I need a new computer! Should I settle for a Windows Vista? I've heard negative things about it.?

Question

My Dad and I want to buy a new computer. I want to buy one that's fast, has lots of space, and just in general great one altogether. He wants to buy a Windows Vista but I don't because I've heard a lot of nagging about it. What do you suggest? What do you know about Windows Vista? What should I settle with?

Answer 1

yes you probably have heard bad stuff about windows vista. but even if you get a new computer, you should get it. i'm sure Microsoft will get all the glitches out soon so it will be in great working order. windows vista is actually pretty great depending on the version you get. but when you get a new computer make sure you get windows vista home premium not home basic because basic isn't as good as premium. the premeium version has alot of different features including media center, aero desktop experience and windows flip 3d. the basic version doesnt have that.

Answer 2

Vista Home Basic does not have enough features to make it worth having. All Vistas are not the same. There are 5 versions. Vista Home Premium is far better and they go up from there.

Windows XP has all the speed you need. This is evidenced by the fact that Dell has decided to "reintroduce" computers with Windows XP as the operating system. The speed advantage would be for 64 bit applications if they existed, which they do not at the moment. It would be like buying a Ferrari engine to put in a Volkswagen to only find out that the transmission will not work.

It is a maxim that you do not want to be the first or the last changing to a new Operating System. There is always a problem with old applications that no longer function on the new operating system. It also takes a while for enough demand to build before developers provide new applications or upgrades. If you but a Vista machine you may have applications (programs) that will no longer run.

The thing that always makes any computer faster is MORE and FASTER memory before anything else.

There is a saying: Windows XP crawls with 128 MB of memory, walks with 256, starts to run on 512 and begins to fly with 1 MB. MAX the MEMORY!!! Microsoft says you have to have a "minimum" of 1 MB of memory and a 1 Ghz processor. Experience and testing suggests that you need 2 MB of memory and a 2 Ghz processor to really get the best performance from Vista.

The newer harddrives have faster speeds and higher cache memory. They work faster under Windows XP.

Before you buy a new machine:

1) Consider getting the fastest and most memory your motherboard can handle.

2) Consider getting the fastest processor your old mother board can handle.

3) Consider getting a faster video card for your old computer.

If you want to play the new games you will be disappointed with a new system with the minimum features on it.

BTW, I have been using computers since 1962. I have seen many new operating systems introduced. My formula for maxing the old computer first has always given me a faster "old" system than a new system with the minimum features others got because the prices were too high.

Good luck

Answer 3

I bought a PC with vista in it and returned that PC the next day for a new XP PC.
Vista reminds me of Windows ME
All the hype, some cool stuff, but most of it, is crap!
Microcenter has the best return policy and warranty anywhere,
They let you try out the PC for 30 days and get full in store credit or on line credit or refund you the money less a restocking fee.
If you get want a Vista machine, get one that is XP but Vista ready. That way you get all the power you need and ready to upgrade when Vista gets the Sp's out in a few years.

Trust me... Say NO to VISTA, it is a scam!
They also charge you a small fee for the basic setup and then you have to buy the better version for 3-400.00.
You will find the Vista bundles are missing half the stuff XP has and that is how the get you to upgrade to the premium versions of VISTA

Answer 4

It depends on what do u do on ur pc.

if you do lot of gaming and use lot of software and do professional work on ur pc dont go for vista right now. this is not because there is something bad about vista. vista is definitely a better OS than winxp but it is just released and it takes some time to become stable.

i use both vista and xp on my laptop. i experience some issues with drivers and software incompatibility and some other minor issues. moreover i dont find any urgent need to switch to vista.

in short :

buy a powerful computer that is compatible with vista but install xp as main operating system. if u are really serious about vista install it as a second operating system.

Answer 5

I seriously recommend macintosh, unless you play a lot of computer games. if you *must* get a windows machine I would go with windows XP. windows vista is a resource hog and provides pretty much no benefit over XP. it's neither more stable nor more usable.

OS X is a unix-based operating system, so it's pretty much as rock-solid, stable & secure as you can get. It's produced by Apple - a major company - so that means you get the excellent hardware support and software selection that is sometimes lacking on other unix-based platforms. If you go with apple though, I'd recommend making sure it's an Intel mac, not one of the older PPC systems.

Answer 6

Vista is crap, there is just no dispute about that among people who know something about computers.

The DRM in Vista is just not something you want to put up with.

Expect to switch to Linux at some point in the future though.

Answer 7

I haven't had any problems with Vista yet....
It's a bit different than XP but easy to navigate...

Answer 8

it doesnt really matter. pretty soon ull have to upgrade anyway