Microsoft Vista worth getting?

[Theresa]

Does anyone have any advice re: Microsoft Vista? I am looking into buying a new computer (mine is at least nine years old!) and am wondering if I should just get Microsoft Windows XP installed on it instead of Vista. I've heard that Vista requires a huge amount of resources and that it is a tremendous power hog. Any comments, etc?

[Aliya]

My IT guy says wait until SP1 is released. He loves Vista, but some software still doesn't work, he has constant driver problems and he has to occasionally switch his monitors to analog. Admittedly, he is not the average user, but he has recommended we all wait.

Dell (I think) has told MS that they had to make XP available to them again for new computers until Vista is stable. Apparently their support costs skyrocketed with Vista.

[Kung]

What Aliya says. The fact that they virtually IMMEDIATELY returned XP back to the shelves after Vista came out says, at the least, that the learning curve is big enough with Vista, and there remain enough problems, that it's going to take a bit longer than planned to get bugs worked out and the like.

[Hootmon]

I wouldnt buy Vista yet if you already have XP. If you new machine comes with Vista, and you arent a big Gamer, its probably not a bad deal. Presumably they wouldnt be bundling Vista with unsupported hardware.

Caveat Emptor

[zzdust]

If it's a new machine, get Vista with it. The hardware & software will have been tested together, and everything should be cool (no driver issues etc).

Vista provides additional security defences not found with XP.

[Sid]

I bought a new computer with Vista Home Premium in February and absolutely love it.

I have heard that Vista Home Basic is something to steer away from, go either Home Premium or Ultimate.

[Hootmon]

Yeah. Home Premium would be the best choice for most people assuming your machine is beefy enough to run it. Home Basic is for older or underpowered machines.

[UNA_Lion]

Does anyone have any advice re: Microsoft Vista? I am looking into buying a new computer (mine is at least nine years old!) and am wondering if I should just get Microsoft Windows XP installed on it instead of Vista. I've heard that Vista requires a huge amount of resources and that it is a tremendous power hog. Any comments, etc?

If you have a choice, I'd go with XP. Lots of drivers missing for Vista yet. As for security, you can download a free version of Zone Alarm that is just as good, if not better, than that native to Vista.

[Theresa]

Thanks for the advice. I may have to just get the tower at this time, and use my existing monitor, etc. From what I've read above, that means I probably shouldn't get Vista then, right? Thanks!!

[Sid]

Thanks for the advice. I may have to just get the tower at this time, and use my existing monitor, etc. From what I've read above, that means I probably shouldn't get Vista then, right? Thanks!!


If you are getting a new computer, go Vista.

I remember when XP first came out, SP1 should have come in the same box.

Why buy legacy equipment, brand new?