performance, hard facts - XP and Vista

[whitedragon101]

I have read many threads on choosing XP or Vista but almost all go off topic and get at best one or two good recommendations unfortunately often in different directions. So I thought a series of direct questions would be handy. Then if they get answered definatively it could be a reference for anyone asking this question:

Assuming this is on a new 2.5ghz macbook pro (or old macbook pro if no data yet exists) and using either Vista 32 or XP 32 (i have found most threads immediately dygress into 64bit questions)

1) Which is faster for games on bootcamp, XP or Vista and by how much? (benchmarks would be handy)

2) For general use e.g web browsing, photo editing, office apps, multiple windows open, which is faster XP or Vista and by how much?

3) Will Vista run ok on vmware fusion/ parralels or is XP much faster? (again benchmarks would be useful).

Thanks guys

 

[Stridder44]

I have read many threads on choosing XP or Vista but almost all go off topic and get at best one or two good recommendations unfortunately often in different directions. So I thought a series of direct questions would be handy. Then if they get answered definatively it could be a reference for anyone asking this question:

Assuming this is on a new 2.5ghz macbook pro (or old macbook pro if no data yet exists) and using either Vista 32 or XP 32 (i have found most threads immediately dygress into 64bit questions)

1) Which is faster for games on bootcamp, XP or Vista and by how much? (benchmarks would be handy)

2) For general use e.g web browsing, photo editing, office apps, multiple windows open, which is faster XP or Vista and by how much?

3) Will Vista run ok on vmware fusion/ parralels or is XP much faster? (again benchmarks would be useful).

Thanks guys

On the contrary, Vista 64 is very fast and stable. For gaming: Boot Camp, hands down. A good rule of thumb right now:

If you're going 32-bit, go for XP.
If you're going 64-bit, go for Vista.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

Yea, XP was very stable. Still is in fact.
Vista 32 is the worst. However, 64 is very solid.