Which to Install: Vista or XP

Kernunos

Alright so I did a basic search but could not find any topics related to this, if there already is a page you know about could you point me in the right direction.

I am ordering a new PC this week and getting it without an OS. The specs are

CORE-2-QUAD 4x2,67Ghz Q6700/ATI HD4850 512MB /4096MB/500G

I am just wondering whether or not I should install Vista or XP as I have access to both. I have never used a computer with Vista but I heard that there has been some teething difficulties with it. I am only using the computer for college and a few low-end games so which would ye reccommend?

MooseJam

Vista, xp is old technology, I'd only recommend it if the hardware was low spec but yours is top notch

JonathanAnon

XP is stable and trusted technology. Question is do you have software/documents on an old PC that you need to move to the new PC? Vista is fine if it's your first PC but if you need backward compatability, Vista will leave you high and dry.

Kernunos

thanks for the replies. I am starting with a pretty clean slate, just need the computer for college and maybe some casual gaming, so all I will be bringing from my old laptop is pictures, music and one or two games.. Ye both have good points, even if they point seperate directions; Vista is the new technolgy and will be the most use in the future, XP however is stable and if it aint broke?

BKtje

Only thing Vista won't really work with is old hardware (such as printers etc), vista is stable for the majority of people.

XP is old news and i really don't see any reason for you to go with it. Do some research on vista's features and then decide whether or not they are worth it. From a hardware perspective you won't have any problems running vista or doing uni work. I assume any printers in your college/uni will work with vista, if you ain't sure check with your it department.

Jonathan

Vista.

calex71

originally i set myself up a dual boot of xp/vista as a just in case measure. Cant recall the last time i had boot to xp on it to be honest. I have no issues in vista and im on a 3 yr old mid range spec pc :eek: i actually miss some little things if im on an xp machine.

Overheal

The only time Vista failed me was when trying to interface with a circa 2002 flatbed scanner, and only because HP had no intention of supporting a vista driver for such an old piece of equipment: thats not to say some coding guru out there hadnt created a vista ready driver for it, but for a lot o old hardware its unlikely.

On the other hand XP drivers dont exist for some newer hardware, and this is a problem for lots of laptop consumers.

I'd go with Vista personally. Some of the new features will suprise you.

Capt'n Midnight

Overheal wrote: »

thats not to say some coding guru out there hadnt created a vista ready driver for it, but for a lot o old hardware its unlikely

there is the whole signing drivers thing which makes it a little more difficult
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/drvsign/drvsign.mspx

also creative didn't like it when someone wrote drivers
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/31/creative_labs_developer_legal_action/

BleedTheF!FtH

If i were u i would go with xp. I have vista on a reasonably good spec laptop and its pretty ****ty. Cant use alot of my old software on it. It seems slow and faulty at times also.

Meh.. thats just my opinion

unnameduser

i used to be one of the "stick to XP" crew but i have finally bitten the bullet and ordered Vista. Time to move on I guess.

If you are really unsure you could set up a dual boot so you have the best of both worlds. XP will always be there if you need it. When a business customer asks me this question my head and heart tell me two different things.

Anyhu, you shouldnt really have any real difficulty with vista as you have good specs.

Capt'n Midnight

unnameduser wrote: »

i used to be one of the "stick to XP" crew but i have finally bitten the bullet and ordered Vista. Time to move on I guess.

If you are really unsure you could set up a dual boot so you have the best of both worlds. XP will always be there if you need it. When a business customer asks me this question my head and heart tell me two different things.

Anyhu, you shouldnt really have any real difficulty with vista as you have good specs.

Don't forget you need TWO licenses if you want to dual boot.