7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Windows Vista big promises, but disappoints.
Date of Review: Oct 28, 2008
The Bottom Line: Save time and money and stick with Windows XP Pro. If you do select Vista install it on a dual core cpu, 2 gigs memory, mid range video card.
I own PCs and laptops running Vista, Windows XP Pro, and Leopard. I am a geek who performs PC maintenance and IST support.
Regarding Vista first the good points. Commendably in Vista, the All Programs list now show an expandable directory tree. Within the Start is an instant off button, which allows you to exit and shut down very quickly (without having to shut down individual files, and close programs one by one). There is also a compatibility wizard within Vista that enables most XP applications to function. There are a huge number of new features buried within Vista (but many are geared to business applications). I will mention just a few that are useful to all users (not just business oriented clients): Back up and Recovery, Calendar, Sync Center for mobile devices, an improved User Account Control for security, Parental Controls, and Aero graphics.
Vista requires a faster cpu, more memory, and a more powerful video capability. I have had many customers who have just bought a new PC or laptop in the past 18 months, that came with Vista installed, that are very disappointed with the speed the PC or laptop boots and runs program. It is difficult to tell a customer that just because the PC or laptop was labeled Vista ready, it does not mean that it is truly Vista capable (Judge Pechman has granted class action status to a lawsuit which alleges that Microsoft under represented the true hardware requirements needed to truly run Vista capably).
I have had to upgrde numerous brand new Compaq, Dell, HP, eMachines, etc. in the past 18 months where Vista was installed, but the PCs or laptops simply did not have enough processing power, memory, or video capability to run the installed Vista at speed. Some of these PCs and laptops were only equipped with as little as 512 megs of memory, and weak on board video.
Point one, Vista requires more cpu speed, memory, and video capability than does Windows XP. If you truly want to run Vista at speed, make sure you have at least a dual core cpu, 2 gigs of memory (3 or 4 gigs are better), and a solid ATI or nVidia discrete AGP or PCI express video card.
Point two, Windows XP will boot and run faster than Vista on any PC or laptop. In other words given the same exact system (cpu, memory, and video specs), Vista runs slower, and Windows XP runs faster. On laptops especially, Vista will require a better and faster cpu, more memory, and more powerful video (at greater expense), to obtain the same speed running Vista, as compared to Windows XP Professional.
Compaq, Dell etc have taken notice, and in most cases you can (and I would seriously recommend) down grade during an order, and have Windows XP Pro installed, even on a PC or laptop which comes with a Vista COA. If you currently have a PC or laptop running Vista which is slow, seriously consider one of two options. One is to spend about $200 to upgrade the memory (size and speed) to a minimum of 2 Gigs, and upgrade the video card (especially if it is to a mid grade AGP or PCI Express card in the $140 range. Two is to back up your files and data (using the File and Transfer Wizard), formatting your drive to remove Vista, and install Windows XP Professional (OEM disks with Windows XP Pro brand specific (Dell, HP, etc.) are available very reasonably (currently on Amazon Dell Windows XP Pro are less than $10).
On 6/26/08 IT reporter Tony Smith reported: "that chip giant Intel says 'no' to Windows Vista because it can't justify the cost and effort of the upgrade". Take away: Vista requires a serious upgrade and more expensive hardware to run at speed, and offers some nice to have but not revolutionary (or got to have improvements) when compared to Windows XP run on the same hardware. My recommendation is to stick with Windows XP Professional until Microsoft offers a real game changer as a reason to upgrade.
