Hello, Building a couple of pc's very soon. Basic question, is it time yet for Vista (problems ironed out?) or should I still be sticking to XP? Want these systems to be good for the next few years hopefully. Would like the 64bit and direct x 10 advantages of vista but don't want a headache. Opinions and comments please, thanks.
If you want to use more than 4GB of RAM. You will need a 64bit OS (XP or Vista) to have all the memory. 32bit OS will not show more than 3.2GB of RAM.
I've installed Vista Ultimate 64 and 32 on my system recently but kept XP installed as well. I find that I go to Visa more and more as time goes on and lately I've had very few problems. I like the layout of Vista and find that it resolves compatibility issues remotely in most cases. I also like the automatic update of drivers for my hardware and software. I agree that the graphics are superior in Vista and have upgraded primarily for the Direct X 10. Conversely, there is not a good reason to spend money on a Vista upgrade because it does not offer enough improvement to justify the expense and hassle of upgrading. I bought the OS, in a dual disk Ultimate Upgrade Package, at wholesale and am satisfied with the product at half the retail price. I have kept the XP OS installed for software and hardware where the manufacturer's do not plan to offer updates to resolve the compatibility issues with Vista. I have read that Vista is releasing an SP2 very soon but that it mainly addresses security issues that have arisen since the release of SP1. Bottom line is the Vista OS is too little, too soon, for too much, and I would not have purchased it at the retail price of $200.00 for the Ultimate Upgrade edition.
Just to add to my comment above; I have experience more problems pertaining to software compatibility with the 64 bit system and would not have it installed on my machine as my only operating system. I have set up a multi-boot system with XP, Vista 32, and Vista 64 operating systems and I have the best of all worlds. There is a helpful freeware program to configure the boot menu called, "Vista Boot Pro 3.3." There are many features included with the Ultimate and Premium Editions including utilities and a Media Center. It is also worth noting that I have never experience a BSOD with Vista and only found there was a problem when informed by the OS upon restarting. Personally, I don't think that I would buy XP for a new system although I did for two new systems I built 18 months ago. I like Vista; I just have reservations advising anyone to upgrade from XP-Pro as Vista is not revolutionary and very expensive for an Ultimate Upgrade.
