[greycats]

Hi--This fall I'm planning to get my first laptop--probably an HP. I don't intend for it to replace my Dell Dimension desktop, but the idea of a portable workstation has become irrestible. Still, I wonder if using two computers to do the same work might create software issues, particularly if they have different operating systems. I understand from Dell that my Dimension is not upgradeable to Vista. That's OK, but I'd like to try Vista on the laptop. I see from reading the posts that at least a few of you have an XP/Vista combination with your desktop and laptop. So, how's it working out? Should I try it? Or is that asking for trouble? :)

[rgreen4]

I would assume from your post, that you are thinking of some type of network. If that is the case, then I would create a thread under the network forum on networking an XP Desktop and a Vista Laptop.There should be no conflict, the programs will be on different machines. I have a lot more programs on the XP machine than I do the Vista machine. The are connected to a single monitor, keyboard and mouse via a KVM (keyboard,video, mouse) switch. All data is on the network. We can get into more details on the networking in the other thread.

[smax013]

[quote name='greycats']Hi--> > This fall I'm planning to get my first laptop--probably an HP. I don't intend for it to replace my Dell Dimension desktop, but the idea of a portable workstation has become irrestible. Still, I wonder if using two computers to do the same work might create software issues, particularly if they have different operating systems. I understand from Dell that my Dimension is not upgradeable to Vista. That's OK, but I'd like to try Vista on the laptop. I see from reading the posts that at least a few of you have an XP/Vista combination with your desktop and laptop. > > > > So, how's it working out? Should I try it? Or is that asking for trouble? :)As rgreen4 pointed out, it kind of depends on the issues you want to talk about and what you intend to do.In general terms, something that you will have to work out is what type of document control you want to do. If you are going to be doing "work" on both computers, then you need to figure out some sort of document control system so that you don't end up editting the same document on both computers and creating different versions. In other words, you will want some sort of "master location" to store the documents where the "master versions" of you documents are located. You then need to figure out how each of your two computers will access those documents is such a way that you don't overwrite changes to the document made on one computer when you use the other computer and to make sure that you don't end up with multiple versions of the same document. This kind of falls into the area of networking as rgreen4 suggested, unless you want to "schlep" documents between the two computers by flash thumb drive or external hard drive. This can be done with a netword hard drive (i.e. NAS device) or just by sharing documents with the basic file sharing function of Windoze. You might want to also consider using the Briefcase function (or what ever similar function there is in Vista). But, as rgreen4 pointed out, this is likely better addressed by a thread in the networking forum.The other issue that you will have to deal with is application compatibility. In particular, there is the issue of which "flavor" of Office (assuming that you will be using Micro$oft Office) you will use on the new laptop with Vista. If you go to Office 2007, then you will either need to use the same on the XP system or make sure you update the older version of Office on the XP system to be able to read Office 2007 files. I believe Micro$oft has updaters/converters that will allow Office 2003 and Office XP to read Office 2007 files. There could be similar issues with other programs.Overall, you should have no problem with the two computers working together. There just might be some little details to figure out and not all of those little details to figure out will be XP vs. Vista related but just as relavent if you had an XP laptop (i.e. I have to deal with document control issue...that is just a fact of life when using more than one computer).

[rgreen4]

good points xmax013. greycats, if you are using MS Office, the MS Office 2007 Home & Studen edition has a COA that is good for three installations! At Newegg it costs $120 which if you had three machines breaks down to $60 per machine. I have it on my Vista machine and Office 2000 Pro on my XP machine. (Thats what we use in the office thanks to corporate dictates). I have 2007 set by default to save in the 97-2003 file format so all the files are in the same formatt, and then I can also use them in the office or other locations. The 2007 ribbon set up is far different than the 2000/XP/2003 menu structure. After several weeks I have gotten where I can find most of what I'm looking for.

[smax013]

[quote name='rgreen4']good points xmax013. greycats, if you are using MS Office, the MS Office 2007 Home & Studen edition has a COA that is good for three installations! At Newegg it costs $120 which if you had three machines breaks down to $60 per machine. I have it on my Vista machine and Office 2000 Pro on my XP machine. (Thats what we use in the office thanks to corporate dictates). I have 2007 set by default to save in the 97-2003 file format so all the files are in the same formatt, and then I can also use them in the office or other locations. The 2007 ribbon set up is far different than the 2000/XP/2003 menu structure. After several weeks I have gotten where I can find most of what I'm looking for.But do keep in mind that the Home & Student version does NOT come with Outlook. So, if you like Outlook and make use of it, then you will either have to go to one of the other Office "flavors" or buy Outlook seperate (I believe it is available for something like about $90).

[greycats]

[quote name='rgreen4']I would assume from your post, that you are thinking of some type of network. If that is the case, then I would create a thread under the network forum on networking an XP Desktop and a Vista Laptop.> > > > There should be no conflict, the programs will be on different machines. I have a lot more programs on the XP machine than I do the Vista machine. The are connected to a single monitor, keyboard and mouse via a KVM (keyboard,video, mouse) switch. All data is on the network. > > > > We can get into more details on the networking in the other thread.Actually, networking was going to be the next item on my agenda. But, it's going to involve a learning curve for me (can anyone suggest a tutorial?) :?, so I was going to see if there were other alternatives such as "MS's Briefcase" or flash drives or whatever, just in case I don't suceed. (Years ago, I used to teach in one city and live in another one. I had 2 very inexpensive computers which were exactly the same and I carried data back and forth on floppies! ) I'm used to the sort of dodges one has to do in those circumstances--not that I haven't made errors. Still, I'd like to try to set up a network maybe during the next month, so I'll start a thread on that forum tomorrow. Though I didn't anticipate the subject of networking coming up so quickly, I did think about the software. But I wasn't sure whether to post the question here or in the Office forum. Anyway, I do have MS Office Pro 2000, which does include Outlook and Publisher, both of which I use fairly heavily. I also use Word and Excel quite a bit and am beginning to use Access. So, regardless of what happens with the laptop, I intend to get MS Office 2007 on the desktop. I'd already planned an upgrade or a new installation. For the laptop: the Student version of Office 2007 looks really attractive pricewise, but I'd have to buy Publisher separately. And, I'd have to do something about a mail program. (I don't use Access enough for it to be a problem.) I did wonder, though, if Vista could tolerate the 2002 version of Outlook Express which came with MS Works and the Dell Desktop, but which I've never used since I had Office. ( I still have the original CDs.) Any advice on that? :)

[smax013]

[quote name='greycats']> > > > Actually, networking was going to be the next item on my agenda. But, it's going to involve a learning curve for me (can anyone suggest a tutorial?) :?, so I was going to see if there were other alternatives such as "MS's Briefcase" or flash drives or whatever, just in case I don't suceed. (Years ago, I used to teach in one city and live in another one. I had 2 very inexpensive computers which were exactly the same and I carried data back and forth on floppies! ) I'm used to the sort of dodges one has to do in those circumstances--not that I haven't made errors. > > > > Still, I'd like to try to set up a network maybe during the next month, so I'll start a thread on that forum tomorrow. > > > > Though I didn't anticipate the subject of networking coming up so quickly, I did think about the software. But I wasn't sure whether to post the question here or in the Office forum. Anyway, I do have MS Office Pro 2000, which does include Outlook and Publisher, both of which I use fairly heavily. I also use Word and Excel quite a bit and am beginning to use Access. So, regardless of what happens with the laptop, I intend to get MS Office 2007 on the desktop. I'd already planned an upgrade or a new installation. > > > > For the laptop: the Student version of Office 2007 looks really attractive pricewise, but I'd have to buy Publisher separately. And, I'd have to do something about a mail program. (I don't use Access enough for it to be a problem.) I did wonder, though, if Vista could tolerate the 2002 version of Outlook Express which came with MS Works and the Dell Desktop, but which I've never used since I had Office. ( I still have the original CDs.) > > > > Any advice on that? :)I would suggest starting a topic in the Office forum asking your questions. They will be kind of "hidden" in here and might not get as many answers.I will note that Vista does come with a built-in email client. You can learn a little more about it here:[url]http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/mail.mspx_I will keep an eye out for your networking questions...