Windows XP or Vista For Teenagers 1st Computer What's Best?

Question

Windows XP or Vista For my Aunties, Teenagers 1st Computer What's Best?

It is my Aunties first Home PC that she is about to buy from Dell, it's a pentium 3gig dual core processor, 20" flat screen, 360 gig hard drive, 1gig Ram, mainly Teenagers are going to use it.

She has a choice of XP or Vista that comes with it, which should she get, most people we know use XP thats why I am thinking get that in case she needs to share programes or fix any issues.

Thank you

Answer 1

If someone was to ask me whether they should upgrade XP to Vista on their existing computer, I'd say no, it's not really worth the hassle and unless the computer is relatively new, it probably doesn't have components that are advanced enough to really get the most out of Vista (there’s probably not enough RAM and the hard drive may be to small).

However I'd recommend getting it with a new computer, but will share the following disclaimer: Windows Vista was supposed to be the next generation of operating systems (at one time they said it would be as big of a change as Windows was from DOS), but it took Microsoft so long to develop (and still not complete) that they have saved many of the "revolutionary" features that they promised for the next version (code named: Vienna, which is supposed to be out at the end of 2009, but don’t hold your breath).

Because of that, with Windows Vista, you really only get three new things, added security (which actually is pretty good), improved searching (which is OK), and a nicer look (which by itself really wouldn’t be worth the trouble). Since there isn't really a difference in cost with Vista over XP, I'd recommend Vista just to have the latest in technology and to get use to how some things are going to be different starting with Vista and going forward. There are alot of glitches with Vista now, but that has been the case with all prior versions, and will be the case with all future versions. Microsoft makes continued and frequent corrections and improvements to its products and releases them for free, and they are pretty easy to download from their website (in fact your computer can download and install them automatically with no effort on your part other than connecting to the Internet), so I wouldn't let the fact that you may run into a problem dissuade you from buying new technology, because there are still problems and fixes they are finding for their older versions including XP.

Vista has better virus resistance than XP has because they have partially locked the core down meaning viruses can't get in to the place where they can do the most damage as easily as before (they were going to completely lock the core, but then the Virus protection companies started throwing temper tantrums about that and Microsoft caved in making their system less secure than it would have been).

You do need more RAM with Vista, Microsoft recommends at least 1 GB, but really suggests 2 GB to really get it to do everything that it's supposed to do well. RAM is very easy to install and if you don’t get it now, you can always buy more later when it will almost certainly be cheaper.

In terms of operating systems only (XP versus Vista) don't worry about compatibility issues with files that are going to be shared back and forth. This will only be a problem if the programs themselves have compatibility issues (different years of the same program for instance) and that would be the same even if both of you had the XP. There will be a problem between 64 bit and 32 bit programs and systems, (64 bit is the future), but barely anyone has or develops 64 bit yet, so you’d have awhile before you had to worry about this.

Answer 2

Well Vista, has very high memory requirements compared to XP so that means XP leaves you with lotsa free memory, but personally VISTA definitely gives you a better computing experience. Not only is it a great visual treat, but its also very user friendly, all programs and menus are easily accessible the search option is great.....!
If its going to be a teenagers 1st comp i would recommend VISTA as it will make the computing experience a pleasure. Dont forget to get Office 2007 also as this again is a great offering and is a wonderfully simplified software with great features specially in Excel and Powerpoint, this is assuminmg that the teenager in concern is going to use it for homework and projects etc.

But then dont go by my opnion only i'm just overly loyal to MS Vista, i have personally been using it since Spetember 2007 when we had initially started using it to test it. Its been working great for me.....! And moreover the online help that is available for trouble shooting is great too.


So ahead and experience the "wow" with VISTA.


Well you make up your mind and do let us know which one did u pick. And hey even if you pick XP you can always upgrade later ...!

Answer 3

Windows xp will be around for 5 more years--I like xp and it does all I ever need. There are still a lot of problems in the vista program. Vista might be ok when they work out the bugs--but for me Im very happy with my xp. Im a 14 year pc user. 55 years old.

Answer 4

Would suggest Xp as Vista still has many issues that are being worked out such as compatibility with some older software packages. Also is an easier environment to run in with less configuration so for the novice home user would suggest XP, with the option to upgrade to Vista later

Answer 5

Get the xp. Its more user friendly and wasnt hacked by hackers before it even came out like vista was. I dont like Dell's personally since you cant change the hardware in them without sending it back but you have very good hardware for the time being. Make sure you get Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2.

Answer 6

With just 1Gb of RAM, I would say XP. You'll need at least 2 or 3Gb to run Vista and multitask with multiple application smoothly.

On the same hardware, XP is 12-14% faster than Vista.

Answer 7

Go with XP, it's much easier to use. Vista is very complicated and I've gotten complaints from people using Vista and their very first operating system. Plus, Vista is still having driver issues.

Answer 8

Personally, I would stick with WinXP for now, it is rumored that there will be another service pack upgrade coming for WinXP. But the headaches and problems with Vista being so unstable aren't worth it for now. Wait to get Vista for a couple of years yet, let the "Bugs" get ironed out first then switch.

Answer 9

i would think you should go with xp because it is secure unlike vista it still has problems and is slower than xp it also takes up alot of space on your computer so go with xp and later on when vista possibly gets better u could get that then

Answer 10

XP XP XP
vistas too new
too buggy