pure 64-bit systems
for years so I don't know what's taking the Windows application vendors so
long to get with the act. All it takes is a recompile with a good
optimizing compiler.

Also beware that OEM versions are locked to the first machine you install
them on. If you buy 64-bit OEM Windows and get a new system in a year or
two, you can't legally transfer your OEM Windows purchase to the new
system.

If you want more speed, you'd be better-served by investing in faster
hardware.

 

[--Alias--]

Also beware that OEM versions are locked to the first machine you install
them on. If you buy 64-bit OEM Windows and get a new system in a year or
two, you can't legally transfer your OEM Windows purchase to the new
system.

You can upgrade your hardware on the original machine to your heart's
content, though ;-)

If you want more speed, you'd be better-served by investing in faster
hardware.

When I upgraded my computer's video card, sound card, processor,
motherboard and RAM, running generic OEM XPPro, it was much faster.

Alias

 

[Winux P]

You will need a lot more RAM on your graphics card to get Vista's proposed
functionality. It seems Vista will still be in it's drawing board phase upon
release. I'm not saying that in sarcasm nor cynicism. Haven't tried it
(Vista) out myself as it's in Beta, but Vista spins the fan on a NVIDIA
GeForce 7800GT beyond that of a Black Hawke Helicopter in pursuit. Just
remarking in terms of the Graphics card you have.

I don't know if your laptop shares the system RAM with the graphics card,
but you will need more RAM on both to get Vista's full Monty. Vista Beta 2
is being labelled as WinXP SP3 (which is not out yet either), as some of the
new fantastic functionality and new design has been dropped by MS, mainly
cause they couldn't get it working.

In terms of logging on to a Domain, Vista's UAC (User Account Control) is
far more annoying that than botrot, as one is overwhelmed with dialogbox
confirmation, it is a feature you can turn off though.

Enough of that, mean while back at the ranch, in terms of price WinXP Pro 32
bit Retail costs around $AUD 460.00, OEM equivalent $AUD 190.00. Don't know
about the cost of x64 OEM, can only imagine the cost of x64 Retail if it was
released.

Reliability, not saying whether XP is reliable or not, but it would be safe,
and even wise to assume XP would be far more reliable that Vista when it's
released.

Hope this sheds some light for you.

Regards,
- Winux P


: hi!
:
: I'm a web and graphic deisgner who's been "getting by" with XP Home now
for
: a long time but as I already have a 64-bit laptop, I'm thinking I made the
: leap to something more powerful... especially as I've just set up a server
: with domain control that XP Home can't log-in to!
:
: Thing is, I'm wondering what to go for... get an OEM XP x64 Pro, wait for
: Vista x64 (when is vista due for general release by the way? and why is it
: taking so long for XP x64 Pro to go retail?) or just upgrade to XP Pro.
:
: If someone could let me know the advantages.disadvantages, costs, wait
: times, reliability etc. I'd be very grateful. Thanks
:
: My laptop is:
:
: Compaq R3479ea
: AMD Athlon 64 3400+ 2.2Ghz Processor
: 80GB HDD
: 512Mb Ram (soon to be 1GB)
: NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go 64M

 

[Guest]

Maff,

From what I understand, Vista will have more security features and will
incorporate most, if not all, of the Media Center Edition features into the
OS. This is an advantage for some TV tuner cards that require MCE to function
properly. Actually, some TV tuner cards require MCE as a minimum. Still, you
need a compatable system that can handle the OS.

XP Pro x64 (and probably any 64(vista) also has some advantages with
security and and many advantages with processing. Apparently, the OS is
currently immune to rootkits. Those rootkit developers are an intelligent and
innovative bunch though and may begin creating rootkits if 64 bit OS ever go
mainstream. Some people are having difficulty finding drivers and software
for XP Pro 64 since the OS is not mainstream. Still, the WOW32 will allow 32
bit programs to run in most cases. The procedure just isn't as seemless as XP
Pro since there is greater compatability. Once you get all the correct
drivers installed, the OS is suppose to work pretty well.

XP pro is great but you have to be careful about the default security
settings. In my opinion, the default settings leaves the computer open for
attacks. As a designer, you probably have good insight into security. Still,
you may benefit from some of the XP pro security templates in the mmc snap-in
console. Even if you don't use the security templates, which are better than
the default "Set-up" security template, it is good to know how to use the mmc
snap-in because it also has a default "set-up" template that can be imported
if your cutom changes don't work well. In addition, one can analyze their
custom security settings and compare them with the database template settings
and see how theirs match up with the pre designed. In addition, the XP Pro
versions will allow you to create IPSec or other "hand shake" communications.

I am not sure how much Vista will cost.
XP Pro Upgrade: ~ $200, Complete: ~ $400

XP Pro x64 will cost about $130 from OEM distributers. Mwave.com is one
possible site. I would suggest using the online order form. I have heard one
can find XP Pro complete (not Upgrade) for abot $100 on OEM sites.

As you probably know, many OEM sites require you to but a hardware component
to be purchased with the OEM OS. In addition, the OEM software does not
include Microsoft Tech support if you need any advice. They do have their own
Tech support.... Currently, XP Pro x64 can only be purchased via OEMs.

Hope that helped.

 

[Guest]

Maff,

Also, I would suggest that you NEVER include information about your machine.
Even if asked for that info. Why? It makes a hackers job that much easier if
they need someone to practice on. The footprinting is easy for them.
Especially if they can go to compaq website and discover the default
Applications and drivers on a system such as yours.

Just some advice. I will probably be hacked for saying that.\

 

[Charlie Tame]

Maff,

Also, I would suggest that you NEVER include information about your
machine.
Even if asked for that info. Why? It makes a hackers job that much easier
if
they need someone to practice on. The footprinting is easy for them.
Especially if they can go to compaq website and discover the default
Applications and drivers on a system such as yours.

Just some advice. I will probably be hacked for saying that.\

Please explain how one might easily hack the OP's machine on the basis of
the hardware he has?

How is anyone going to advise him if they don't know what the hardware is?

If the OP had said "I have a computer, what operating system shall I choose"
what would you have told him?

What do you mean you "will probably be Hacked" for saying that? I'd have
thought your obviously advanced knowledge of hacking practices would protect
you well enough

 

[Charlie Tame]

hi!

I'm a web and graphic deisgner who's been "getting by" with XP Home now
for
a long time but as I already have a 64-bit laptop, I'm thinking I made the
leap to something more powerful... especially as I've just set up a server
with domain control that XP Home can't log-in to!

Thing is, I'm wondering what to go for... get an OEM XP x64 Pro, wait for
Vista x64 (when is vista due for general release by the way? and why is it
taking so long for XP x64 Pro to go retail?) or just upgrade to XP Pro.

If someone could let me know the advantages.disadvantages, costs, wait
times, reliability etc. I'd be very grateful. Thanks

My laptop is:

Compaq R3479ea
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ 2.2Ghz Processor
80GB HDD
512Mb Ram (soon to be 1GB)
NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go 64M

The good thing about XP Pro is that the drivers for most machines are easy
to find and even if not many W2000 or others will work. You obviously have a
fairly new machine so that should not be a problem but I would check
carefully for such things before lashing out on a 64 bit OS. Also factor in
the cost of new versions of the software you like best, you could also lose
money if you have to learn some different software.

At this time I can't recommend experimenting on a production machine with
either x64 XP or waiting for Vista which may be subject to a lot of patches
first like XP was before SP1. You know XP Pro will work, you don't know for
sure about the others, and then SP2 almost rewrote everything so patience
may be the thing with Vista. Also XP Pro will get along with existing
hardware, which with a laptop is a major headache if you get driver
problems. More memory will definitely help, as will better networking. I
would consider waiting until Vista is out and then decide if you want to buy
a new machine - that way you can get an OEM deal with it already installed
and know that the hardware can stand it. Besides that there are supposed to
be several versions of Vista and with these things it's sometimes better to
choose based on practical experiences of other users before jumping

Charlie

 

[Guest]

Hello Charlie,

Where have I claimed to have expert knowledge in hacking?

Although I made the "I will probably be hacked" remark in jest, your
response kind of proved my point. Just suggesting such a thing seems to drive
a person MAD.

Anyhow, you probably know that certain programs, like software firewalls,
may have security breaches. The same is true with the type of OS. When a
hacker footprints and researches a potential victim, they may use a tool like
NMAP to discover what type of OS is on the machine. They do this so the can
use specific code to exploit the machines vunerable points. If it is XP Pro,
the person will know that the defaut "Administrator" account has a ""
password. In addition, certain ports and programs will be listening by
default (NETBIOS) , etc... If they know the model of the computer, a great
deal of information can be obtained from the website. Will it be enough to
pull off an attack? No. Will it help? Yes.

This is the reason security experts, which I am not one, will suggest
person be VERY careful about supplying info. They've sited cases where
employees have gone to tech sites and listed the model of their hardware
firewall and included info regarding specific software to enlist the help of
"technical experts". Interestingly, hackers will also use these sites to
discover victims. In addition to discovering info about the machine, they get
first hand knowledge regarding the technical proficiency of the person
setting up the machine.

Maybe I was a bit over the top. It is true that one has to state their OS if
asking for help about an OS. Maff wasn't asking for specific help on solving
a problem and this is why I suggested that Maff not include info. By the way,
security specialist also feel that it will not be long before rootkit
developers creat code to compromise a persons BIOS. In most cases, the type
of BIOS included with a specific model can usually be discovered via the
manufactures website also.

Thanks for the reply and I am sorry if I offended you.

I am a novice with computers...Just better to be safe instead of sorry.

 

[Dan]

<snip>

A nice thing about being able to build your own computer is that you get
to choose your own parts and then do not fall under a particular label.
You can then choose what you want and what is best suited for your needs.

 

[QuidnuncSimcha]

Dan,

your email address alone scares me.

I see your point

 

[Ed]

I have vista on my laptop and was very unhappy with it until I downloaded
SP1, which has fixed all the problems I was seeing. I am using Vista business
and it is mostly fast enough.

The problem is any X64 opsys is that there are going to be some drivers, or
applications that will simply not work on it, and we found that on a x64
laptop that just would not work with some of our equipment (USB2 based
logging thermometers) because the drivers would not operate on the system.
That may be an issue for you using high graphical programs, trying to use
devices that may only have x32 drivers.

We had problems using Alibre and Solidworks on Vista (mostly vista issues),
but found that using XP Pro with a good amount of memory (3GB plus) we did
not have problems after that.