[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Windows XP vs. Vista: An Explosion of Opinion here

[avlis]

I am a web designer and I have tried windows Vista on my brother's new laptop. After checking the new OS I have to say that they (Microsoft) put a lot of effort on the interface and some few things. It really looks nice. But after long consideration I have reach to the conclusion that why should I change to this new OS. There are no great new improvements. The web pages still look the same. My programs run the same way. And finally if you put them side by side (same hardware) XP is by far the winner, faster and still (more or less) reliable. So why to spend more money in better hardware just to get the same performance that I have with XP today?

[snorg]

I like Ubuntu, I think its great.
BUT I am a gamer, since Ubuntu cant play the games I play on XP, Ubuntu is not suitable for me.

[eMJay]

I've used Xp since its release and was generally dissatified with it's performance until SP2 was made available. I've put Vista on my newest machine that i assembled last year. To be honest, Vista reminds me of my ex-girlfriend - cute, but a terrible resource hog. The operational speed of that machine is not much faster than the one it replaced (the older one dual boots XP and Mandriva Linux) despite having a faster processor and 3x more ram! Hopefully i'll see improvements when i patch it with SP1 this weekend...it's too bad girls don't come with patches!

[Defoe1709]

Although I am writing this on an XP machine, I have built a couple of Vista boxes and like the OS very much. It boots quickly with 2 GBs of DDR2 800, shuts down quickly, includes Media Center, and takes care of the user (and a lot of users need that). If one builds with new parts, compatibility is unlikely to be an issue. Some of the complaints in the article seem to arise from underpowered machines (the fault of manufacturers trying to make a buck on memory upgrades, perhaps). Finally, I don't think MS will continue to support XP, as good as it has become, because (1) too many people, by whatever means, have a valid copy of XP and (2) Vista, as other new MS operating systems did, will boost hardware sales (certainly an example of software and hardware working well together).

[HealthNut]

This does seem very reminiscent of the Win 2000 vs XP debate a few years back. At work we use XP because we don't need the advanced resources that Vista puts out there (and why would you when 512MB RAM runs all the business apps).


My parents were my first guinea pigs for Vista, and you know, they were able to figure it out and do more with this OS than on any previously (going back to Windows 95), and the best part is that I wasn't on the phone for hours walking them through things. The fact that Vista seems to be that intuitive for average people says something, in my opinion. I held out longer for my laptop at home, but finally took the plunge with Vista Home Premium and the first thing I noticed was that Vista seamlessly networked with my Ubuntu box without any poking and prodding. I've NEVER had a Windows networking experience work so well. Then, of course, there's the fact that my scanner now only works with the Ubuntu box since there aren't Vista drivers for it, but that's not really MS's fault (Canon, on the other hand....come on).

I think that the one thing I wish Vista could do is create a shell to run drivers for XP if there aren't any Vista drivers available. If I could run my scanner in "XP mode" that would be great (and cut down on all the "I don't have any drivers!" complaints, I should think).

My computer just installed SP1 last night, so now we'll see how things go. It does seem RAM usage is down slightly, but I just need more time to run it through its paces. All in all, Vista seems fairly solid, at least for home use.

[Bregt]

If XP is so secure then why does it need a antivirus? A OS that always runs with administrator priviliges can never by secure.

[Dom2354]

I love all these people who trash vista I just want you to know after a severe gaming accident left me with out any limbs( I didn't see that bastard behind me) I for one can appreciate the beauty of vista I can stare at it all day and it is truely beautiful and for that rare occasion I have to move my mouse with my nose to get it out of sleep mode I'm having no problems with this beautiful O/S.
I love the bubbles screen saver and can and do stare at it all day. Come on guys light'n up at least when you have a intch you can scratch it, MMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

[Kilme]

I really don't care what happens. I use Vista on my work computer, and other than slow startups and shutdowns, I don't see any problems with it; granted, I don't do anything excessive on it, but still. I still prefer XP at home, because it does everything I need it to do, and quickly. Also, if people really like the Aero interface that much, you can change XP's visual style to Aero if you want.



If they do discontinue sales of XP, it won't really matter to me. I already have a copy of XP, so it's not like I'm missing out, and most of the people who really care about XP that much already have a copy as well. Before they're removed from the market, I'll probably pick up another copy from the egg, just so I can have an extra laying around.



Also, eMJay, comparing Vista to your ex-girlfriend is priceless.

[TraVizZyL]

I had XP for years and I got a Vista running laptop for college and I love it, mine has been performing like a champ. However, a lot of my friends have problems with theirs. Maybe the problem really is people getting it without the required specs, especially ram. This could make sense since in my search for my computer I was shocked to see a Vista laptop on sale in office max with 512mb of ram!

[rtfire1]

i have laptops and desk tops running vista, xp and win 98se I like vista the most of the 3, but 98se on a psp is just fun. Vista is great for getting on to wireless networks and gaming so far.

[rmolinary]

My husband and I bought a new HP laptop in October with Vista Home Basic on it. We love it. While I get annoyed sometimes with the security stuff that pops up every time I open a program, it's otherwise a really good OS. I have noticed that it takes longer to boot up then XP ever did, but taht is the only downside I have found. My husband loves being able to play his RPG games now! For those of you that have said you can't get programs to work on Vista- try going to the company's website- most have a patch now that will fix the problems. Every program that I coudln't get to work- I was able to after I downloaded a patch or a new version of the program. It took a little bit of effort and time, but its worth it. There were all kinds of the same problems when XP came out, and look how great XP is now. You should Vista the same chance.

[kyboy]

My wife bought a new laptop with 1gb RAM and it's molasses with Vista. What a productivity killer. She gets more done on her WinME 128mb 700mhz P3 and that's with heavy Adobe products.
I sell an application for Windows that I wrote. For the first time, I've had to tell my customers that if they're running Vista, they're on their own and I do not have time to twiddle with my wife's PC either.
Life is too short and I've got things to do. I just ordered a new Toshiba laptop with XP Pro, before it's too late to get one. 35 year computer veteran.

[Undefined]

Vista doesnt need Antivirus? Thats a first. Vista assumes the user is a retard. You click install, it says "Are you sure?". I mean come on if I clicked it doesnt it mean that I wanted to install it? Vista fans just want to move on because they want something new. But they know it is not better than XP when it comes to performance and reliability. Yes it is a new OS but you could do things more productively and effortlessly with XP.

[cropcircles]

XP is the older 25 year old brother, smart, has tons of friends he gets along with. His annoying 10 year old brother Vista, less experienced, naive, struggles with freinds and has to write accountability papers allot when he screws up telling his big brother how he'll do better the next time. --- XP has 7 years experience on Vista's 1 year and 2/4 months, depending. They said the same thing about 98E and XP when XP came out. Do we forget all the complaints about XP with integration. With the massive hard drives these days, is it that difficult to dual boot and have the whole family together. Everybody's different and brothers XP and Vista certainly can get along. Come on Harry!

[TraVizZyL]

Exactly, you shouldn't get vista with anything less than 2gb of ram. As i said my computer runs great, I believe this is the cause of most of the negative feedback.

[chipbennett]

I jumped ship from XP to Linux, not because of Vista's resource bloat, GUI, or marginal upgrade value for the cost - but rather in protest to the deeply integrated DRM. If I'm going to spend money on 2GB of RAM and other hardware, I want that hardware working for me, not against me. I purchase all of my music CDs and movie DVDs (standard and HD) legally, and do not appreciate being assumed guilty.

Thus, not encumbered with such DRM, my Dell/Kubuntu laptop works beautifully for me, and all of the processing power and memory can be put to my chosen uses, not those of Microsoft, the MPAA, or the RIAA.

[SherylR]

I really like XP! I've heard nightmares about Vista & wouldn't purchase a new PC right now because they only come w/Vista! "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

[veegme]

please leave xp alone. vista is no better than xp~ and besides, if Microsoft had put a little MORE time on XP-- it would be ten times much better than Vista right now.

[Bregt]

Vista needs a antivirus program just like XP , did I say that Vista doesn't need one? ?:| Linux, Unix and OSX: they don't need a antivirus program. UAC sucks but if you try to install a program on Unix-like OS or modify system settings, it asks for a admin password. that is security.