Vista?

Ashleyj · **Vista? -** 10-02-2008, 07:39 AM

My HP laptop that currently runs XP is beginning to show its age and the time may well have come where it needs replacing.

My problem is that I would like to stay with XP but it appears that the only ones available have XP Pro and are business machines with small screens (currently have a 17" widescreen).

So to get what I want it looks as if it has to be Vista!

Are any of you using Vista? Is it really as bad as they say?

I have read so many articles about how slow it is that I am reluctant to go there.

Honest opinions would be welcome.

Dave C · 10-02-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

My HP laptop that currently runs XP is beginning to show its age and the time may well have come where it needs replacing.

My problem is that I would like to stay with XP but it appears that the only ones available have XP Pro and are business machines with small screens (currently have a 17" widescreen).

So to get what I want it looks as if it has to be Vista!

Are any of you using Vista? Is it really as bad as they say?

I have read so many articles about how slow it is that I am reluctant to go there.

Honest opinions would be welcome.

Hi,
Vista is okay, but the main problem which I had / have is that all of the old software which I had on my last computer is not compatible with Vista (things like Adobe professional, photoshop, etc). I know I can probably pay and get an upgrade, but why the hell should I, I have already paid (alot of money) once. I do not have any noticeable problems with speed, but my old computer was v. slow, so perhaps I am just not noticing as the new computer is so much better

. If I had my time again, I would have insisted on XP, but I guess you have got to move on at some time,
Cheers,
Dave

shadman · 10-02-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

My HP laptop that currently runs XP is beginning to show its age and the time may well have come where it needs replacing.

My problem is that I would like to stay with XP but it appears that the only ones available have XP Pro and are business machines with small screens (currently have a 17" widescreen).

So to get what I want it looks as if it has to be Vista!

Are any of you using Vista? Is it really as bad as they say?

I have read so many articles about how slow it is that I am reluctant to go there.

Honest opinions would be welcome.

if you get vista just make sure the cpu comes with plenty of ram. i just bought a new system with 6gigs and i love it. in fact vista is the best operating system i have ever used.

don't believe the hatters. also i would recommend the 64 bit version vs. the 32 bit one.

cr

gluteus maximus · 10-02-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

My HP laptop that currently runs XP is beginning to show its age and the time may well have come where it needs replacing.

My problem is that I would like to stay with XP but it appears that the only ones available have XP Pro and are business machines with small screens (currently have a 17" widescreen).

So to get what I want it looks as if it has to be Vista!

Are any of you using Vista? Is it really as bad as they say?

I have read so many articles about how slow it is that I am reluctant to go there.

Honest opinions would be welcome.

Hi Ashleyj

There are still a few laptops with XP and 17" screens to be found, such as these:

http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4SP7 (XP Pro)
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=56KS (XP Pro downgrade option)
http://www.6thplanet.com/menu/con_no...nlap77562.html (XP Pro)

I don't think you would notice any difference between XP Home and Pro.

gm

Ashleyj · 10-02-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave C

Hi,
Vista is okay, but the main problem which I had / have is that all of the old software which I had on my last computer is not compatible with Vista (things like Adobe professional, photoshop, etc). I know I can probably pay and get an upgrade, but why the hell should I, I have already paid (alot of money) once. I do not have any noticeable problems with speed, but my old computer was v. slow, so perhaps I am just not noticing as the new computer is so much better

. If I had my time again, I would have insisted on XP, but I guess you have got to move on at some time,
Cheers,
Dave

Dave,

Yes that is a good point about older software, I will have to check and see if everything on the laptop is compatible with Vista.
Luckily there are no really high value programs on there as I mainly use it for browsing/email, downloading and my GPS mapping software plus a few other bits and pieces so I would assume there would be no issues.

It seems to be very difficult to insist on XP these days. I spoke to Dell and they would only supply XP Pro on a business (expensive) machine, and I have no desire to spend a lot of money on something that does not do a great deal.

I see GM has posted some links below so I will take a look at them and see what's available.

Ashleyj · 10-02-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadman

if you get vista just make sure the cpu comes with plenty of ram. i just bought a new system with 6gigs and i love it. in fact vista is the best operating system i have ever used.

don't believe the hatters. also i would recommend the 64 bit version vs. the 32 bit one.

cr

I had heard that Vista like a lot of RAM.

I have been looking at a Dell machine that comes with 4Gb which I understand is the max. than the 32 bit version can use - which should be enough I would thought.

In fact someone famous once said '640Kb ought to be enough for anybody!'

Ashleyj · 10-02-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gluteus maximus

Hi Ashleyj

There are still a few laptops with XP and 17" screens to be found, such as these:

dabs.com - HP 8710W T7700 17 2/120G XPP (GC125EA#ABU) (XP Pro)
dabs.com - Toshiba P300-18P Pentium Dual Core T2390 1 120 DVDRW VB/XP (PSPC1E-00M004EN) (XP Pro downgrade option)
Sony VAIO BX Series Notebook New Pentum M 760 2000MHz, 17'' TFT- WUXGA 1024Mb Ram, 80 Gb x 2 Disk, DVD-R \ CD-RW, Modem, Nic & Wireless Lan, Operating system :- (Windows XP Pro ), 1 Year RTB Warranty (XP Pro)

I don't think you would notice any difference between XP Home and Pro.

gm

Thanks for the links GM, I will take a look.

As you say there is no real difference between XP and XP Pro, I had a Compaq a few years ago that had Pro on it and for day to day use I could not tell any difference.

shadman · **vista -** 10-02-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

I had heard that Vista like a lot of RAM.

I have been looking at a Dell machine that comes with 4Gb which I understand is the max. than the 32 bit version can use - which should be enough I would thought.

In fact someone famous once said '640Kb ought to be enough for anybody!'

using a laptop the 32 bit version would be just fine. i bought the 64 bit version because within time that is what microsoft will be using primarily. plus the 64 bit is expandable up to 128 gigs. the 32 bit version is maxed out at 4 gigs.

one nice thing about the 32 bit version is that it's way more user friendly with older software. for example, drivers and older software that you might want to use on your new machine.

after you use vista for awhile xp will seem really old and outdated. i truly recommend using vista. it's way more crisp and sleek.

if you do go with vista report back what you think.

thanks,

cr

Ashleyj · 10-02-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadman

using a laptop the 32 bit version would be just fine. i bought the 64 bit version because within time that is what microsoft will be using primarily. plus the 64 bit is expandable up to 128 gigs. the 32 bit version is maxed out at 4 gigs.

one nice thing about the 32 bit version is that it's way more user friendly with older software. for example, drivers and older software that you might want to use on your new machine.

after you use vista for awhile xp will seem really old and outdated. i truly recommend using vista. it's way more crisp and sleek.

if you do go with report back what you think.

thanks,

cr

Thanks Shadman,

Yes I think the 32 bit would be fine for what I need.

I have been looking at a DellDell for about £700 that seems to do all I want but it was just the Vista that was putting me off.

I will have to sit down and put some serious thought into what way to go.

solaris · **Vista -** 10-02-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

Thanks Shadman,

Yes I think the 32 bit would be fine for what I need.

I have been looking at a DellDell for about £700 that seems to do all I want but it was just the Vista that was putting me off.

I will have to sit down and put some serious thought into what way to go.

You can also just choose to switch off all the Vista 'glamour' - Aero, for instance

Note: It's REALLY not that hard still getting XP