What is a better operating system Windows XP or Windows Vista?

Question

I have a laptop running Windows XP Pro and a desktop running Windows Vista Ultimate. I have run into so many problems on the desktop running Vista. One of them is I am a big audio person and I can no longer sort and categorize my music with Channels or Audio Frequency, they added a whole bunch of new details but they took out these important ones I had why would they do that? Instead now they added Orientation and IM address just to name some details you can sort your files by. Also the stupid security warning that pops up when you open and install files on Vista is very annoying I don't know how much longer I can put up with it. I havn't really had major problems on my Windows XP machine but vista...wow... did you know that alot of printers and cameras still don't work for Vista? For example at Fry;s Electronis a big computer store here in the West coast ...I checked all the built in cameras on the HP laptops and none of them work and I checked the device manager and they all failed

Answer 1

XP Pro has had 2 major service packs out and is much more stable and has more industry stupport out there right now, plus you've been using it longer.

Vista is the "next great thing" from MS, but it's still in its infancy as an OS, once SP1 comes out I'd guess it'll be about up to part with XP on stabliity, but it'll still take some getting used to.

Personally, I'm waiting a little bit before I jump on the XP band-wagon, plus from what I've seen it's just a lot of eye-candy.

Answer 2

domicile windows XP has been out long sufficient that the utility dirvers and interfaces are incredibly good. on the grounds that Vista became released, all OEM providers are making use of it. it interior reason good yet nevertheless has some problems. SP1 launch could make it excellent. some providers have not got Vista updates available yet greater are popping out on a daily basis. Microsoft would be dropping all help on XP in 4 years or much less. the only producer i understand of which will sell a clean equipment with XP is Dell. in case you get a clean equipment, be certain that's nicely geared up with processor velocity and RAM to assist Vista. Toshiba is a suitable equipment in laptops, yet could be costly in case you do no longer seize them on sale. bypass to a significant keep and attempt the structures. Do you like the feel of the keyboard, does the show screen look good, does it have the extras you like. there will be some great revenues top till now college and at exertions Day. do no longer forget approximately to checkout the workplace grant shops. they in specific circumstances are particularly cost aggressive. you will discover the Dell products at Wal-Mart. you need to to bypass to the Microsoft internet site and look on the equipment standards fot the quite a few Vista variations. i understand that's long yet mandatory to cover each thing.

Answer 3

Better is sort of a subjective thing. However, there are compatibility issues with some applications out there with Vista. Additionally, look at it this way, they're still coming out with service packs for XP this many years later. Vista may eventually be better, but as a user, you're probably better off sticking with XP for 6 months to a year until some of the major kinks and issues are worked out. I had Vista and switched back. I miss the slick look and all but overall am much happier with the stability of XP.

Answer 4

Adapted From: Windows Vista For Dummies, Special Preview Edition
You'll see Windows Vista in the headlines quite a bit this year. The buzz starts in the technology section, ambles over to business columns, and eventually turns into news headlines. But amid all the buzz about Vista, there's one nagging question: Do you really need this thing?
Here are a few of the most tempting features Microsoft has worked into Vista, and what you'll find in them.
Improved search
Windows XP really drags its feet when searching for files. Searching for a filename takes several minutes on a crowded hard drive, and if you're searching your files for a particular word or phrase, you're in for a long weekend. Vista, by contrast, spends its idle time fine-tuning an index of every word on your hard drive.
To keep that work handy, Vista places a Search box on the Start menu, atop every folder, and in a few other areas. The handy Search box and the up-to-date index make it faster than ever to find the files and programs you want.
Vista even updates its index with words on Web sites you've visited recently, letting you quickly call up that headline you remember reading last week.
Trying to find the right setting in the Control Panel's vast array of switches and options? As you type words describing that setting into the Control Panel's Search box — display, for example — Vista filters out every item that doesn't pertain to the display. Eventually, you'll only spot a few icons left, and they'll all pertain to your computer's display.
Security
Some may call it a nuisance, others call it User Account Protection, but Microsoft prefers to call it advanced security. Vista's built-in User Account Protection security not only keeps unwanted creatures from crawling into your PC, but it also stops the ones already inside your PC from calling home to their creators through the Internet. Whenever something in your PC tries to do something that could change Vista's settings, Vista asks for your permission.
Although all this security is indeed a bother, it's the only way to keep your PC and your files safe.
Even if you turn off the security features for your own account, leave them turned on for your kids' accounts or the account you create for your babysitter or housesitter. Vista security will keep them from mucking up your PC while you're away.
Windows defender
Just about everybody's heard something about spyware — unwanted software that sneaks onto your PC. It then spies on your Web-browsing habits and sends the results to sneaky companies who fill your PC with ads targeted toward your interests.
When something's wrong with your PC, spyware's the most likely suspect. Spyware-infested PCs experience slowdowns, conflicts with other software, and even crashes. Vista's new Windows Defender seeks out and destroys spyware before it takes hold. Because companies constantly create new breeds of spyware, Microsoft automatically trains Windows Defender with Windows Update to recognize the latest spyware strains and pry them off your PC.
Parental controls
Most parents don't let their children travel unknown neighborhoods without supervision. But what about the PC and its ticket to the Internet's chat rooms and adult Web sites? Vista's strict parental controls let parents control their kids' computer workouts by adding the following controls:
 Blocking specific Web sites and programs or blocking all but a few hand-picked Web sites and programs
 Filtering Web sites by their content
 Blocking file downloads
 Controlling the days or hours the PC is available
 Collecting detailed activity reports showing Web sites blocked/visited, programs run, games played, and instant messaging conversations held
Although Vista calls them Parental Controls, they let any administrator account holder control the activities of any standard account holder. That means you can finally control exactly how your roommates use your PC — if you let them use it at all.
And your boss can see exactly how much time you spend playing solitaire when you should be working. Be forewarned.
DVD burning
Windows XP couldn't write to DVDs without the help of a third-party program. Vista can finally write to blank DVDs by itself, making DVDs an easy way to back up all those digital photos. Combine Vista's DVD Maker program with Vista's improved Movie Maker program, and you'll finally be able to burn your vacation videos to DVD and watch them in the living room.
Vista's built-in Backup program lets you automatically store your backed-up files to CDs or DVDs.
Runs on an average PC
You may have heard how Vista won't run on older PCs, or it needs an expensive video card. But if your PC's running Windows XP, it will probably run Vista just fine.
As for the video card, Vista certainly looks its best when run on a PC with a high-powered video card. But it also looks fine on most PCs today. The differences really aren't that obvious.
In fact, some people will turn off Vista's glass tabletop because all those reflections can be distracting.