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vista or xp ;)
- Thread starter miklagio777
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I have XP on my work machine, Vista 64 on mt workstation and Vista 32 on my home laptop. With the 4GB of ram you can make use of all 4GB with Vista 64 but no major loss if you only run Vista 32.
Depending on your Windows abilities, I would say XP is the simpliest of the two and generally less memory intensive, Vista isn't the worst thing in the world unlike what you may otherwise here but the nagging prompts asking you to approve changes do get old.
If everything you intend to install works with XP then stick with that. At some point you would probably consider Windows 7, improved memory usage and smaller potential footprint might be desirable.
Either way, I suggest you download the latest service pack for which ever OS you decide to go with and install that ASAP after the install so it will reduce the number of patches you need to download/install. I think on a fresh XP install with no SPs you will probably go through 4 or 5 reboots.
Depending on your Windows abilities, I would say XP is the simpliest of the two and generally less memory intensive, Vista isn't the worst thing in the world unlike what you may otherwise here but the nagging prompts asking you to approve changes do get old.
If everything you intend to install works with XP then stick with that. At some point you would probably consider Windows 7, improved memory usage and smaller potential footprint might be desirable.
Either way, I suggest you download the latest service pack for which ever OS you decide to go with and install that ASAP after the install so it will reduce the number of patches you need to download/install. I think on a fresh XP install with no SPs you will probably go through 4 or 5 reboots.
I only use vista for games. Technically, all of them take advantage of it since without 64 bit you can't use more than 3.2gb RAM I believe. If you have newer hardware, why would you opt to run older software? Why not keep on using Tiger instead of Leopard? Vista does have some nice features, looks better and if you're going to use Vista and have 4gb ram, it doesn't really make any sense to get the 32 bit version. 64 bit also runs 32 bit programs, and more and more programs are going 64 bit so it makes sense (at least to me it does).
Ah, I haven't tried Fusion at all. That's bad to know though because I planned on running either Fusion or Parallels. I'll have to look into this to see which is better.
Lots of people bring up the vista footprint issue compared to xp. Back in 2001, I bought a VAIO desktop which had a 60GB hard drive in it (also 4200RPM HD). Back then vista would have been a big deal if it took up 10gb of space. Now I've got a notebook (unibody MBP) and it has a 320gb hard drive (7200rpm). 10gb is nothing in comparison (in my opinion). By the time I run out of space, I'll probably have a TB in here. I know they're up to 500GB for notebooks already so it won't be long.
The same can be said for memory. Sure, vista takes up more memory but look how much memory is standard now. I've got 4gb ram that came with my computer, and I used to have 1gb in my vaio in 2001. It's all relative to what you've got.
I do agree though, if you're happy with XP then stick with it. It all depends on what you want to do with it. If you run all really old programs then stick with XP. If you want to run newer programs, go with vista. I just want the OP and anyone else wondering about this to have all of the facts.
Have ever SEEN or USED Windows 7 in order to make that assumption?? I am using it as a dual boot with an XP machine, and it is MUCH better than Vista in every aspect. You should use stuff before making such assumptions. And most people that use it and know about it think it might actually be out SOONER than expected, not later.
I had to go with Vista. For some reason, in XP, the wireless Broadcom drivers in Bootcamp do not work for my aluminum MBP. I suspect there is some incompatibility between the DLink router and the drivers.