Windows Vista forum: Should I wait for Windows 7 or move on to Vista now?

after building myself a 64 bit PC then installing XP Pro 64 bit, I had nothing but problems. It would hang up or die, bring up my system doing a cold boot. I would then have to do a reboot. I still had various problems with my XP Pro 64 bit software. What I finally had to do, after replacing everything in my PC, eg motherboard, hard drive, memory stick, power supply, processor, nothing changed, I upgrated to Vista Business 64 bit. Wow!! Thats resolved those problems that I was having, it corrected everything. I understood that MSN wasn't supporting the XP PRo 64 bit software.

I think asside from a few scientific apps MS really didnt give any love to XP 64. It pretty much was DOA.

The world is quickly moving to 64 bit. All Linux variants have a 64 bit version. Apple has found a way to move OS X to 64 bit but still support 32 bit drivers. (hint: their kernel is still 32 bit so it's not a true 64 bit platform).
So the world is finally poised for that move, and it is moving, from 32bit to 64 bit. <br><br>
So I would strongly recommend Jerome get a 64 bit machine for certain. I think even "cheap" machines have a core 2 duo or the like that are 64 bit processors, but he may still find some Core duo processors that are NOT 64 bit, so Jerome should make sure. I would go with a Quad core at this stage in time. But at the minimum a fast core 2 duo. At least 2.5GHz. <br><br>
I also must say i don't agree with just getting a cheap PC. His old one is several years old, he is going to make an investment for hopefully the next several years. He shouldn't just grab the cheapest thing Walmart has IMHO. <br><br>
There are some very nice HP and Dell models out there (I only buy laptops so i tend to speak in terms of laptop specs. I got an HP core 2 duo, 2.5GHz, miminmu RAM, then i went out and filled it with 4GB of very high end fast RAM for 60.00 bucks. RAM is cheap. And it has a GeForce GPU with 512MB of RAM (minimum for Vista IMHO) and dual 7200 rpm drives. I have found after using other Vista machines the 7200 rpm drives, with the 64 bit and fast processor, gives more speed than the 5400rpm drives still found in many PCs. Sometimes a SATA drive at either speed is bottlenecked at another point downriver on the bus, but my machine is showing performance gain over several HPs that were purchased at my sites that were 5400rpm drives, the rest of the setup the same for the most part. <br><br>
So my machine with Vista Ulmate x64 is a great pair and runs very quick. No hesitation when firing off Office apps, and i have an MSDN subscription so i have VS2005, VS2008, every Office 2007 app available, SQL Server 2005 Dev. Edition and ton of other software. I can start firing this apps off (they are all on my quick launch) one after the other and they all start very fast.
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DO NOT confuse smoothness for "slugishness". Mine open almost instantly but some other machines are as fast as XP or other OSes, it's just that the Aero interface and WDDM is so smooth it's sort of like a tall muscular outfielder, he appears to not be running fast, but he covers more ground than the shorter guys and it's all in that his movements are smoother and deceptive but he's faster. <br><br>
Anyway, IMHO, Jerome should get the best machine he can afford, 64 bit processor(s)....again quad core would be worth looking into now...and don't pay the OEM prices for RAM. Take whatever comes with the machine, then buy at least 4GB for that x64 Vista OS from a 3rd party and you'll find great 800MHz RAM, 4GB worth, is inexpensive. Far cheaper than buying it through the OEM. Some of them will charge like 150.00 or even 200.00 if you elect to go from the default 2GB to 4GB. They are making way too much money on that deal. Even if the 2GB comes as 4 512 modules, just take it and buy what you need seperately and throw away what came with it and you'll still be way ahead. (by throw away I didn't mean that literally. Find someone that could use it. <br><br>
This machine is going to be with you for 8 years, so make sure you love it and DO NOT be AFRAID to go X64. At this time, buying 32 bit OS is just buying the past. If you love Vista for example and are no hurry to get win7, or it has problems for a few years, you want to have a 64bit OS. They are much more stable and faster than their 32bit counterparts. Even your 32 bit Software that will run on WOW, will be faster because the kernel operations can still run at 64 bit, so you'll see performance gain evern there. With 64 bit apps, you'll definately get more speed.
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Don't Even both waiting till July 2010 buy it when as soon as it comes out running the beta right now and must say it could be released right now and receive service pack 1 in 2011.

There is already good reviews about Windows 7 here at Cnet and pcmag. The issue is that there will be millions of applications that have to be tested and installed by different users in order to see how well 7 handles those applications.
Although MS has stated that all Vista programs will work with 7, there still a period of testing after the initial public realease of the full OS.

So going by the release table of 7, it will be Jan. 2010, that is a year away and an additional 4 months of testing by every user.

Vista came out in Jan and I upgraded in March.

I installed it on an 3 yeard old Dell XPS GEN 2 with 2GB OR RAM AND 256MB of dedicated VIDEO RAM, and SINGLE CORE CPU 2GZ.

Vista runs great and has never giving me a problem.
Since it was a clean install I have control of everything that get's install on my computer.

I am very happy and like using Vista very much. So my suggestions for you are:

1- Yes move up to Vista, but pay th $20.00 to the manufacturer so that they take all the crap they install so that your system is clean.
That is if you don't how to do it yourself, but if you do, that is the second thing you should do after getting your new computer.

The fist would be to create your RESTORE DVD'S with the application included by the manufacturer.

Vista is not that difficult to use, and the Beta of 7 just simplyfies things better, so if you move to 7 in two years or so, it won't be a big learning curve.

Plus you would already have the necessary hardware to run it.

Remember my specs above, can you imagine running Vista on a new harware with doulble cpu cores and better graphic cards as sold today, I am sure it would be a great experience.

Vista SP1 solved most issues users were having due to incompatabilities with some applications.

2- I would suggest you go with 64 bit Vista and probably Ultimate or Bussiness since that is were we headed, 64 bit computing.

A - Bussiness gives you all priviliges that are not found in Home Premium such Group Policies and other settings.
And you can download the applications such as Windows Photo Gallery and others that Home Premium or Ultimate includes so no loss here.

B- Ultimate gives you everthing in the box, easier to use. I lament not having purchase Ultimate instead of Home Premium because of some settings that as a profeciounal would like to have, I get around those issues using other applications but would prefer to have them available in the OS.

Plus you are used to 2000 Pro.

3- Be aware that if you choose 32 bit or 64 bit you most likely will loose some applications that are not supported, so make sure that everything that is absolutely necessary to you is supported with new drivers and applications.

I hope you switch because the experience of having all new and good functionality and I most say the Eye Candy makes it worthwhile.

Good Luck,
Geo

For those who have such devices and who prefer to use the USB cable for syncing vs. bluetooth-- there are no drivers for it. 32 bit works ok. That's an important 'bit' of information if it applies to you.

i'd wait for windows 7 windows 7 so far doesn't use as much memory and is more backward compatible with legacy drivers (windows xp )

vista has more security (so they say) but right now there is alot of issues with vista including eating too much memory

You should think about what you need (or want). If you are wanting to buy a new computer now then go for it. You can always upgrade after Windows 7 comes out if you want to. If you are able to hold off until Windows 7 comes out that would be better, but I would recommend not getting it as soon as they come out. It would be best to wait even a few weeks, and find real world reviews of Windows 7 to see what others think of it. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Whatever you decide to do, just remember that with computers whatever you buy today will be replaced with something bigger (or smaller), better and faster tomorrow.

No I would upgrade to xp for now and then wait for windows 7 because windows 7 is a upgrade on vista and vista wasnt tested before it was released so they will test windows 7 and over come the small probelms like wireless internet disconnecting randomly and L.A.N internet connections not picking up internet. Also program compalitbility doesnt work properly so as theres not many worthwhile programs out for vista its very limited to what you can do with it. I have a vista laptop its ok but i dont really like so it so i would strongly suggest to upgrade to xp for now or just wait

By all accounts I have read over the last few months there is a feeling that all Windows 7 is, is a vista update. Yes there may be differences between them, again not many by the reports read. I used Windows XP Pro for many years and was very happy with the results. I bought Windows Vista Business and had it waiting in an in-tray for quite a while. I arrived at a stage when my XP was giving me more trouble every day and the situation just got worse. It was getting toward the stage that it would mean that I had to wipe and start afresh again. I had a problem and nothing I tried helped. I had no viruses that could be found, no Trojans, I removed all the programs that I rarely used or did not want. Those that we all put on our machines just in case we might use them and never do. Eventually I made the descision that if I was going to have to wipe I might as well go all the way and go with the Vista I had waiting in the wings. I saved all the programs I wanted and used to either CD or DVD depending on size, and did a full and total wipe of my hard disk. Starting with a clean disk I installed my Vista from scratch. Reinstalled my programs one by one, wandered through each program website to re-validate each one. Since doing that I now have a computer hat does what I want when I want it and I am getting to grips with the Vista program one step at a time. I am becoming to like what I have and cannot recomend the OS highly enough. to get me to buy a new OS ie. Windows7 later this yearis not going to be an easy task. They will have to show me that this is really a different system and why I should have to buy it. I am not going to spend money on a system that is really just a slight upgrade on what I am using just because Microsoft want to squeeze more money out of the less technical people that might want to use their systems. That is nothing more than exploitation. If you want to change to Vista you can get the best deal by going online and buying an OEM version of the operating system at a fraction of the cost that a boxed version. The only difference is that all you get is a DVD in a thin case instead of of case that is 4 times larger than what is in it. These versions are usually used for one-off computer builds, but what is your computer but a one-off computer build. You are not going to sell it so there is no problem. You get the OS at a fraction of the cost elsewhwere, and it is LEGAL. In conclusion I went with a system on the market cheaply (all or at least most of the bugs sorted) instead of a system to come at a time in the future with no record of how it will perform. I have no doubt that it will be OK at some stage but is it worth the cost that Microsoft will try to charge. The jury is out and will be for some time. Hope that this is of some help.

I say wait. Every thing I have read states Windows 7 will satisfy those who are happy with XP and it will solve all the problems experienced with Vista. I was looking to replace my laptop and was advised by our IT person who has tested the beta version to wait. I am waiting.

Microsoft promises that Windows 7 is the most stable secure OS to grace this earth, but then again they said the same thing about that monstrosity A.K.A. Vista. Even though I've had more than 20 years worth of computer experience, I have had more frustrations with Vista than any other technical matter. Once Microsoft seems to fix one thing, they hose up something else. They finally seemed to have solved some of the legacy device and security problems at the cost of stability. It has become a bloated beast in very short time and already prime for the digital landfill.
Windows 7 may be better out of the starting gate but I would wait till after the first service pack (as a rule of thumb) before "upgrading". Windows incarnations usually need to swallow about half a million crash dummy beta testing souls before it can come fully to life.
For now stick with XP, our tried tested and true friend. It will send the message to Microsoft that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Good Luck and Happy Computing,
Kyle Pritchard

Windows 7 came out on 01/09/2009. Go to microsoft.com/windows7

Windows 7 Beta Release, limited to the first 2.5 million people who download it, EXPIRES later this year. This means that your computer will have to go back to whatever operating system it was running before. Data loss as well as many other horror stories come to mind.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Making-Windows-7-Build-6956-Survive-Until-Expiration-100022.shtml

The item below is from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-faq.aspx

How long can I use the Beta?

The Windows 7 Beta will stop working on August 1, 2009.

To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date. See Installing the Windows 7 Beta.

Your feedback and our continued progress will determine when the final version of Windows 7 becomes available.

Get to know the vista before you criticize it. Windows explorer is available under start/all programs/accessories.
Also,the document search does exist and, in my view the application was a breakthrough with instant search capabilities.
Really, how long have you been using Vista without "exploring" it, Pardon the pun.