Windows XP or Vista ? Please Help!

Below is from a similar thread by Qatman in the advice and help section

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/83298 

PC Magazine conducts OS battle: Results based on ratings

Price (on scale of 0-5; 0 is worst, 5 is best):

4.5 - Ubuntu

4.0 - Mac OS 10.5.1

3.0 - Windows XP

2.0 - Windows Vista

Installation:

5.0 - Mac OS 10.5.1

3.5 - Windows Vista

3.0 - Windows XP

3.0 - Ubuntu

Interface:

5.0 - Mac OS 10.5.1

4.0 - Windows Vista

3.0 - Windows XP

2.5 - Ubuntu

Bundled Software

4.5 - Mac OS 10.5.1

4.0 - Ubuntu

3.5 - Windows Vista

2.5 - Windows XP

Third-Party Software (Quantity, not Quality):

5.0 - Windows XP

4.5 - Windows Vista

4.0 - Ubuntu

3.5 - Mac OS 10.5.1

Drivers/Hardware (Quantity, not Quality):

4.5 - Windows XP

3.5 - Mac OS 10.5.1

3.5 - Windows Vista

2.5 - Ubuntu

Networking:

4.5 - Windows XP

4.0 - Mac OS 10.5.1

4.0 - Windows Vista

2.5 - Ubuntu

Security:

4.0 - Mac OS 10.5.1

4.0 - Ubuntu

3.5 - Windows Vista

3.0 - Windows XP

Windows Vista

Plus Points: Very Good Security, Very flashy look

Minus Points: Slower than XP, needs at least 2GB to work smoothly, 

Some older softwares not supported, some devices are not detected

For more details visit link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista   

Windows XP

Plus Points: Much faster than Vista with same memory specification, most of  older software supported

Minus points : unsatisfactory Security, not as flashy as Vista, etc..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP

Go for windows XP!

I  find it much easier to navigate around.

Tech Doctor, you are right about linux, it is better.

I was on about xp and vista.

The older technology will be faded out sooner rather than later.  Vista have workarounds to work in XP mode and boots up faster.

I also know about downgrading because I have forced my company to downgrade due to some compatibilty with British Telecom equipment, but for the average user, Vista is better than XP.

I agree Linux is much better for technical minded individuals like us, but for the average public, since Microsoft would most likely come with the new laptop and for ease of use of non-technical minded persons, Vista is still better!

Maxmo: Only Corporate customers can downgrade from Vista to XP, not humble end users like us.

QT: You also need to understand why corporate customers downgrade from the latest/ultimate Vista to XP.

"Life is like a bicycle, if it's too easy - you're probably going down :)"

The choice of OS depends on various needs:

1. Why do you want a PC?

-Browsing, word processing, spreadsheet work etc. - Linux is more than enough.

-If you want to play lots of games - Windows is essential.

2. How much you can pay?

-If you have loads of money and don't mind shelling out 350 or more QRs then Vista is ok.

-You won't be able to buy XP. MS stopped selling it. You may be able to install pirated copies. I don't encourage that.

-You can install Linux for free. Cooldude or I can help you here.

Comparisons:

1. Vista - More eye-candy over XP. Only serious improvement is a little bit of security over XP - don't confuse this over other OSes. Otherwise downhill everywhere. It even set the file copying speed record of over 3 months for a couple of GBs! Very poor driver support. It is currently the most immature (in length of life) OS out there.

2. XP - Actually a good OS. Mature, good driver support, fast etc. Not too much to complain.

3. Linux - Actually a lot better than what a lot of people say or percieve. Got more eye-candy than Vista can ever dream of. Very stable. There are instances of Linux servers running for years without a reboot - I am not joking.

My advice would be:

Try Linux (Ubuntu) for a while. You have nothing to lose and all to gain. If you are not happy go to Vista.

QT: You have to first use Linux before you say it is crap. We can actually help you to see the greener side of IT life. Why don't you try it for once. We can install it free for you. When you see a generation of IT developers put in time and effort and give you something for free you should at least give it a fair evaluation.

"Life is like a bicycle, if it's too easy - you're probably going down :)"

QT dear... have u tried using Linux ?

Try it and you will know the difference.

Lemme know if you would like to install Linux on your laptop.

Call me in 6810220

Remember, There is no need to pay me or something like that .

This service is totally free..

For any queries, you can contact me or any one in the Linux users group in Qatar.

Here is the site http://www.qglug.org 

Vista is better and getter even better by the day.

If you go for XP you're stuck with an older model notebook!

Change with the times, it'll work out better for you!

As said by Dweller, Microsoft is going to stop support on XP. Which also means no security updates and no more service packs for XP. More over any new laptop you buy, you will get only Vista Home Edition by default as most of the companies have a tie-up with Microsoft for OS Licence on discount price.

If you are not happy with Vista, you can down grade your Visa to most basic version and disable all Vista Features, this in return will give you look and feel of XP. 

Its also true that Vista takes some time to stabalize and its higly recommended keep regular backup of all your work and never do a mistake of keeping your original most important documents on the Laptop Hard disk while working with Vista.

As per my experience, I had to format my laptop hardisk more than 3 times in last 6 months and lost all most every thing I had. But now I am smart, I make sure I keep a full backup on regular intervals.

In short, you can't escape from VISTA. Sooner or later it will take over your life with computers.

If you are not developer and if you are gona use your laptop only for document management and browsing, nothings bettre than Linux or Mac OS.

All the best for your new laptop.

Regards,

Amjad Khan.

Sr. Software Engineer.

Yeah.. I've got the link....

But I haven't tried it...  will check it too..

Is this distro, redhat or debian based ? 

yea Linux vixta, its exactly the same as vista, just made by linux.

Check it out on www.vixta.org

It's always the small things that make big differences.

I've seen that vista eats up a lott of RAM even in idle instance.

I dont think the graphics quality which vista give does not justify the RAM usage.

If you want to see a video of Windows Vista and Beryl desktop environment in Linux, Here are few links

Beryl uses very less amount of RAM while its running.

first i missed xp because i was used with it but now its the same with vista and so i would say give it a try.

:-)

XP is more better that Vista in the user side. I felt XP is more user friendly than Vista

If you are using a laptop, try Suse Linux or Ubuntu.

These works well with most of the laptops.

Fedora 8 just in case might work.. but you'll have to configure the sound-card manually. 

Anywayz....  my recommendation goes for suse linux 10.3.

The beryl desktop thing too works perfectly fine with it. 

I had some problems with beryl while testing with ubuntu. 

Linux Vixta  ???  may be tooo primitive..

Screw microsoft, go for linux Vixta. It's the best and it's smooth with no viruses and u can install windows softwares on it.

IT IS FOR FREE

The only problem is knowing how to install it and work with it. Which isnt that hard, just different.

Otherwise go for xp.

It's always the small things that make big differences.

Keep both....use XP normaly..n Vista evantually...

Go for XP, as Vista really sucks.

For security Vista is much better but I don't think you will be attacked by a pro hacker but maybe you have some secret documents of the Area 51 hidden in your laptop...LOL

Install XP with the latest Service Pack 3, it is much faster and more stable than Vista even with its SP1.

With Vista you light also have some compatibility issues with peripherals drivers and some softwares.

My advice stay with XP SP3.

Good luck  

for all ur advices!

I will let u know for what I have decided..

Reviews about Vista SP1 are mixed. Better in some areas, worser in other. By and large no real benefits.

Read:

http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/windows-vista-sp1/4505-3672_7-32853289.html 

"Life is like a bicycle, if it's too easy - you're probably going down :)"

I bought a laptop and replaced Vista with XP. Also running Linux most of the time. Unless you do lots of wordprocessing for the company, give Ubuntu a try. Download at www.ubuntu.com. You can try it before installing from the CD. Just pop the CD and restart the machine.

If you have trouble running Linux we can help you. Send me a PM.

Cheers. :)

"Life is like a bicycle, if it's too easy - you're probably going down :)"

windows vista is the latest one so u will have it sooner or later,

but for now go for the windows XP, u will feel that your laptop it much faster then while using vista.

microsoft is going to introduce the SP1 for vista soon to solve some of its problems, thats why no company started to introduce it to their emloyees yet, plus they will have to change all the PC's that they have...

just make sure before you install the windows XP that you have all the drivers for your laptop.

yesssss the very good Mac OS, qatman is right you must consider this as well =D 

Virginity like bubble, once prick, all gone :)

Confucius

Mac OS X is a good alternate you could consider.

i recommned you should go for Vista .. in the beginning you may find tough to get along with Vista ...but once u start using it you feel good with it .. i am using both and i didnt find any probs with Vista...

remember we all had the same problems when XP launched and all the people were asking for Win98 and 2000, and now 98 and 200 became history ... so it will same with XP also soon..

so consider  Vista ...coz you can customise Vista the way u want and u can even make Vista just as XP look and even much better performance .....there are lots of added advantages also in Vista ...if you go to MS site u will find the comparison in detail ...

anyway good luck and cheers for new Laptop  

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

I aLwaYS TeLL Da TruTh, EveN When I LiE

traveller28 .....

Always have Dual OS......

Windows XP and  Linux

While loading it gives you a choice as to which OS to boot into!

So if you are having trouble with Windows at least you can retrive your data with Linux.

Vista uses up a lot of your ram & graphics thus also your battery (if on the go).

I am used to XP and I like it. I also heard many bad stories about Vista. The only reason why I am considering it is because I can see the trend going to Vista and I dont want to stock with XP at the end..

Vista is the way to go now that the service pack 1 is released for it. I do agree that most of the people have had problems with Vista but most of them are because security restrictions which are enabled by default and lack of some drivers. These security restrictions are there to protect the system.Go for Vista but take some time to get familiar with the system and the features, After all it makes sense to go with the latest OS which Microsoft supports and all new software will perform well on the Vista platform. 

that Microsoft will be stopping support for XP soon (I think next year but am not sure).

I will stick with XP at least until then

XP is the best, much better than Vista. But if you are fond of Vista interfaces, you still have an option just to install the interfaces pack from the third party, which makes XP look alike Vista.... Bingo!!!

XP is way more stable than vista. so go for XP, if you like the looks and feel of Vista there's a theme for XP users to make it look and feel vista :)

Virginity like bubble, once prick, all gone :)

Confucius

XP laptop's still on market?

anyway, all windows OS made upto vista is full of Sh*t! go for the latest sh*t.. i mean vista... it's all same except few million things MS trying to sort out since they made it.. cheers...

Windows Vista is good, but still is a lot of headaches.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- ./`I don't wanna waste another day-Keepin it inside, it's killing me./`

AS PER MY KNOWLEDGE U SHOULD GO 4 XP- BCZ I HAVE SEEN IN WINDOW VISTA THAT U CAN NOT INSTALL ORACLE...MAY BE, THERE WILL BE OTHER PROB ALSO...SO ... BE CARE FULL ...

[img_assist|nid=61229|title="impossible" it self says I M POSSIBLE !!!|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]

Go in for Xp man vista sucks. You can get IE 7 and WM11 for Xp too so what more do u need? plus i feel XP to be more faster then Vista. 

Where there is Fire...There is Coke. Where there is Rum..There is Smoke - Sir Smoke-a-Lot