Windows XP or Vista for my new computer?

[u1arunit]

I am in the process of ordering a new home desktop computer system. I have four questions.

1) Is Vista as bad as they say it is?

2) Will Vista work and play nice with the rest of my networked computers?

3) If I get XP Pro will updates be gone soon so I will be left with an operating system that is not supported?

4) Will most of my current programs still work if I chose Vista and if so/not is there a place that I can find a program to check compatibility of what I use before I choose one?

Thanks in advance guys and gals!

[thehill63]

I honestly love vista. There are some problems with it. But i kinda know my way around computers so ive fixed most of the stuff on my box. Currently XP w/SP3 is a little faster than vista tho atm. + XP runs off less memory, making that better in the beginning. As long as your computer is built with a good enough proc and enough memory it should run vista fine. Oh and i havent run into any programs that i use not working with vista.

Oh and yes about the networking. Vista was made to be able to work with other windows computers. You can file share with macs too, but you could do that on xp.

To check to see if programs work, they usually say that on the manufacterers site.

[molnartr]

I have Vista on my laptop and I love it, I have not had any issues yet.

[SonofaBish]

I think i've heard that there is an SP1 for vista now, which should work out many of the bugs.... however, i have had bad luck with it on my parents computer.... As long as you can use ur 'noggin' and make ur way around, vista should be fine... but if someone is going to be using the computer that is poor with computers, don't get it!!!!!!! I get 8 billion calls a day from my mother asking questions... I know how to look around and make my way around Vista, but i dont have it myself, so i can't tell you click by click wihtout looking at the screen (the way i can with XP).... it drives me nutz!

[Mitternacht]

I am in the process of ordering a new home desktop computer system. I have four questions.

1) Is Vista as bad as they say it is?

2) Will Vista work and play nice with the rest of my networked computers?

3) If I get XP Pro will updates be gone soon so I will be left with an operating system that is not supported?

4) Will most of my current programs still work if I chose Vista and if so/not is there a place that I can find a program to check compatibility of what I use before I choose one?

Thanks in advance guys and gals!
1. It's ok, not bad not great.
2. I have a hell of a time connecting to a wireless network, and it shuts my internet card off randomly.
3. I don't see XP dying soon. Hell, they're making a Service Pack 3 for it.
4. Vista is just about 100% backwards compatible with XP exe files and programs, so I doubt any of your issues will be there if you go with Vista.

[u1arunit]

Cool thanks for all the replies!

Anyone else have anything else to add?

[thehill63]

Vista did have alot of problems originally with alot of laptop wireless cards. But as long as youve been updating you should be fine. And your getting a desktop so it shouldnt matter. I have a wireless card in my comp, and i havent had it drop almost at all.

And mitt, sp3 been out for about a little over a month now, the beta copy has been out for a while.

[Wolfpack Speed]

I just bought a new lap for the shop, it has vista. So far so good, I actually like it better than the xp laptop at home. All microsoft computers are going to have many issues imo, whish I wasn't in a pinch and had the money for a new mac, never should have got rid of my old one years ago:rolleyes:

[SAC81]

My opinions (as a Network Security Specialist with a couple certs, including MCSA):

Vista sucks for computer-savvy folks. It's great for home use.

XP is better for computer-savvy folks. For regular home uses, it is easier to **** something up with XP than with Vista.

I had Vista Home Premium on my home PC (3 GB memory, 8400 series AMD proc, 8200 NVIDIA VC) and it sucked really, really bad for me- I didn't have near the granular control of the system that XP Pro gives right out of the box, it was running much slower than it does now with XP, and Call of Duty 4 would NOT work, period. I yanked it off, slapped XP Pro on it and am way happier.

[u1arunit]

Thanks for the reply. I am probably going with XP Pro. :awsome:

[SAC81]

Cool, smart choice!

[BoneCrusher]

XP home is only available till Wednesday right? Will we still be able to get XP Pro after the 18th?

[SAC81]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/future.mspx

Yep, June 30 is the last day to buy it from Microsoft.

It will be supported until 2014.

[u1arunit]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/future.mspx

Yep, June 30 is the last day to buy it from Microsoft.

It will be supported until 2014.

Thanks I owe ya a beer man!

[BoneCrusher]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/future.mspx

Yep, June 30 is the last day to buy it from Microsoft.

It will be supported until 2014.

Sorry do you mean June 30th for XP Home or XP Pro? Thanks man.

Edit: Just read the link again and answered my own question. Is there a end date for Pro? All it said is I can downgrade to XP Pro for my business PC's.

[SAC81]

Is there a end date for Pro? All it said is I can downgrade to XP Pro for my business PC's.


The end of sales date on June 30, and the end of support date in 2014, are for both XP Pro and XP Home. If you're looking to go XP, always go with "Pro" though.

[badf250]

I built my PC last year (1st time building my own) and I used XP Pro. I was as told at the time that Vista wouldn't support any of my programs or printers.

[eddmann55]

Thanks for the reply. I am probably going with XP Pro. :awsome:


stick with xp they say the bugs are worked out, but some programs still wont run with vista. My opinion xp is great, especially if you are networking