Vista or XP

[JPB]

I see on Newegg that most versions of Vista is Upgrade versions. I am sure these versions just upgrade the existing install of XP to Vista ?

If so, that isn't what I want. I have a new hard drive as well, and just want to install a new fresh copy. I would prefer retail, but I see they cost alot more than oem. I also have no problem going with an oem version, since when I buy a motherboard, I keep it for up to two years or so.

So, I know I asked this further down in the thread, but.... this version of Vista is an upgrade from XP ?

1) Is this version of Vista a version that isnt an upgrade version ?

2) I would rather have this version of Vista as I think it isnt an upgrade version, and it would be tied to my primary motherboard. Correct ? And what does DSP OEI mean in the product description ?

But if no for option two, I would go with the Ultimate.

 

[jonnythan]

I've recently switched over to 100% Vista, and will definitely not be going back.

There is one service pack, and the performance difference in games is negligible.

Vista is quality. Run with it. It's not the new ME.

 

[AnnonUSA]

You can try running Vista and see if it suits your needs, you can always change back to Xp if it turns out wrong.


EDIT: Windows Vista won't be the next Me, it already is the next Me. Maybe not in the same dismal way of the original Me, but with public perception of Vista being what it is, the damage is already done. The Mojave experiment is nothing. It won't change anything for those that know. As an IT professional (lol), I have been to many Microsoft roll outs and Presentations, where everyone leaves firmly believing they must have the product or their computing days ahead are doomed. Microsoft knows marketing, and their "mojave" just gave a lot of unsophisticated users oh's and Ah's with eye candy features, that they most likely wouldn't be able to duplicate on their own.

 

[Jeff7181]

No reason not to use Vista on a new computer if you're looking for a Windows OS.

 

[Sylvanas]

Vista performance is on par with XP and has been for a while, be sure to get Vista 64 with your new rig.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
You can try running Vista and see if it suits your needs, you can always change back to Xp if it turns out wrong.


EDIT: Windows Vista won't be the next Me, it already is the next Me. Maybe not in the same dismal way of the original Me, but with public perception of Vista being what it is, the damage is already done. The Mojave experiment is nothing. It won't change anything for those that know. As an IT professional (lol), I have been to many Microsoft roll outs and Presentations, where everyone leaves firmly believing they must have the product or their computing days ahead are doomed. Microsoft knows marketing, and their "mojave" just gave a lot of unsophisticated users oh's and Ah's with eye candy features, that they most likely wouldn't be able to duplicate on their own.

Fact is there is a lot of FUD spread by some XP users and IT professionals about Vista,glad I don't listen to FUD or those people,I put my money where my mouth is and went and installed Vista back in January 2007(Vista x64) and again in Feb 2008 (on a laptop Vista x86) guess what both rock stable and I use them for general use and serious gaming.

I've come to conculsion that some people including IT professionals should stay away from PCs and operating systems period.

Gaming/driver wise Vista is on par with XP and any new hardware will have no issues running Vista,even my old 3800 x2 CPU runs it just fine,remember more ram you have the better Vista becomes as an OS....My XP PC has been reduntant now for about a year(only used now for security updates).

EDIT: When Windows 7 gets released, will Vista become the next Windows ME ?

Vista will be very mature and have quite an establishment by the time Windows 7 comes out,we don't know yet what bugs etc yet Windows 7 will have on release,by then Vista which is already very solid as an OS should be in even a stronger position...I know a few people are waiting for Windows 8 (I'm looking forward to Windows 8 more then 7) mainly because its suppose to be the first OS by Microsoft thats supposed to be 64 bit only ie no 32 bit version,also improvements from Vista to Windows 7 won't be as great as from Vista to Windows 8 so some users will be holding on to their Vista until Windows 8 arrives(I'm personally thinking about it).

The future as always is changing so nobody here including myself can tell you whats the next best thing,however Vista is probably the best Windows based OS Microsoft have ever made at this time IMHO.

 

[gsellis]

If you want to use all 4GB, you want Vista 64. Forget XP 64 as Vista is going to have better driver support too.

The ONLY thing I have found not to work well on Vista are some DOS programs (GemCad, GemRay).

Go with Vista.

 

[JPB]

Thanks for the replies :thumbsup:

It looks like I will be going with Vista.

Now, can someone tell me exactly which one to get ? There are a lot of different versions. Just to note, I don't like home versions of OS's.

I see on Newegg it says they are all mostly OEM and made for system builders ??

Edit: Not too long ago I made a thread about dual booting Vista and XP. I guess I was just nervous about leaving XP in the dust. But I guess I am going to now. THANKS

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: JPB
Thanks for the replies :thumbsup:

It looks like I will be going with Vista.

Now, can someone tell me exactly which one to get ? There are a lot of different versions. Just to note, I don't like home versions of OS's.

I see on Newegg it says they are all mostly OEM and made for system builders ??

What is it you think you hate about Home Premium? The truth is if you don't need Bitlocker Encryption, Vista's disk imaging, and other enterprise features, Home Premium is pretty nice.

If you want to skip Vista HP then here are your two choices.

1. Vista Business: Has all the enterprise features but lacks certain multimedia capabilities like Media Center and protected DVD playback.

2. Ultimate: Has everything under the sun.

 

[JPB]

Yea, I know what your saying. And it was Ultimate that I have been considering. I don't think I would need anything like the Business version. So that is ruled out.

I guess I have just been accustomed to XP Professional and that I why I guess the Vista Home wouldnt be *professional* as where Ultimate would.

 

[JPB]

Ok, I am looking on Newegg for the Vista Home Premium single pack. But all they have is 3 packs. Anyone know where this can be found ?

Edit: Is this the correct version ? Vista

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: JPB
Yea, I know what your saying. And it was Ultimate that I have been considering. I don't think I would need anything like the Business version. So that is ruled out.

I guess I have just been accustomed to XP Professional and that I why I guess the Vista Home wouldnt be *professional* as where Ultimate would.

Ulitmate version has everything,personally I use Home Premium which I find more then good enough for my needs.


You can see the features that each version has here.

Also remember to take into account do you want Vista x86(32 bit) or x 64(64 bit) version.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: JPB

Edit: Is this the correct version ? Vista

Yep.

 

[JPB]

I just checked the site for Circuit City....and why does it cost almost $100 more than Newegg ? That is crazy as I wanted to pick it up locally.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: JPB
I just checked the site for Circuit City....and why does it cost almost $100 more than Newegg ? That is crazy as I wanted to pick it up locally.

That is a retail copy vs a system builders copy. Find a local computer store that will sell you the system builders copy instead. PC Club is a good place to start if one is in your area.

 

[aprilb]

I think vista would be the best.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: aprilb
I think vista would be the best.

This is my wife !

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: soonerproud

Originally posted by: JPB
I just checked the site for Circuit City....and why does it cost almost $100 more than Newegg ? That is crazy as I wanted to pick it up locally.

That is a retail copy vs a system builders copy. Find a local computer store that will sell you the system builders copy instead. PC Club is a good place to start if one is in your area.

Is there any difference between OEM and retail ?

And also, Lets say I format the pc...can Vista be reinstalled as many times as I need it to ? On the same PC that is.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: JPB
And also, Lets say I format the pc...can Vista be reinstalled as many times as I need it to ? On the same PC that is.

Good question. I have Vista Ultimate on two machines, and they are about 1.5 years old. I have never had to reinstall on either one. I do have duplicate HDDs for each one, and I generally rotate them about every month. That causes a reboot "new hardware found" - but never a problem.

Past experience says that if a reinstall is necessary, and you get an activation balk, a simple phone call to MS will fix it. They are good about that.

I also have two XP Pro systems, going on 4 years. Never had to reinstall them either. Sometimes I think too many people reinstall because they don't know how to properly maintain their systems or are too lazy to do so.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: JPB
Is there any difference between OEM and retail ?

And also, Lets say I format the pc...can Vista be reinstalled as many times as I need it to ? On the same PC that is.

The system builders license is only installable on the same PC as many times as you want. The major differences are as follows.

1. The license for OEM (system builder) is tied to the computer it is first activated on and is not transferable. All PC's sold by the major OEM's to consumers come with this license. You can activate it on the same motherboard as many times as you wish as long as you do not change the mobo. You can upgrade about all the other components and still activate the license.

2. The retail version includes free support from Microsoft while the OEM version does not include free support. (I think it is 90 days of support on retail, but I could be wrong on this one.)

3. The retail version is transferable, provided it is first uninstalled on the previous system. There are now no limits on the number of times the license is transferable.

4. The retail version comes with a better manual and packaging.

 

[JPB]

So...
3) You are telling me I can install the Retail version on two of my pc's ? As long as it is installed on the primary one first ?

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: JPB
So...
3) You are telling me I can install the Retail version on two of my pc's ? As long as it is installed on the primary one first ?

oops, typo

uninstall

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: JPB
So...
3) You are telling me I can install the Retail version on two of my pc's ? As long as it is installed on the primary one first ?

Only if you remvoe it from the first pc before transfering it to the second.

 

[fritzfield]

I like polls. Go Barack! Go McCain! :laugh:

 

[JPB]

Well, the other PC will be running XP Pro. So it really don't matter if Vista can run on two PC's at the same time anyway. I was just curious if it was possible.

Well, Vista ? Here I come !!