Excuse the ignorance, do I need Vista?

Question

I have a computer I bought in 05 with XP. I mainly use it for the internet and to create word and excel documents.

I dont really know what Vista is about, but I was wondering if I need it? What are the advantages for someone who uses the computer mainly to surf the web and for microsoft word?

Answer 1

Vista is a new operating system by microsoft, just like XP is an operating system. If all you do is surf the net and use word and excel documents then a XP is just fine since a lot of computers still have XP and a lot of people have XP. But the website below can tell you a whole lot more about Vista b/c there are 4 different versions of them: Vista Basic, Vista Premium, Vista Business, and Vista Ultimate

Answer 2

I had read somewhere that Microsoft was going to support XP until 2010. Anyway you don't need Vista. Vista is Microsoft's newest operating system. XP is a pretty good operating system, and you don't really need to upgrade since all you do is web surf and work on word documents. Well whenever you buy a new computer it will come with Vista. So just wait until the day comes that you need/want to buy a new computer.

Answer 3

Technically, no. Vista's main enhancements reside in things like greater parental controls on-board, an easier-to-navigate folder structure, a LOT of features aimed at entertainment and greater Internet security. However, a lot of it is playing catch-up to things Macs did years earlier, so its really a smart tweak on XP/2000 rather than a huge leap forward in innovation. If you have a handle on anti-viral updates and are happy with your current browser, things like word processing aren't going to be a big deal.
If you really feel the need to be current and would LIKE the new ease-of-use and entertainment features, going for the roughly $100 basic version might be a good idea, especially since its reportedly more stable. My advice: stick with what you know for a while and keep reading up on Vista as it goes through its public shakedown cruise. Any bugs it might have will be reported soon enough and meanwhile, you can keep working as usual.
It looks like a good product, but always be a bit wary of the first generation of anything. The rule of thumb should be "Will this product allow me to do what I want to do at least 35-50% better or faster than what I use now and does it have any really new features that take me someplace new I could not go before?" If so, ramp up to the new level. If not, sit tight for a while. XP is going to be viable for quite a while yet. Here's a link to the skinny on Vista so you can make a more informed decision. Hope that helps!

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/100reasons.mspx

Answer 4

I recommend not getting Vista right away, the software is still new and it may still have a few holes in it.

XP will be supported by Microsoft until 2012, and Windows XP SP3 will be released later this year or early next year, so I think it's not really worth getting Vista while XP is still supported, unless you get a new computer.

Answer 5

No, you don't.

I've followed Vista on and off since Longhorn (its codename) was announced and have used it quite a bit at work in the past month or so.

While the list of new features is nowhere near as impressive as it was going to be, there are a few new things. The interface has changed and there are a few more security features, but overall there isn't a lot in it that the average user will find worth the price.

Other than developers ensuring that their software runs on Vista, the only reason I have found for upgrading is to be able to use DirectX 10 for games that will require it. Aside from those new games, XP works well. I use XP on my Windows computer and don't plan to upgrade anytime soon.

Answer 6

No, Windows Vista is more a Media Center XP buffed up, if surfing and documents is all you do then don't spend the money until you buy another computer.

Answer 7

no you dont need vista! also i herd that a service pack 3 is comming out for XP DO NOT upgrade to it..just keep XP with service pak2...vista is new its gonna have problems and bugs and glitches windows always has had that problem..so no u dont need it, i'd wait a year or 2 before getting it!

Answer 8

Before you buy VISTA read the articles at:

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/175801

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/01/13/vista_suicide_note_r.html

Linux operating systems are excellent. Try out one of the free distributions. My favorite is UBUNTU. You can download it, or order a CD, at

http://www.ubuntu.com .

You will also get all the software, that you will ever need, FREE - See

http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Linux_software_equivalent_to_Windows_software

Answer 9

No, Microsoft will contine to support XP until....08 at least maybe longer, no need really

Answer 10

You don't need Vista. It is basically just eye candy.

Several reviews.
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