Windows XP Pro vs Windows Vista

[Hugh]

Hi guys, I thought you might be able to help me with deciding on which copy of Windows I should buy.

Right now I own a Windows XP PRO (sp1) on my Mini. I'm going to put this on my new MacBook, I wanted to be legal and was looking at getting a another copy of XP. But I found out that the prices on Windows XP are higher then Vista depending on what version you choose.

My one friend keeps telling me that I should get Vista Because MS will drop supporting Windows XP in about 2 years. Is Vista really worth it?

Thanks for your input.

Hugh

 

[Schtumple]

Go for xp, its got tons of software and hardware support (printers etc) where as vista is a bit hit and miss, plus you can easily find xp pro for cheap, buy it oem.

 

[htdefiant]

I would get XP Pro SP2, if I were you. The lack of support two years down the road is nothing to worry about at the moment. The speed and stability you get with XP is worth the price.

 

[GuntherS]

Some people say Windows XP SP2 is better while others say Windows Vista is better...
What software do you run? Is everything fully Windows Vista capable?

Windows Vista looks better then XP, but it requires a lot more power from your computer. However, your new MacBook should run Windows Vista really good. Most programs will now be Windows Vista capable. I installed it on a friends MacBook because of VB.net programming at school and it works really great. But remember, it's not Mac OS X so you need to protect yourself from viruses and stuff..

 

[stomer]

I'd say that unless Vista has a feature that you absolutely must have, then I would say stick with Windows XP.

By the time the support for XP ends, there might be a new version of Windows that would be worth buying.

 

[hankolerd]

I have vista, I use it for nothing but gaming, and it works fine for me. I chose it because i knew someday microsoft wasn't going to support xp as much anymore, though, the way it seems now, they are still holding onto xp.
I can get either for $5 from my school, but unfortunately I don't think I can upgrade to xp from vista.

With SP3 coming soon, there are rumors that XP users will see generous speed bumps throught the OS, and its probably only about 6 months away. Vista SP1 is coming out too though, I haven't really heard much about it though..

I think Vista is a little more of a joy to use than XP, even though they are so much the same. I just turned off all the alerts and crap. seems like Vista is a little more network friendly.

 

[Phatpat]

I was having major problems with Pro/Engineer and AutoCAD under Vista. I'm running XP now. For all the talk by the Apple fanboys, it's a pretty solid OS.

 

[TurboSC]

XPX gets my vote. as mentioned before, unless you HAVE to use Vista for certain applications I wouldn't go near it in its current state.

 

[Hugh]

Yes, I know it's not Mac OS X, but I was wondering which Windows to go. I am too doing VB.net in school and they are talking about upgrading to Vista over the Christmas vacation. I can't see why I would have to use Vista though...

Hugh

Some people say Windows XP SP2 is better while others say Windows Vista is better...
What software do you run? Is everything fully Windows Vista capable?

Windows Vista looks better then XP, but it requires a lot more power from your computer. However, your new MacBook should run Windows Vista really good. Most programs will now be Windows Vista capable. I installed it on a friends MacBook because of VB.net programming at school and it works really great. But remember, it's not Mac OS X so you need to protect yourself from viruses and stuff..

 

[GuntherS]

Actually, it doesn't matter what version of Windows you choose.
The important thing is that you can run all the apps you need.
VB.net works fine on both XP and Vista.

Do you always want the newest? Go for Vista.
Do you want a stable OS that has proven itself? Go for XP.

 

[tersono]

I make my living working as a Windows sysadmin, and right now we're still buying XP.

Vista has a number of improvements over XP - notably security, but conversely there are still some limitations in terms of driver and software compatibility, although if you're running just mainstream apps and games, that shouldn't affect you too badly.

The main reason we're sticking with XP for now, however, is the biggie - performance under Vista is significantly slower in almost every area. I've recently run a number of tests using both the shipping version and the SP1 Beta and XP trounces it by a very noticeable margin.

Ultimately, though, it depends on your priorities. Both are decent, workable OSs. If you're fond of eye-candy, then go for Vista (note that you'll need Vista Business or Ultimate if you want to use it under Parallels or VMWare Fusion - the licence doesn't permit the use of home versions under virtualisation), but otherwise I'd stick with XP Pro.

 

[Hugh]

Sticking to XP Pro

I think I will be sticking with Windows XP Pro. I don't need the eye candy, not to mention I do have some older printers that work great under XP now. I would hate to go though hoops, just to print out my class work.

Again thanks to all that replied!

Hugh

I make my living working as a Windows sysadmin, and right now we're still buying XP.

Vista has a number of improvements over XP - notably security, but conversely there are still some limitations in terms of driver and software compatibility, although if you're running just mainstream apps and games, that shouldn't affect you too badly.

The main reason we're sticking with XP for now, however, is the biggie - performance under Vista is significantly slower in almost every area. I've recently run a number of tests using both the shipping version and the SP1 Beta and XP trounces it by a very noticeable margin.

Ultimately, though, it depends on your priorities. Both are decent, workable OSs. If you're fond of eye-candy, then go for Vista (note that you'll need Vista Business or Ultimate if you want to use it under Parallels or VMWare Fusion - the licence doesn't permit the use of home versions under virtualisation), but otherwise I'd stick with XP Pro.

 

[125037]

Some people say Windows XP SP2 is better while others say Windows Vista is better...
What software do you run? Is everything fully Windows Vista capable?

Windows Vista looks better then XP, but it requires a lot more power from your computer. However, your new MacBook should run Windows Vista really good. Most programs will now be Windows Vista capable. I installed it on a friends MacBook because of VB.net programming at school and it works really great. But remember, it's not Mac OS X so you need to protect yourself from viruses and stuff..

vista is comming along and now, some thing are only compatable with vista, not xp. It is evolving and just like when xp came out there were problems and complaints and compatability issues, i personally have vista, and i like it, frequent updates are making compatibility issues less of a problem.

 

[GuntherS]

vista is comming along and now, some thing are only compatable with vista, not xp. It is evolving and just like when xp came out there were problems and complaints and compatability issues, i personally have vista, and i like it, frequent updates are making compatibility issues less of a problem.

Yep, you're absolutely right.
I also have Vista (BootCamp on my Mac) and also XP SP2 on my Dell laptop.
Some programs only work in XP, some only work in Vista, but most programs will work on both.

 

[JFreak]

It is evolving and just like when xp came out there were problems and complaints and compatability issues

Okay, something's wrong.

If Windows is evolving and both XP and VISTA had problems, complaints and issues when they were released and if Windows is evolving, then the direction seems a little bad. If a new system has more problems, complaints and issues it surely looks good for IT support staff job-security-wise but for other people forced to use Windows... Bad!

But if you meant that Windows is evolving from "utter crap" that it is out of the box to "workable" system after about 5 years of bug fixes, then I can understand the point; not that it's flattering for Microsoft either way.

 

[iJawn108]

Why not slipstream your windows btw?

its really easy to be honest.

 

[jrnewhouse]

Hi guys, I thought you might be able to help me with deciding on which copy of Windows I should buy.

Right now I own a Windows XP PRO (sp1) on my Mini. I'm going to put this on my new MacBook, I wanted to be legal and was looking at getting a another copy of XP. But I found out that the prices on Windows XP are higher then Vista depending on what version you choose.

My one friend keeps telling me that I should get Vista Because MS will drop supporting Windows XP in about 2 years. Is Vista really worth it?

Thanks for your input.

Hugh

Personally, I have been running Vista Home Premium on my Mac, and I haven't had any problems with it. I can run high end games with no slowdown, and Office 2007 works flawlessly. Just my 2 cents.

 

[littlewaywelt]

Ultimately, though, it depends on your priorities. Both are decent, workable OSs. If you're fond of eye-candy, then go for Vista (note that you'll need Vista Business or Ultimate if you want to use it under Parallels or VMWare Fusion - the licence doesn't permit the use of home versions under virtualisation), but otherwise I'd stick with XP Pro.

Will XP home OEM work with Parallels?