Window's Vista

[Redskins8588]

I am looking at buying a laptop PC and I keep hearing 2 sides about VISTA. So, I came here to find out, how good or bad is VISTA? Just about every laptop comes with vista now. So all opinions are appreciated. Thanks...

Walmart.com : HP 15.4" Pavilion dv6809wm Laptop PC w/ AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TL-60 : Computers

Here is a link to the one that I am looking at. Any tips on others would be great I am looking to spend about $600 to $700...

[724Skinsfan]

Might as well go for Vista because I think Microsoft is no longer selling XP.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Might as well go for Vista because I think Microsoft is no longer selling XP.

Might as well get XP because they're already developing Vista's replacement since it was a dud.


Seriously, Vista is HORRIBLE, we're having a lot of issues with it at my office (forced upgrade) and compatibility issues with printers, accounting software. phones and palms aren't synching and other crap problems.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Buster

Might as well get XP because they're already developing Vista's replacement since it was a dud.


Seriously, Vista is HORRIBLE, we're having a lot of issues with it at my office (forced upgrade) and compatibility issues with printers, accounting software. phones and palms aren't synching and other crap problems.

uh, didn't your IT guys test that stuff BEFORE "upgrading" the office computers? xp support is good for 10 more years i believe, so that sounds like someone jumped the gun...

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by That Guy

uh, didn't your IT guys test that stuff BEFORE "upgrading" the office computers? xp support is good for 10 more years i believe, so that sounds like someone jumped the gun...

There are only 2 machines in my entire company that are running Vista right now. Mine and the other SysAdmin. Mine came with XP Installed, but was Vista Ready, and the other SysAdmin just got a new laptop with Vista Business installed. Neither of us have had any trouble, and since anything newer would come with Vista installed, we both decided to jump the gun and dive in so we'd be ready.

However, there is no way in hell I would upgrade to Vista on a machine currently running XP. It's not worth the hassle...

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

There are only 2 machines in my entire company that are running Vista right now. Mine and the other SysAdmin. Mine came with XP Installed, but was Vista Ready, and the other SysAdmin just got a new laptop with Vista Business installed. Neither of us have had any trouble, and since anything newer would come with Vista installed, we both decided to jump the gun and dive in so we'd be ready.

However, there is no way in hell I would upgrade to Vista on a machine currently running XP. It's not worth the hassle...

yeah, i wouldn't bother moving from xp to vista either. but my vista laptop hasn't had any issues that are worth mentioning thusfar... i mean, before sp1, moving massive (thousands) of files at once cause problems and WAS a huge issue, but that's fixed and it's really pretty boring (as it should be) on the problems front.


vista needs 2gb of ram to keep it happy under all circumstances though, just like xp needs 1gb... 2000 will run on 64mb without bitching (but it will be a bit slow).

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by That Guy

uh, didn't your IT guys test that stuff BEFORE "upgrading" the office computers? xp support is good for 10 more years i believe, so that sounds like someone jumped the gun...

Actually, they did, but random things like copiers (use for printers) and individuals' printers, palms and phones we've SINCE purchased do not work. That's pretty unacceptable that a new OS will not run existing hardware and new phones coming out won't work properly with Vista.

The only gun-jumping was by MS that released a HORRIBLE product yet again.

[Daseal]

Go Vista. The people complaining about it are the people that didn't have the PCs to handle it. I've been impressed with Vista and it's treated me well. Microsoft decided to do what Mac has been doing for years and not support legacy hardware. That caused a lot of folks upgrading to have issues. Now days everything is developed for Vista. I have had few to no problems with it. Just make sure you go turn off the "Are you sure" type things. They are annoying, but simple to disable.

[saden1]

I have a Dell XPS 720 H2C with Vista and I can tell you Vista is a piece of shit...It's sluggish and a memory hog...Windows Media Player started crashing constantly and I tried to uninstall it but you can't!!!! I had to reinstall the entire OS to fix the issue! Oh and the constant updates, it's really annoying. numerous software have glitches too (i.e. HP's Photo Smart software).

Anyone considering switching to Vista from XP should really reconsider because there's no real value in switching. Vista offers nothing new. If you're getting a new machine you really don't have an option anymore. Every PC comes with Vista now.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by saden1

I have a Dell XPS 720 H2C with Vista and I can tell you Vista is a piece of shit...It's sluggish and a memory hog...Windows Media Player started crashing constantly and I tried to uninstall it but you can't!!!! I had to reinstall the entire OS to fix the issue! Oh and the constant updates, it's really annoying. numerous software have glitches too (i.e. HP's Photo Smart software).

Anyone considering switching to Vista from XP should really reconsider because there's no real value in switching. Vista offers nothing new. If you're getting a new machine you really don't have an option anymore. Every PC comes with Vista now.

I've had so many WMP issues, specifically related to WMP sharing services which as you've said can only be fixed with the good ol' nuke and pave. Other than that, I've had no real issues with Vista. I'm running a home-built pc, Vista Ultimate 64, quad core proc and 8 gbs of Ram.

[BDBohnzie]

I'm running Windows Vista Business SP1 on a Dell Dimension C521 (AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2GB Memory) here at work, and I have had virtually no trouble whatsoever.

If you are running XP currently, I wouldn't recommend upgrading to Vista, unless you buy all new equipment...

Redskins8588 - that machine should run Vista just fine. The only thing that I'm not a fan of is the low resolution of that laptop (1280x800). Other than that, all the specs seem to be fine, and you should have no problems with it. Happy Computering.

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

Redskins8588 - that machine should run Vista just fine. The only thing that I'm not a fan of is the low resolution of that laptop (1280x800). Other than that, all the specs seem to be fine, and you should have no problems with it. Happy Computering.

Thanks, I am using the unit as a secondary PC. I have a Desktop that I love. I want a laptop because I am starting to attend RIT on-line and as a family we tend to travel a bit too much, so I want a laptop to take with me. As for the resolution what do you recommend? Most that I have looked at has the 1280x800 res. How much worse would it be compared to my dell flat panel monitor?

[EternalEnigma21]

I have an hp pavillion with 2G ram that works great with vista. I imagine it would be faster with xp, but have no probs with it. Also I've had the pavillion for over a year and been impressed with it. Far better quality than either of my in law's gateway laptops.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I'm pretty unbiased between the two, and honestly Vista is just fine. We run and will continue to run Windows XP here where I work until support TOTALLY ends for XP OR the next OS comes out.

I have XP on my home machine and will keep it until I absolutely have to. Vista is most definitely a memory hog, but honestly much like anything, it depends on your level of computer experience. This is what I do for a career, so pretty much I never have problems with my machines at home.

[BDBohnzie]

1280x800 is just a weird resolution...probably because the laptop is a 15.4 inch screen, but I guess it's because I'm not thinking in terms of screen size.

1280x800 is probably fine for a 15.4, but I know I've seen cheaper 17's that have that resolution. 1280 width is the equivalent of a 17 inch flat panel display for the most part, so it should be fine, especially if it's going to be a secondary PC.