Windows XP vs. Vista Options

[lilcases]

I'm thinking about upgrading to Vista, but is Vista really better then XP?

This post has been edited by lilcases: Jul 3 2007, 06:17 AM

[Takeru-kun]

Vista is, in almost every way possible, technologically and fundamentally superior to XP. However, like anything in this world that gives you choices, I think that Vista should be purchased depending on your needs. However, certain situations make it near impossible to upgrade, whilst others make it imperative.

Here's what I think, in list form for your convenience. Anything with a star is a mandatory reason, meaning if you fulfill this requirement, DO AS IS SAID.

Don't buy Vista if...

• ...your computer sucks (Vista uses almost 3 times as much memory and CPU to run compared to XP).*
• ...you don't own the computer you plan to upgrade. Unless the actual owners, for instance, your parents, are perfectly okay with it, or you know what you're doing, do not change the OS.*
• ...you're an idiot and feel like wasting money on Home Basic (which isn't nearly different enough from XP to warrant $200; trust me on this).*
• ...you're perfectly content with XP.
• ...XP never crashes (Haha... yeah right).

Buy Vista if...

• ...you're planning on buying a brand new computer.*
• ...you have a GeForce 8 card (if you have one and you haven't bought Vista yet, you're either severely lacking funds or extremely mental. Or both).*
• ...XP crashes a lot, or is riddled with bugs, virii, and spyware.
• ...you have $250 or more and don't know what to do with it.
• ...your current computer is nice and fast (meaning 2+ GB RAM, 40+ GB HDD, and 2.0+ GHz processor).
• ...you've always loved the fluid interface of Mac OS X.
• ...you're a hardcore gamer.
• ...you think Luna looks disgusting (I do).

If you're a Mac user...

• Forget it. Most likely you're too much of a close-minded fanboy who thinks Mac is better simply because you use it. However, if you're not that, then don't anyways. Most likely you have good reason to use a Mac over a PC and it would defeat the purpose if you switched to Windows. Besides, it wouldn't be worth the upgrade; Windows runs horribly on Mac.

In almost every scenario, I'd upgrade to Vista. If Home Basic were less than $100 USD, I'd also recommend that to XP users under any circumstance. But alas, it isn't, so therefore, it is a complete ripoff.

But I'm glad to finally see a thread where the majority opinion is in favor of Vista. Most of the other forums have threads like this that eventually boil down into Vista-bashing. But then again, most of the forums I go to are filled with idiots.

This post has been edited by Takeru-kun: Jul 5 2007, 07:10 AM

[zesler]

Buy Vista if...

• ...XP crashes a lot, or is riddled with bugs, virii, and spyware.
• ...your current computer is nice and fast (meaning 2+ GB RAM, 40+ GB HDD, and 2.0+ GHz processor).
• ...you're a hardcore gamer.
• ...you think Luna looks disgusting (I do).

Although I shouldn't argue, I will anyway in this case. Wouldn't you just use parallel or any similar program and use both(for anyone like hardcore gamers who want to use it all?)? You get both benefits and should one crash you can always use the other. *points to Mac/PC friend with Parallel*.

Doesn't any Window crash a lot? The only one I use that doesn't crash often, rarely actually, is Windows 98.
My computer is fast enough to support it.

The other comment is that since Windows Vista uses almost 3 times as much memory and CPU to run compared to XP wouldn't hardcore gamers stay with XP because they want as much FPS as they can get?

Also, although this is old news, its better to just buy a new computer, rather than upgrading it. There are weird glitches should you upgrade... forgot the list.

Luna?

By this point I'll just use the all windows program and run it all.... -_-

This post has been edited by zesler: Jul 5 2007, 02:55 PM

[Takeru-kun]

Although I shouldn't argue, you make some good points, so I will anyway.

Wouldn't you just use parallel or any similar program and use both(for anyone like hardcore gamers who want to use it all?)? You get both benefits and should one crash you can always use the other. *points to Mac/PC friend with Parallel*.

For starters, paralleling OS's isn't always an option. Focusing on Mac in particular, Mac OS X can't be run on a PC, or vice versa, without serious tweaking and lots of third-parties, which in the end make it a relentlessly glitchy experience. Then there are some people don't have nearly enough space to run two OS's at the same time, or would at least like as much available room as possible on their hard drive. Also, it's an inconvenience if one would have to switch between two OS's just to operate, an experience made worse by Vista's horrendously long boot time (2-5 minutes on a clean install). For those who can deal with it, I guess it isn't that big of a deal, but for most, it's an inconvenience. I mean... heck. I do it.

Doesn't any Window crash a lot? The only one I use that doesn't crash often, rarely actually, is Windows 98.
My computer is fast enough to support it.

Well, it's true that any Windows, and any operating system in general, will crash a lot. It's just that Vista does a helluva lot less crashing than older versions. I'm running Ultimate, and I barely if ever crash.

The other comment is that since Windows Vista uses almost 3 times as much memory and CPU to run compared to XP wouldn't hardcore gamers stay with XP because they want as much FPS as they can get?

Potentially, yes. That depends on how much memory the game uses, and how much memory you have. For someone who has a lot of memory, it wouldn't matter at all, because there wouldn't be any difference (I have 2GB RAM and have had no problems). The killer is that the new Direct3D 10 API is exclusive to Vista, making it a must-have for anyone who wants to squeeze the most graphic potential out of their games.

Also, although this is old news, its better to just buy a new computer, rather than upgrading it. There are weird glitches should you upgrade... forgot the list.

This is very true, and I forgot to add that to my "Do Not Buy" list. It's risky business if you try doing an upgrade from XP, which is why I highly recommend a reformat and a clean install. Most people wouldn't like reformatting their computer though.

Luna?

Bleh. (<-- That's a link. Click it. I always wondered why this forum system never colored links.)

This post has been edited by Takeru-kun: Jul 6 2007, 12:40 AM

[zesler]

I'll continue shall we?

For starters, paralleling OS's isn't always an option. Focusing on Mac in particular, Mac OS X can't be run on a PC, or vice versa, without serious tweaking and lots of third-parties, which in the end make it a relentlessly glitchy experience. Then there are some people don't have nearly enough space to run two OS's at the same time, or would at least like as much available room as possible on their hard drive. Also, it's an inconvenience if one would have to switch between two OS's just to operate, an experience made worse by Vista's horrendously long boot time (2-5 minutes on a clean install). For those who can deal with it, I guess it isn't that big of a deal, but for most, it's an inconvenience. I mean... heck. I do it.

Hard Drives are not expensive... a little of $100 for 500GB hard drive is not expensive. Also, it doesn't take that much to switch. My friend runs it in an explorer window with a separate process. I see Macs doing it often. Although it does cost money to get the said OS $50~150 and software if needed $50~150 again, its often better because should it fail in one OS switch it. Furthermore, my giant computer I'm visiting sells the "Complete Windows Pack" where it allows you to run any and all windows , 3.1 NT, etc. Space 2GB. No format required and runs off additional windows created.

Well, it's true that any Windows, and any operating system in general, will crash a lot. It's just that Vista does a helluva lot less crashing than older versions. I'm running Ultimate, and I barely if ever crash.

Everything crashes. Thats how it goes. Its not perfect. It also depends on how you use the computer. The same also applies with me. It just about never crashes and even if I shut it off in the middle of something. I can boot it and it still works with no problems. Can't say no to that when you don't have a UPS.

Only question, did your computer come with Ultimate or did you have to buy it and upgrade it.

This post has been edited by zesler: Jul 6 2007, 02:35 AM