Vista / XP - which one you choose?

[Boyboy]

Is time to annual computer clean up...
Using xp sp2 now... but thinking should I upgrade to Vista?
p.s. My computer has enough power to use Vista, just worry software and hardware compatibility

[hightech]

Stick with XP and install SP3 when it is released (not the Beta 2 version)

[willy]

How about both (dual boot) ?

[rogeryen]

if you have doubts then just stay with xp.
I now have vista on both my laptop and desktop, they work pretty fine.

[Amuse]

Vista on my new system. I like it

[bargain4me]

Vista is still a work in progress, but getting better. If you have a decent newer PC, might as well take the plunge. I fine it's only hard finding drivers for older hardware.

[snplow]

Hmm, Vista can be nice with certain tweaks if you get beyond the Home Basic Version. The Alt-Tab now features a preview of each window, and with a reg edit, you can get the windows to be a little bit bigger. Also, if you have any Logitech input device (mouse/keyboard) with Setpoint installed, you can get it to kinda mimic OS X's Expose (I have Setpoint map the middle scroll wheel button to Alt+Shift+Tab which brings up the Alt Tab menu with the larger preview thumbnails and it will stay there [without you holding down the keys] until you click the window you want or click outside the menu).

That being said, there are some driver issues. My internet was extremely slow after a Windows Update (took me forever to find out that its better to roll back the drivers) and my sound does not come out properly on my SB Live! Value until I had to do some funky stuff (tell the comp I have a 7.1 surround system and disable all the speakers except for the L and R...)

[board123]

All of my machines run Vista SP1 with no problems. I'm one of those Vista guys.

[phucyall]

If you have to ask (meaning you are not a hopeless Vista fanboy) then stick to XP. The eye candy in Vista is not worth the terrible problems associated with it.

You know there are problems with OS when Microsoft officially pulls SP1 from automatic updates because it just breaks the OS even more then it already is.

Microsoft pushed out a sub par product that was about a year short of complete development (if it was finished, it would still be sub par, just less buggy). Now they rushed out SP1 and instead of improving the functionality of an unfinished product they just tried to patch up holes.

[Zertz]

Vista works perfectly if you have atleast 2GB of RAM and a decent CPU.

[board123]

You know there are problems with OS when Microsoft officially pulls SP1 from automatic updates because it just breaks the OS even more then it already is.

It was one of the SP1 prerequisite installers causing problems, not SP1 itself. The official release for SP1 was in March, and still is. People who are running SP1 right now got it through other means.

[AcidBomber]

Personally I enjoy Vista better, for the looks and user-friendly features.

[skuric]

My laptop came with Vista, and I had no problems with it BUT I could not justify the ~700MB idle usage. So I switched to XP... I don't game on this laptop or need any special apps so the only real difference for me was that I have more RAM now, which is great.

When MS stops supporting XP I'm switching to Linux once and for all. Even though Vista runs fine on my hardware, I admire developers who go for the less bloated, community-driven and lightweight route. I think Einstein's quote applies here:

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."

[gordholio]

Vista works perfectly if you have atleast 2GB of RAM and a decent CPU.

The thing is that you shouldn't need to have 2 GB of memory to run an operating system to do basic things. I had Vista Home Premium installed (legitimate disc) and even with 4 GB of memory it was not that fast. I eventually bought a legitimate copy of XP and it does run faster and I like it better. I do keep my theme - Royale, but I turn off some of the special effects like fading windows and other stuff that slows things down.
I have also disabled the unnecessary services in XP to speed things up.
One of the things besides the speed issue with Vista that I didn't like, was not being able to change the taskbar to a colour other than black (without downloading another theme that totally changed everything).
I found the black very depressing. I like the nice blue in XP much better.

[board123]

One of the things besides the speed issue with Vista that I didn't like, was not being able to change the taskbar to a colour other than black (without downloading another theme that totally changed everything).
I found the black very depressing. I like the nice blue in XP much better.

First time I've heard this. I personally think XP looks like ass (both Luna and Royale) compared to Aero. When I used to use XP, I had a Windowblinds theme that looked somewhat like Aero. That was way before Vista even came out, by the way.

I guess it's hard to please everyone.