I've been using Vista for a while now, and although I don't hate it as much as I used to, I can't I'm pleased that I upgraded. Most of the 'good features' that I've noticed seem to be in the form of programs that I don't use.
I don't know dude, I have an XPS m1330, and XP is so much better on it (compared to Vista). It feels much more responsive. XP is just as stable as Vista, IMHO. And I don't really consider UAC to be a "good feature".
I've been using Vista for a while now, and although I don't hate it as much as I used to, I can't I'm pleased that I upgraded. Most of the 'good features' that I've noticed seem to be in the form of programs that I don't use.
Vista is notably slower than XP, plus it has ludicrous problems like the file copying one. It makes no sense at all to buy new, faster hardware only to have it clogged by a sluggish operating system that leaves you with a machine which is actually slower than previous generation's ones.
Quick! Someone call the incorrect statement police!
Vista is better than XP for a modern system - it's safer, prettier, has DirectX 10, a much better search function and many other features. In addition SP1 has sorted out the vast majority of problems.
However, the file transfer speed is still a bit slow - although not drastically so - but should get better.
Not on the brand new Vaio my missus just got. Vista is just a little sluggish, and seems to get more sluggish over time (after uninstalling all the Sony bloatware, and installing Office 2003 -- nothing else).
UAC is just annoying, the 3D app switcher just pointless, and the new Aero UI just seems to take up more valuable screen real-estate (on a 13.3" laptop).
It'll probably be upgraded to XP now that Sony have released all the necessary drivers.
ok ok.... some clearing up to do... Vista 32-bit sucks. I mean what do you expect from a last minute done OS. In the other hand Vista 64-bit surpasses in all fields XP, even XP-64-bit edition (ok maybe not networking... but its not slow, its the same speed, form my testing) I strongly suggest to anyone that uses Vista 32-bit to switch to 64-bit. You can use the same product key. Just ask a friend for any edition (all the disk are the same, the product key is what decide which edition to install) of Vista 64-bit, and upgrade. HOWEVER, you have to make sure that all your devices including printer, scanner,etc.. has Vista 64-bit drivers. Vista 64-bit is so good, that most problems reported only affected Vista 32-bit. I say Microsoft should have never released the 32-bit edition.
Anyway, a new system containing with new technologies (nothing old), with a video card that can actually render some sort of Cube and basic effects (in other words all Intel video cards, expect for the 3100 model which is more then enough), latest BIOS architecture and motherboard chipset, 2Gb of RAM (if you have bellow 2GB of RAM, you need to disable superfetch and Windows defender (Vista should use about 300MB of RAM) will have Vista running just as well as XP if not better. (for me it's much better) Don't believe me? http://pages.infinit.net/eps/vista.PNG (yea Vista running Vista, and no system slow down here)
If you have Vista Business or Ultimate you can access gpedit.msc panel, and you can really customize Vista. Home Premium need to play with the registry.
Also when you get Vista make SURE you have the latest drivers. Not on Windows update, on the actually company website that made the device. Example: if you have an ASUS Geforce 8800, go to Nvidia website, not on ASUS nor Windows Update.
If I made Vista run smoothly on a PIII 800Mhz with 512MB with a Radeon 7000, then don't see the problem. Granted it was hell to make it run smoothly as Vista, by default enables everything... but it works. If you spend some time with it, you can really make Vista lighter. In my main system, AMD Athlon 64 4400+ Socket 939, Geforce 8800, 2Gb fo RAM, nForce 4 16X SLI chipset, I only disabled Media center services as I don't use it, however it runs way better then XP. And let's not talk about install time, as Vista installs so fast it's not funny.
If you use Vista, also check this free tool from Microsoft called Autorun: This tool allows you to change what runs at Windows boot, Windows loading, account loading, drivers and more... I can tell you can clean up all the mess that bad drivers installed (ie: on the X-fi, it loads a punch of effect plug-in at Windows startup... I don't use them, so I remove them all, I saved about 1sec at Windows loading) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
What is new in Vista.. ok lets see.. Windows XP is based on the good old NT dated from 1993 if I am correct, where security was not a high priority for Microsoft. This is why now a 8 year old kid can easily make hacks and virus for Windows. Vista new core is well a bran new core, started from scratch. So for sure some code optimization is lost. But as a software developer I can tell you that when you re-do something it tends to be better, even when your goal is not to add a thing. Improved (about time) memory management.. now you can use all your RAM unlike XP, where your application crashes (if pagefile is disabled when you reach 80-95% of your RAM). Moreover, Vista manage memory significantly better to a point that even expert agrees that Windows memory management is actuall descent compared to other OS, XP and older Windows was always abysmal (wasn't that a complain?!), every Windows process and core (kernal) is programed to use your multi-core CPU (XP is single core, meaning a Windows process can either go on core 1 or 2, not using both simultaneously), per application volume control (wasn't that a complain that Windows XP was missing?!), A UI that uses a video card like it should, NOT your CPU (wasn't that also a complain?! and the main reasons why gamers usually tend to disable XP them to gain free CPU), instant search, proper search system (no more dogs and whatever crap), flip3D, improved tablet PC features, speach recognition, (may I say it works dam well when you have a good microphone and you configured it well). New Start menu organization.. the second you get use to it, you like it more then XP.Wait I am not done! Folder structure organization... can anyone tell me how many Application data their is in XP? Well in Vista, by default on a clean install, you only have 1, and it is in your profile folder. "Time-machine" like feature that works per files, folder, drive, or hole system (kinda more advance then MAC OS time machine). Auto-backup features, Complete PC backup, improved multiple monitor support, improved wireless system... support several clocks, side bar, easy to backup yourself your computer (again, just backup your profile, it even contains all your application configuration inside, so you won't need to have fun reconfiguration everything). Memory diagnostic tool, Windows repair know diagnostic the problem and repairs it, unlike XP it just re-install a bunch of files and destroy your system, disk Manager, REAL firewall.
ok I can go on... So... What was new on XP... Theme, wireless manager, minor bug fix, Windows repair, """firewall""" (with SP2)... and.... well that is pretty much it. You did not really complain did you...
Next time, why don't you stop reading Mac and linux fan boy that have no life and create 20 accounts and goes everywhere on the internet that says Vista sucks, and ACTUALLY use it!
Fix: "in other words all Intel video cards, expect for the 3100 model which is more then enough" I want to say, that all Intel video card are not capable of doing this, except the Intel 3100 model.
"however it runs way better then XP" however, it runs way better than XP
"punch of effects" Stupid Firefox spell check... I mean "a bunch"
"you like it more then XP" You will like it more than XP
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If you're buying a new machine Vista is perfect for it. It's stable and has a lot of good features. It's lunacy to chose XP.
However Vista is very very bad for an upgrade on an existing machine because it'll eat it whole and have driver problems.
Lots of good features? Tell me some of them.
I've been using Vista for a while now, and although I don't hate it as much as I used to, I can't I'm pleased that I upgraded. Most of the 'good features' that I've noticed seem to be in the form of programs that I don't use.
I don't know dude, I have an XPS m1330, and XP is so much better on it (compared to Vista). It feels much more responsive. XP is just as stable as Vista, IMHO. And I don't really consider UAC to be a "good feature".
Just my thoughts (=
Lots of good features? Tell me some of them.
I've been using Vista for a while now, and although I don't hate it as much as I used to, I can't I'm pleased that I upgraded. Most of the 'good features' that I've noticed seem to be in the form of programs that I don't use.
Vista is notably slower than XP, plus it has ludicrous problems like the file copying one. It makes no sense at all to buy new, faster hardware only to have it clogged by a sluggish operating system that leaves you with a machine which is actually slower than previous generation's ones.
Quick! Someone call the incorrect statement police!
Vista is better than XP for a modern system - it's safer, prettier, has DirectX 10, a much better search function and many other features. In addition SP1 has sorted out the vast majority of problems.
However, the file transfer speed is still a bit slow - although not drastically so - but should get better.
Would I go back to XP? Would I bollocks.
"It's lunacy to chose XP."
Unless you want to use one of the numerous pieces of software that's still no compatible with Vista.
Not on the brand new Vaio my missus just got. Vista is just a little sluggish, and seems to get more sluggish over time (after uninstalling all the Sony bloatware, and installing Office 2003 -- nothing else).
UAC is just annoying, the 3D app switcher just pointless, and the new Aero UI just seems to take up more valuable screen real-estate (on a 13.3" laptop).
It'll probably be upgraded to XP now that Sony have released all the necessary drivers.
Me? I'm just glad I moved to OS X last year...!
@Rich
So... care to name some?
@Richy
What specs has the Vaio got?
OMGD.. I hate Vista its a Joke, Windows XP works fine, I can't imagine using Vista with our older Programs, they dont work with Vista now.
Vista = Loser OS WTB Windows 7 or 8 LOL.
ok ok.... some clearing up to do...
Vista 32-bit sucks. I mean what do you expect from a last minute done OS.
In the other hand Vista 64-bit surpasses in all fields XP, even XP-64-bit edition (ok maybe not networking... but its not slow, its the same speed, form my testing)
I strongly suggest to anyone that uses Vista 32-bit to switch to 64-bit. You can use the same product key. Just ask a friend for any edition (all the disk are the same, the product key is what decide which edition to install) of Vista 64-bit, and upgrade. HOWEVER, you have to make sure that all your devices including printer, scanner,etc.. has Vista 64-bit drivers.
Vista 64-bit is so good, that most problems reported only affected Vista 32-bit. I say Microsoft should have never released the 32-bit edition.
Anyway, a new system containing with new technologies (nothing old), with a video card that can actually render some sort of Cube and basic effects (in other words all Intel video cards, expect for the 3100 model which is more then enough), latest BIOS architecture and motherboard chipset, 2Gb of RAM (if you have bellow 2GB of RAM, you need to disable superfetch and Windows defender (Vista should use about 300MB of RAM) will have Vista running just as well as XP if not better. (for me it's much better) Don't believe me?
http://pages.infinit.net/eps/vista.PNG
(yea Vista running Vista, and no system slow down here)
If you have Vista Business or Ultimate you can access gpedit.msc panel, and you can really customize Vista. Home Premium need to play with the registry.
Also when you get Vista make SURE you have the latest drivers. Not on Windows update, on the actually company website that made the device.
Example: if you have an ASUS Geforce 8800, go to Nvidia website, not on ASUS nor Windows Update.
If I made Vista run smoothly on a PIII 800Mhz with 512MB with a Radeon 7000, then don't see the problem. Granted it was hell to make it run smoothly as Vista, by default enables everything... but it works. If you spend some time with it, you can really make Vista lighter. In my main system, AMD Athlon 64 4400+ Socket 939, Geforce 8800, 2Gb fo RAM, nForce 4 16X SLI chipset, I only disabled Media center services as I don't use it, however it runs way better then XP. And let's not talk about install time, as Vista installs so fast it's not funny.
If you use Vista, also check this free tool from Microsoft called Autorun:
This tool allows you to change what runs at Windows boot, Windows loading, account loading, drivers and more... I can tell you can clean up all the mess that bad drivers installed (ie: on the X-fi, it loads a punch of effect plug-in at Windows startup... I don't use them, so I remove them all, I saved about 1sec at Windows loading)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
What is new in Vista.. ok lets see.. Windows XP is based on the good old NT dated from 1993 if I am correct, where security was not a high priority for Microsoft. This is why now a 8 year old kid can easily make hacks and virus for Windows. Vista new core is well a bran new core, started from scratch. So for sure some code optimization is lost. But as a software developer I can tell you that when you re-do something it tends to be better, even when your goal is not to add a thing.
Improved (about time) memory management.. now you can use all your RAM unlike XP, where your application crashes (if pagefile is disabled when you reach 80-95% of your RAM). Moreover, Vista manage memory significantly better to a point that even expert agrees that Windows memory management is actuall descent compared to other OS, XP and older Windows was always abysmal (wasn't that a complain?!), every Windows process and core (kernal) is programed to use your multi-core CPU (XP is single core, meaning a Windows process can either go on core 1 or 2, not using both simultaneously), per application volume control (wasn't that a complain that Windows XP was missing?!), A UI that uses a video card like it should, NOT your CPU (wasn't that also a complain?! and the main reasons why gamers usually tend to disable XP them to gain free CPU), instant search, proper search system (no more dogs and whatever crap), flip3D, improved tablet PC features, speach recognition, (may I say it works dam well when you have a good microphone and you configured it well). New Start menu organization.. the second you get use to it, you like it more then XP.Wait I am not done! Folder structure organization... can anyone tell me how many Application data their is in XP? Well in Vista, by default on a clean install, you only have 1, and it is in your profile folder. "Time-machine" like feature that works per files, folder, drive, or hole system (kinda more advance then MAC OS time machine). Auto-backup features, Complete PC backup, improved multiple monitor support, improved wireless system... support several clocks, side bar, easy to backup yourself your computer (again, just backup your profile, it even contains all your application configuration inside, so you won't need to have fun reconfiguration everything). Memory diagnostic tool, Windows repair know diagnostic the problem and repairs it, unlike XP it just re-install a bunch of files and destroy your system, disk Manager, REAL firewall.
ok I can go on...
So... What was new on XP... Theme, wireless manager, minor bug fix, Windows repair, """firewall""" (with SP2)... and.... well that is pretty much it. You did not really complain did you...
Next time, why don't you stop reading Mac and linux fan boy that have no life and create 20 accounts and goes everywhere on the internet that says Vista sucks, and ACTUALLY use it!
Fix:
"in other words all Intel video cards, expect for the 3100 model which is more then enough"
I want to say, that all Intel video card are not capable of doing this, except the Intel 3100 model.
"however it runs way better then XP"
however, it runs way better than XP
"punch of effects"
Stupid Firefox spell check... I mean "a bunch"
"you like it more then XP"
You will like it more than XP
"It's lunacy to chose XP".
Well, I will happily continue to howl at the moon each month! Love XP, hate Vista...