Windows Vista: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now?
- 1/16/09 4:11 PM
Growing Pains
by cnetmessageman - 1/17/09 9:08 AM In reply to: Forget it... Microsoft isn't what it was years ago: by gmayer0While I might have agreed with you via personal experience even up to about 2 months ago, I am now in agreement with those favourable to Vista. The fault for most of the negative feedback lies with badly written drivers (poor/weak driver support) and in some cases under powered hardware systems. Historically this was also the case with Windows XP which really didn't impress until AFTER SP1.
I am now seeing the same path with Vista. In fact, on identical hardware, with essential the same software applications installed, the Windows Vista SP1 system now outperforms the Windows XP Pro SP3 system (with the exception of a longer boot-up to the user log-in screen).
The systems are Dell Dimension 531s that were purchase in July 2007 (CPU = AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+, RAM = 2GB 800MHz DDR2, VIDEO = XFX NVIDIA Geforce 8600 GT w 128MB, HD = 2 x 500GB 7200rpm in RAID-1 array)
Wait!
by john3347 - 1/16/09 8:54 PM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First, let me give you a word that may contain some opinion that is slightly off the beaten path. You have, far and away the most stable, smoothest, easiest-to-live-with operating system that Microsoft has ever produced. I wish I still had a copy of Windows 2000 Pro.
I am working with a beta copy of Windows 7. My initial impression is that it has retained several characteristics of Vista. This is a negative. It is no more stable than Vista - perhaps even less stable. By and large, the look and feel is still Vista. This is a negative. The file system (how it handles and displays your saved files and folders) does not seem to be improved over Vista. This is a negative. There are several software incompatibilities that didn't exist even in Vista. This is a negative. 7 has a completely new taskbar that is a huge improvement over everything previous. This is a significant positive.
I am not sure at this point whether the instability is caused by Windows 7 beta or Internet Explorer 8 beta, but I have to re-boot quite frequently. All in all, If I had a copy of Windows 2000 Pro and it already paid for, and would have to spend market price to move to XP, Vista, or to Windows 7 beta I would remain with 2000 Pro. I would hope to be safe in assuming that a lot of what is negative about Windows 7 beta will be corrected before the final version and based on this assumption, I would avoid Vista at all costs. Windows 7 needs work before public introduction, but it shows much more promise than Vista.
What instability?
by Brons2 - 1/17/09 1:23 AM In reply to: Wait! by john3347Windows 7 runs stable as a rock on my old desktop, my new laptop, my test machine at work, etc. I've installed lots of programs. The only thing I had a problem with was trying to load XP video drivers into Windows7 for an old GeForce3 Ti200 which was dumb on my part to begin with 
(but the card works fine with the Standard VGA Adapter at 1024x768).
What I would do
by Webgenie - 1/16/09 8:56 PM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I wouldn't move on to Vista, and while I was excited briefly about Windows 7, I heard that it is based on Vista but named differently for marketing purposes. Vista has apparently been a dismal failure. If there is any way you can keep and upgrade your current computer, I'd say that is the way to go. If I were absolutely forced to get a new computer, I'd wait to hear more about Windows 7 and also look into Mac and Linux systems.
XP Now, Windows 7 later
by Rabear2010 - 1/16/09 9:14 PM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have many of my machines running XP Pro and love them. They are fast and very reliable.
I also have 2 of my machines running Vista Ultimate. It is now finally stable but still takes a lot of resources.
I have one machine running Windows 7 Ultimate (Beta) and it is without a doubt the most stable pre-released (nothing like Vista in the early release) software I have ever tested. Since installing it it has not crashed once. The performance seems to be on par with my XP Pro machines. Granted I have not tested a lot of different software packages with it so far, but is has been rock solid. It still uses the Vista kernel without all the bloatware. I think Microsoft is going to have a real winner with it.
So it is up to you, but if it were me I say XP now and upgrade to Win 7 when available if performance is important. If not, Vista is not bad, the others are just better.
Enough Window OS upgrades.....
by pt1209 - 1/16/09 9:30 PM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
To be totally honest I am getting tired of MS Windows, I've done Windows OS since Windows 3.0 and with each "upgrade" it gets more buggy and resource hungry. We bought our daughter a MacBook (her choice) for college this year and honestly it is more stable, powerful and easy to use then any windows OS to date. I honestly think my next upgrade will not be to Windows 7 but to a Mac!! What's next, Windows 8 in two years?? Not again..
Wait Until Closer To The Release Of Windows 7
by Hovi1768 - 1/16/09 9:37 PM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Then you will find that Vista loaded systems will hit rock bottom prices, as vendors look to move them for the new OS.
This will be even more of a deal than normal, because Vista has been such an unpopular system that retailers will want them gone & forgotten.
So then pick up a top notch system.
There are also a few other things to consider to make it worth the wait as well.
Namely Faster Quad-core processors will have become the standard,
as well as the battle between the 2 graphic chip companies
ATI & Nvidia, who keep upping the ante, & making beautiful graphics that were once only for video game enthusiasts, a standard for mainstream systems.
I would give it until about August, & then start seriously looking to purchase a Vista machine.
Personally I have found Vista a joy.
Once in awhile there have been crashes. Aside from this it has been great.
The key to Vista really is just right click.
You can pretty much work around most minor issues with a simple right click then properties choice.
They have a compatibility tab there that allows you to run older programs. Works like a charm for me.
I have several older programs that I use daily, without a hitch, running them in XP mode.
I also have a machine with 4 gigs of ram, which I would highly suggest having for the new machine even if you do upgrade to windows 7.
Also & i'm sure you know this
New Windows systems on release are filled with bugs.
So wait until the first series of patches before upgrading to Windows 7.
Never be the first for a MS Product
by eric_otto - 1/16/09 10:57 PM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Rule of thumb has been for a lot experienced of people who use MICROSOFT products is not to be the first person on the block. Usually it is a two year process to work out the bugs. By Service Pack 2 or 3, the product is usually stable as much as Window can be. If the product is so bad -- trust me VISTA is not a great one -- they usually will discontinue it and move onto the next one calling it something else.
I don't know how they go about, but from DOS to Windows95 to VISTA, it doesn't seem like they know how to get the bugs out of the product before releasing it. Perhaps mass releasing is the testing, as a friend of mine use to joke.
Even though MS offers some telephone assistance, when a new release comes, it usually is understaffed or they will blame your box for the problem.
So wait if you can before purchasing and see if the product has staying power. Also, before you convert, be sure that what you are running now will run on it. VISTA had a lot of problems with backward compatibility. It was Bill's way of selling more product I guess. And there is lag time between say a non MS vendor has to work out the patches for their product to work well with the new MS OS.
On the other hand, consider moving over to Apple or Linux. The platforms are more stable. There are versions of Linux that will run XP programs and there are ways to install XP on an Apple computer where they run better because of better memory management.
Wait.
A Man after my own heart
by thebondservant - 1/16/09 11:19 PM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well Jerome. While I do have 2 laptops less than 2 years old, one running XP Pro and the other Vista Business, my desktop is nearly 8 years old. PIII with 756 ram, AND, I'm running a dual boot, Windows 2000 and XP.... She's still alive (lol...if you want to call it that). I do understand you're question. I built my desktop so it's special to me.
XP is stable, Vista isn't at much but you'll be fine. Microsoft is never on time with their new releases and even if they happen to hit the target this time, you won't want Windows 7 until the first major service pack has been released. Think 18 months from now. But don't despair!
If you really need a new PC, just wait till mid-year and/or when the free upgrade offers to Windows 7 happen and buy your Vista machine and get used to the new look and feel. Vista is quite a visual departure from Windows 2000. Get lots of ram, at least 4GB (2GB is fine but more is better with Vista). Plus, just 6 months from now you'll be able to get more PC for your money.
Back up your data on your current box, you don't want to have any accidents. External USB hard drives are great for that and you can use that with anything in the future.
I could go on and on as to why and all the suggestions you've been give have merit, but, if you're comforable with Microsoft and want to continue..... rock on
Vista or Windows 7?
by Fatboy71 - 1/17/09 12:36 AM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have had my PC since Feb 2008, I have Vista Ultimate on it and I have to say I love it, much, much easier than XP and from using XP from 2003 till 2008 I prefer Vista much better.
To be honest from what I have read, Windows 7 is going to be an evolution of Vista rather than a revolution, fair enough Windows 7 is supposed to be having the option of touchscreen, but I for one would not want to have to touch my glossy monitor screen everytime I wanted to do something, the fingerprints would drive me mad.
Has for any Operating system when its released, they will be bugs and some incompatibility issues which will take some time to be ironed out, so add this to the time it is till Windows 7 is supposed to be released and I can imagine that you are talking roundabouts 2 years, can you really wait that long?
I am using the Windows7 public beta now
by Brons2 - 1/17/09 1:12 AM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I think it's worthwhile to wait for Windows7 if you have a working PC right now. The Windows7 beta is running really good on my 5 year old AthlonXP machine with only 1GB of RAM. Microsoft has really tweaked things under the hood to make it run faster.
However, if you have a need for a new PC right now, then don't hesitate on getting Vista. It does require more RAM to run than Windows7 but many of the modern PC's now come with a minimum of 2-3GB of RAM. Vista will run fine with that amount. I bought my parents an HP Slimline with 3GB of RAM and Vista 64bit for Christmas and they love it.
should i replace my pc now or wait till windows 7 comes out
by mpatz1 - 1/17/09 4:12 AM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
windows vista needs to be setup properly many people chose too ignore the simple fact that you donot run in admin mode if your pc is completly worn out and you need too replace it right now then any vista machine will do . ive built my own systems can not see what all the nay sayers are talking about vista problems the system is fun and enjoyable too use . Im testing windows 7 on my machine and as it does look good it is in early beta stages so who knows when it actually will come out . xp is dead in the water as far as im concerned it has problems with many viruses,worms and it does not have the ability too stop or slow down botnet attacks as for linux when they can get a os that comes complete with proper drivers and can run programs without emulatig windows will it become a viable alternative to windows
Should I wait for Windows 7 or move to Vista Now?
by afro2358 - 1/17/09 4:38 AM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you ever heard of bad things about Windows Vista, You will not like Windows 7. If you can put Windows XP on your Computer, i would do it. I have Windows Vista Upgrade on my computer desk in which i had Dell take it off my machine (it's a piece of junk). Microsoft burned me for $156.00, they won't burn me again. If you got the money and don't mind getting burned by Microsoft, be my guess, but, i learned my lesson. Or, if you want to try the Beta Version of Windows 7 it's out now, you can try that to see if that works for you. "Fooled Me Once, Shame On You, Fool Me Twice, Shame On Me".
Why use Vista!!!!!!!
by thebug - 1/17/09 4:51 AM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had Vista on my d530 2.8Ghz 2Mb ram , 7600gs video card 2 80Gb hard drives and a 40Gb hard drive and in worked like crap. I repair computers in my spare time and have a lot of people call me and ask if they can have XP installed on their new computer. Sure I say! Vista is a performance HOG!!! When I had it on my computer I noticed the hard drive light NEVER stopped flashing. I found out why and shut down those services. It still didn't work NEAR as fast as XP.
Just my experience, DON'T BUY Vista if you want performance.
Windows Vista: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vis
by mmvincent1 - 1/17/09 5:11 AM In reply to: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been running Vista for almost 1 year trouble free. However, I am not in need to squeeze out every crumb in resource out of my system. The only recommendation I can make is to make sure that you use fast memory and as a minimum 2 Gig.
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