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General discussion

Vista

Jun 19, 2007 3:11PM PDT

I have a laptop with 1.6GHz dual core processor 2050, 1GB RAM, 120 GB Hard disk (5200 RPM) etc. etc. with Windows XP - Home as the OS.

I basically work on image editing, video editing, audio editing; in addition to Word & Excel applications.

I am thinking of upgrading from XP to Vista Home Premium. Before I do so, I would like to know from the learned members of this forum, the advantages/disadvantages of the proposed upgrade.

Thanks in advance.

Discussion is locked

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If the notebook is working fine
Jun 19, 2007 8:29PM PDT

and meets your current needs, why the upgrade? Have you run the Vista adviser? It will show what is and what isn't compatible.

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Another opinion, My personal policy is to never upgrade
Jun 19, 2007 10:49PM PDT

An OS, especially to Vista. Stay with XP until you are ready to replace the laptop.

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Two good pieces of advice...
Jun 19, 2007 11:21PM PDT

Take it from a Vista user that came on a new system. Experienced nothing but bugs... still seriously considering format and install of Win XP. Sad

For what it's worth!

Glenn

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I've got Vista Ultimate on 3
Jun 20, 2007 2:48AM PDT

laptops with all working great. Two old ones and a new one. One of the applications that 64 bit helps is video editing. I would stay with XP until you get a new machine. The 64 bit Vista is 1000 time better than XP 64 bit.

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I bought a new noebook with Vista
Jun 20, 2007 2:55AM PDT

because I wanted a lighter notebook. I'm very pleased with Vista and haven't had any serious problems.

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Stay with XP for the moment
Jun 22, 2007 11:03AM PDT

I reformatted my hard drive and installed Vista ultimate. Since that time I hade much problem with streaming video content and with other programs from other manufacturers that did not work or worked poorly. The world was not ready for Vista, and I felt that Microsoft had done us a big injustice by releasing the product early.
Finally, after much frustration, I reinstalled XP because I had had enough. The external backup saved what I needed. I did need to reinstall programs, but now the computer runs just fine. I will probably install Vista around January first, 2008. I feel that at that time, Microsoft will have sent out its much awaited SP1 for Vista and most other programs will be running perfectly.
Even windows media player 11 was not ready for Vista, and my pocket pc which I cherish, works better with XP.
WAIT WAIT WAIT

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Well...I See No Advantages..
Jun 20, 2007 2:54AM PDT

..for changing to the new operating system if the current one is working correctly..

Many disadvantages:

Research for Vista drivers will be daunting.
Probable that some of your programs and printers may not function after the upgrade.
The processor and RAM you've currently got won't appear to be as fast and if video editing, you'll probably want to purchase more RAM.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Vista
Jun 20, 2007 10:45AM PDT

Thanks to all contributors. The info has bee very useful.

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My friend just reformatted (thats how bad it is)
Jun 22, 2007 4:43PM PDT

Vista is nothing but a hog of resources, money and riddled with bugs. My friend just bought a desktop from dell (1 gig ram, core 2 duo, 300gig HD) and vista ran really slow (he had home version so it had no Aero running). After debating with dell to send him XP home to replace it (for free), we reformatted the disk, installed XP home, and now it runs lightning fast!

Vista was so bad that it even disconnected the usb drives and didnt see them for about a minute! The wireless connection is through the usb so it would drop the internet quite often. Rediculous!

If I were you, I would consider the new Macs when Leopard ships. It can run XP or Vista in a virtual space (or parallels can do better), Leopard can run in 32 bit and 64 bit, and a bunch of other stuff.

Im not trying to sell Macs cause I have owned PCs for some time, but they are getting interesting and innovative... not to mention that Microsoft is becoming more stagnant and bureaucratic as "the man".

Bottom line, Vista is a HOG that will take your money and Microsoft wants to empty your wallet by getting you to buy the better versions for an insane price and to pay crazy amounts to bulk up your PC to run it. If you built a high end PC to run Vista, try using XP and you will see it will be crazy fast!
Why install a racing engine in a huge heavy vehicle when you can put it in a light race car by shaving of weight on the body? Same thing with Computers.

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If I were you, I'd wait...
Jun 22, 2007 5:20PM PDT

Wait until after Vista SP1 is released. They just made the announcement about the "possibly" of it coming out in the fall. In the meanwhile, add some extra ram to your pc.

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No to Vista
Jun 22, 2007 10:39PM PDT

I've be computing for 18 years (early DOS) and never had a total system crash. I did recently with Vista. I have a dual boot system with XP which recognizes my scanner and some other software. Personally I wouldn't upgrade to a newer version of Windows on an existing PC unless it was aversion ME or something like that.
I think people make too much out of operating systems. Each newer version requires more power but does nothing but provide eye candy.

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No problems with vista upgrade for me....so far
Jun 23, 2007 1:34PM PDT

Hi,

Upgraded DELL XPS M1210 (Centrino Duo T7200@ 2.0GHz; 2 GB RAM-667MHz; 100GB 7200RPM; nVIDIA GeForce 7400 GPU)running XP-Pro to Vista Business as part of the Dell express upgrade.

Did this with a great deal of apprehension.

I must say, went off real smooth.

Though not too different or special from XP, it does have lots of new and convenient features... and looks real good ...and so far so good....very stable, unlike so many previous windows version.

I use it for word processing, presentations - all the basic stuff. I also do lots of photo editing, and occasional video editing

The only problem I had, was with my DVD writing software (Roxio - which I had to buy) and Norton Internet Security 2006 (which I had to upgrade to 2007 - free, thanks to Dell).

My advice..

If you are upgrading as part of your PC Manufacturer's upgrade program, go for it. There WILL STILL be a few surprises such as my Norton.

If you are not on an upgrade program, you are on your own. What I would suggest is running the Windows Vista Updgrade advisor from Microsoft. Go to your PC manufacturer's website to check out, if they have their own upgrade advisor (Dell, HP, Acer have theirs; others might too) especially regarding drivers.

Before all this, do go through CNET's review to find out if YOU really think its worth it for YOUR purposes.

All I can say, it worked for me

Good luck

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Vista
Jun 23, 2007 10:10PM PDT

Thank you.