Windows Vista...is it worth it?

Question

I came across Windows Vista the other day while looking at laptops online. (I'm going off to college in August and want a laptop, so I was just looking at what's doing pretty good right now, even though I'm not getting mine until mid or early August.)

Anywho, I'm running Windows XP right now and have never had any big problems with it that I couldn't easily fix.

I was really just wondering if Windows Vista is worth getting. What's REALLY the difference to Windows XP? Is it really that much better?

Just some general stuff like that.

If anyone could help me out and give me some opinions/advice that would be great.

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

No it's not. Buy a laptop that comes with a certificate for a free Win Vista upgrade. This way you can try it once the bugs have been worked out if you like, but have the ability to go back to the tried, true and stable Win XP, if you don't like Win Vista. Microsoft stated they will be supporting Win XP though 2015, so you are still safe.

Between it being flawed, as all versions of windows since 3.x have been on release and the fact that Vista is said to encroach on media usage, I for one, have no use for it. I refuse to let Microsoft be my "BIG BROTHER". If such issues are not resolved, I for see myself going to Linux when XP out lives it's usefulness.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I too just got a laptop. Dual core amd 2 gigs ram its the pc I always wanted. It came with windows vista home premium.

When you look at windows vista remember there are 5 different kinds.

Don't get home basic but get home premium or above as there is no sense in getting home basic as you don't get all the fancy stuff. See site below.

One of the things I love is the rotating windows. What you do is hold the start key on your keyboard and press tab. It used to be alt tab but now when you do the start key (or windows key) and tab you can rotate through all your windows like a rolodex.

Also the whole platform is different, when it comes to spyware and adware MOST of the viruses and junk like that have all been programmed for xp and windows 98 but there aren't as many for vista yet so its even safer.

I have used every version of windows and vista is the best by far. You will not be dissappointed but don't get home basic or you will. Get anything higher than home basic. I got home premium and it is very, very good. See site below and also go on youtube.com and type in windows vista to see a working video of it.

Answer 3

It's really different, but accomplishes about the same thing. I would stay on XP for now as Vista is so new.

If you're buying in August, Vista will be your only choice. By then any major bugs with hardware and software will be gone.

Vista is just the next evolution, it just takes a little getting used to.

Answer 4

I even have abode windows 7 abode top classification and Ubuntu 9.10 loaded on my computing gadget. i'm nevertheless gaining awareness of the in's and out's of Ubuntu (have purely been making use of it simply by fact the top of 9.04 cycle) yet think of this is an staggering unfastened operation gadget. abode windows 7 besides the undeniable fact it incredibly is basically lots extra desirable than Vista and XP, no longer purely simply by fact it relatively is new. i admire the way it has simplified diverse strikes and how it relatively is a lot extra customizable. relatively no longer as particularly or featured-wealthy as OS X, yet once you're on a working laptop or pc, abode windows 7 is definitely worth it! i replaced into in a position to get it for $30 on college decrease fee. in case you have a school buddy/relative, attempt to take income of that! stable good fortune

Answer 5

I would stick with XP its hard to come across now on new comps, but windows vista has what i call a NARK system, which tells on you anytime you download something that the manufactuer dont want you to download, even a simple song.

Answer 6

I run windows vista on one of my server computers as a 2nd hard drive......still testing it out......as far as i can say...its definitely worth the money. MORE security, more features, and its more user friendly than its ancestors.

Plus....the looks are fantastic....very graphical.

Answer 7

I would wait until new users have reported on all the negatives, and more of the bugs have been fixed.

Answer 8

Personal choice. Depends on whether or not you need it or want it that badly. Read below and think.

Information on Windows Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/enterprise/default.mspx


Considering an Upgrade to Windows Vista
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.

What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?

A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user experience—may require advanced or additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
A modern processor (at least 800MHz¹).
512 MB of system memory.
A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
Some Windows Vista Capable PCs have been designated Premium Ready. These PCs will provide an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor¹).
1 GB of system memory.
Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)², Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive³.
Audio output capability.
Internet access capability.

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/capable.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/hardwarereqs.mspx