Vista is it as bad as they say?

Vista is it as bad as they say? Looking for a new laptop and most of the comments in the reviews say either increase memory to 2 Gigs or Dump
Vista and install XP which can be difficult to find all the correct drivers.

Some people are calling Vista ME II !!

 

No.

Have 2 gigs if you don't know how to manage the OS. Running without all the fancy effects, unnecessary services, and startup programs, and you should be able to do with 1 GB.

Going back to XP could be painful, driver-wise, especially if the hardware is designed for Vista. Check with the manufacturer's website and/or tech support before doing it. I can say that Acer was a pain in getting drivers for XP on a Vista-built laptop.

Some people....

 

Thats only because there are many novices out there that don't truly know the changes underneath the hood of Vista, vs. XP.

I, too, was ignorant to a degree.

Not no mo'

 

Really its a matter of oppinion. Myself, Don't use it and have tried it. Yea I have seen the same information. Vista is the stepping stone to the next version of windows.

Just not a fan of vista. Xp works fine for me and does all I want and need. In the end, Its your call and what works best for you. I just see so many people getting rid of vista and going back to xp. The cost to buy vista is really just to expensive. Xp was the same way. SO in time vista may come down in price. Time will tell. Xp was on computers way to long before vista finally made it to the market. Everyone is to used to Xp and not to many people are switching. Just my 2 cents.

 

>> Re: Vista is it as bad as they say? <<

I like Vista but I'd advise anyone considering the upgrade to carefully research the "new stuff" it brings along with it as well as the old stuff that's either left out or replaced when you install Vista. That will be time better spent than concentrating on what others who've tried it say is BAAAAAD to 'da BONE.

Regarding all of the premature so-called "bad reviews" the same exact thing happened when XP was just a pup.

I can recall when Windows XP was first released and the "Abandon All Ye Who Upgrade" posts were abound throughout the web at that time as well. Many, many Win 2000 and 98 users predicted XP would more than likely cause permanent erectile disfunction, global warming, bring the coming of the anti-christ, chips in our foreheads etc - lol

One thing is for certain, every time a new Windows is released; the upgrade hardware requirements and stats posted by Microsoft usually fall below what is actually (eventually) needed.

Good Luck!

 

I recently bought a Notebook PC running Vista Home Premium with 1GB of RAM. My viewpoint now is that the frequent comments having needing 2GB of memory for Vista for satisfactory performance are a bit overdone. If you do get a laptop with Vista and 1GB of RAM, do a careful initial assessment of the software that's installed on it. I've removed the Norton Internet Security suite on my notebook; that made a noticeable difference in startup time. Also, look at any proprietary software installed by the manufacturer. For example, my notebook has HP Total Care Advisor and HP Games on it. Any such software that you may find on a new computer should, in my opinion, be viewed as a candidate for removal if you determine that you really don't need it; removing such programs may be a step toward keeping your system optimized. You may, indeed, find that it performs satisfactorily with 1GB of memory. Right now, my notebook is performing well enough that I don't see the need to increase memory to 2GB.

And, as far as dumping Vista for XP, don't make any hasty decision about that. Spend some time with Vista. I suggest looking at such a purchase as an opportunity to learn Vista.

So far, the only minor disappointment I've experienced with it is that my webcam will not work with it because the manufacturer has no driver for Vista. However, I have a fairly old Canon printer that I had no problem getting to work with it.

 

Sorry, I am not a big fan of Microsoft, or their business practices, and feel Vista is still in Beta. Its debut did get me to try GNU/Linux, and for that I am grateful. When support for XP goes by the wayside, I will have some practical knowledge of another operating system. Am currently dual booting one machine with PCLinuxOS and XP Home, and am very pleased with the results, as well as the cost for additional software /hardware, nil.

Bug

 

Well, yes, you have the Linux option; I'm dabbling into that (Ubuntu) a bit, too. Still, if buying a new computer with Vista installed on it, I don't think I'd just remove Vista and install a different OS. I think I'd set up a dual boot (Vista & Linux) configuration. Could even triple boot (XP/Vista/Linux), right, if drive space is not an issue?

Edit: I don't for sure whether a Recovery disk for a Vista system can be used in setting up a mult-boot configuration. In other words, if you need to format the hard drive and install XP first, and the Recovery disk will not work for setting up a dual-boot configuration, then I guess you might have to remove Vista if you wanted to install XP and Linux on a new computer.

Note to Moderators: If you feel this is getting off-track and you want to delete this post, no problem.

 

Only thing that I can offer you is to make sure your peripherals have Vista drivers. I was pleasantly surprised when HP issued drivers for my 3 year old scanner and printer. Dual booting may be a way out but if you have Vista specific hardware then you may never see XP drivers. Oh BTW, I like Vista though I haven't moved all the way yet, I'm tri-booting Ubuntu/Vista Ult/XP

 

At the beginning Vista was hard to understand for me, but after some weeks of learning now i'm more using Vista than my two others OS, i.e triple booting XP_SP2/Vista /OpenSuse10.2, so u would need to install XP (or any older Microsoft's OS), Vista then Linux(any distribution)

 

BWHAHAHA

Some people are pretty ignorant then, and just jump on any old bandwagon

Ive been running Vista for nearly 6 months and ive got to say its the most stable OS ive ever used.. and ive tried plenty over the years

And who doesnt love eye-candy, most people who have computer problems find it easier to blame Microsoft rather than their own failings!!

 

I just got a new Acer notebook (Aspire 5920G), with Vista Home Premium, and I think it is fantastic. It takes a little getting used to, as a lot of things have been moved around - but as soon as you have found it, everything is so much easier! Networking in particular, is an absolute breeze compared to in XP.

I must say I do prefer it now. Bring on SP1 :cool

 

I really think from the sounds of lots of people, more and more people are turning to lynix. They are getting sick of windows, the cost, the bugs, the hassles. I am not just speaking of vista. Lynix is getting nebie friendly more and more with each release.

So if you really want a new system, and want the best, look into lynix. I can see more and more people turning towards it because of vista and future microsoft releases. Lynix is no longer the operating systme of the hardcore geek. Its a system more and more average users are turning to.

 

I'm not directing this at you, tym.

I laugh in the general direction of people moving from Windows to Linux.

Without question, if a person can't figure out how to run Windows properly, they will fail in Linux. MISERABLY. Then, there is the fact that Linux easily has just as many bugs, if not more. Then top it off with if it breaks, who you gonna call for help? Most won't be able to fix it on their own. Linux by far is still the OS for geeks, don't be fooled by the pretty GUI, its still largely a command line OS. Sure it works, until the application breaks, or you end up with a dependency issue, or Grub breaks, or you get a kernel panic. Slow startup and performance? Aint no msconfig here! The list goes on. The threat of moving to Linux is more bark than bite. Microsoft isn't worried Most of the people who do thumb their nose at Microsoft, dual boot with Linux, and Windows. Can we say hypocrite? If you wanna boycott a company, stop using all of their products.

All OSes have flaws. All of them can get the job done, too. Some take a lot more work than others(read: Linux is free if your time is worthless). Some have better software support than others(OS X has a less support than Windows, but the OS and the software that is out there for it is quite nice).

So, pick what works for you, and costs the least. If you like to tinker around and have time to waste, go for Linux. If you just use the PC as a tool and want to get the job done and play games, go Windows XP or Vista, doesn't matter much which. Vista is easily the most secure of the two. If you like the middle ground, and want to tinker AND get the job done, maybe play a few games, go OS X.



I use every OS mentioned here, and above, and do it without issue. That goes for Vista too. I had one program bring Vista to its knees, but thats not the fault of MS. Drivers are still a little immature of course.

It all comes down to personal choice.

On a side note--posting in a thread about Linux when the subject is about Vista is tacky and tasteless. Please keep on topic. This thread is about Windows Vista.

 

Well he was talking about changing os. And it is a viable option. And with all due respect, we may have to agree to disagree and thats cool. But I have seen lots of average users make the switch. I have used it on my computer, Not my cup of tea, but really not that tough to pick up. The tech support is second to none. Especially with the more popular flavors of it.

Dell is offering it on there computers. It may take another 5 or 10 years but it will sooner or later become a major option to most users.

Now that is out of the way. Maybe a second hardrive installed and dual boot them? If set up right, you can run both, then decide what works best for you. You will find many oppinons and reasons to switch or not to switch. All can be valid. This is just something You have to decide. In my hummble opinion, vista not worth the hassle. The next release of a major os may be the one to get.

 

Great factual post Adrynalyne, for those that don't know Adrynalyne has spent more time on the OS's than most here, and has the "Rants" to prove it, Right BroLOL

 

I've been around an OS or two

twm,

I'm not saying that one cannot switch to Linux, Im saying if you cant figure out windows, then you wont survive in Linux long either. Linux is not easier or even as easy, and when it comes to fixing it, most of it is RTFM, which most computer users simply are not very acquainted with. If you lose network access, what then? Sure it looks easy, but looks are very deceiving, that easy looking GUI hides a complex OS that is not designed, and probably never will be, for users not able to figure out Windows or not familiar with the workings of a computer.

I know in my area at least, if you call the local computer repair shops, they won't be fixing Linux, at all. So while phone support is all fine and dandy, not every user is adept enough to become the tech's 'hands on the keyboard'.

When the GUI breaks, you gotta know how to fix it via console, and config files. Not that tough to pick up? Its certainly not a GUI based tool like Windows.

Need to start a service for Windows? You have a gui application. For Linux? You 'might' have a gui app, you might not. You will find the GUI tools work...most of the time. Other times, you spend it in the console. Sure noob distros can do a lot for you out of the box, but to understand the OS, you gotta know how to do it yourself, too.

As for Linux not being that hard to get around...I'll attach two files for you. Every true Linux user needs to know how to configure files like this. If those would be easy for a Windows user to get around, let me know please.

 

We had a similar discussion, not too long ago, and views vary , I feel by the experience of the user.
I agree Vista is a good step up from XP, and the more you use it, the less intersest in going backwards.
Memory is very good value at the moment- and if you want quicker better experience with Vista, then more does appear to be a great help.
I use Vista Ultimate, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the smoothness, and not one crash in about 3 months of use, even testing programs on it, so as said by others- do your homework, check your system periphials, and software before going over to it, and I am sure you will feel the same.

 

heheheh... I like to think I'm pretty good with Windows. I've got XP installations down to a science, at least. I think with some more time spent on Vista, I'll be just as good with that, too.

Linux kicks my butt.
I've installed slackware, ubuntu, and most recently sabayon, and it goes far beyond simply installing a distro. I've done that, and got a system up and running. Heck, I'm writing from my latest install right now.

I've tried to install drivers, and I broke my system.
Once I was sure that was working properly, I tried to configure 3D desktop, and that broke my system.
Some apps from the default install are broken, and I still don't know how to fix them.
I was in trouble, too, because the system I was working on didn't have my preferred text editor. I had to quickly learn how to use vi

What support am I getting? A hastily written wiki? A forum full of solutions that don't apply because my system isn't IDENTICAL to the person's beside me?

It may not be difficult to pick up how to navigate through the GUI, but anything more advanced quickly becomes overwhelming.

 

Thanks for all the input. Most likly I will give Vista a shot for a while then make
a decision. I have not messed with Linux since Version 5. I had it running for a
while then the OS crashed and I could not recover. haven't touched it since
I got a bunch of old computers lying around might try and play with it again.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

Ya Mada, I agree. It runs and looks nice but I don't have the patience to get into it properly. Also, I'm currently triple booting with XP/Vista and I'm afraid of toasting it. I do have an old IGHz Celly, I guess it's good enough to run a distro.