Poll: Wait for Windows 7 or buy XP for new computer?

[Unusual_Bulge]

I don't know if someone already suggested this, but if you wait a little while (I think from the start of July onwards) you should be able to buy a Vista laptop (maybe even XP instead) with free upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released.

I think official details are a bit low on the ground at the moment, but a quick google search for 'Windows 7 upgrade programme' should be able to tell you something. In particular I found [a href="http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=609&pgno=1"]this[/a], which says June 26th is the magic date, so you might not have to wait long at all.

I think more details should become available around that time and in particular you should be able to go into a shop and ask them about which laptops qualify for the upgrade programme and how exactly the programme works, and make your decision from there.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: I've just read back over the thread and seen that you really don't seem to want Vista. I believe there's an XP downgrade option on some Vista computers that you can get, and they might qualify for Windows 7 upgrade. However, I'm just guessing here, so you'd be best going in and asking someone in a shop for full details of the programme.

 

[shadowstriker86]

XP is tried, true, and tested, but it's got limitations as far as being able to work with the newest, shiniest hardware and large amounts of RAM are concerned. If your time frame is far enough out that you can wait for Windows 7, I think you should do that, if only because you can build a stronger machine to work with it---the memory usage of 7 is more than offset by the amount of RAM (which is dirt cheap) that it supports.

But if you're building a computer for the here and now, XP beats the hell out of Vista by a very large margin.

And speaking of hardware, it doesnt like dvd-burners too much. got one on my computer but it reads all blank dvd's as blank cd's, tried everything but its a windows explorer bug -_-

 

[The_Prophet]

I'm looking to buy a new laptop in the next 6 months and was wondering if those of you who have used both OS can help me decide. I definitely do not like using Vista. I'm not an ignorant consumer who hates things for no reason. I just feel that Vista missed the point of a "Work computer" (If I want play time I'll buy a Mac). Also, Vista is really stupid when it comes to my wireless but I blame my ISP for that really.
Anyway, I've heard good things about Windows 7 and am asking if it's worth the wait. I plan on buying a buisness model for longjevity, so I want an OS that I can use smoothly with as little hickups as possible. I have no experience with Linux and very little with Macs.
So what do you suggest, buy XP or hold out?

For those of you who say other please specify

I'm a PC gamer so you can trust me when I say that XP is the best and most stabile, go with that.

 

[esperandote]

You convienlenty left out Windows ME...

also windows 2003 and 2008

The kernel for those are taken from XP and Vista, respectively, though. And quite a bit of overkill for the average user since they are server OS's.

you're right, but 2000 is also a server OS and he/she mentioned it so i was just saying.

What did you expect from a guy who says shit like this:

sorry, I was typing in a rush, I had to go to my C++ final.

Clearly he's a sophisitimacated C++ programmer. How can we dispute him?

Not as sophisticaded since he sholud be programming object oriented unless he's programing low level language. (i know you're being sarcastic)

Is there a reason Mistake Edition isn't mentioned there?

Actually i tried and liked ME better than 98SE, I couldn't configure some graphic/network cards in 98 than in ME could, but that's even more offtopic now.

ontopic: VISTA!

 

[CheeseSandwichCake]

XP. Windows 7 is another memory-whore.

No, no it isn't.

My mother is using the beta for it (W7) on a computer nowhere near as good as mine and when I had a fresh install of Windows XP IT RAN THINGS FASTER THAN MY COMPUTER THAT IS... oh... 20x better than hers?

 

[kanyatta]

If I were you, I would choose Vista. In a year or so XP will become what 98 is now (Compatible, but old and not aesthetically pleasing), and Vista is a very nice OS, despite common opinion (common being the opinion of those mac commercials which evoke violent urges in me that involve hedge clippers and severed heads).

I agree with this.

I've been using Vista since a few months after launch, and while it did use quite a bit of memory, I still found it to be a way better OS than XP. I'm going to be buying a laptop for college soon, and I will more than definitely have Vista on it right off the bat, but will probably upgrade to 7 in a year or so.

 

[Low Key]

You convienlenty left out Windows ME...

also windows 2003 and 2008

The kernel for those are taken from XP and Vista, respectively, though. And quite a bit of overkill for the average user since they are server OS's.

you're right, but 2000 is also a server OS and he/she mentioned it so i was just saying.

I didn't see that. Sorry.

 

[DemonI81]

I've never understood the bad reputation that Vista has. I've been running the 64-bit Ultimate version since launch, first on an HP tablet PC, then my custom built tower, now my XPS laptop.

Obviously you don't use many open source programs. MS requires digital signing of all drivers/programs that run on the 64 bit version of Vista. This means people that make high quality, free programs, for people to use would have to pay MS ~$500 a year to "sign" their programs and make them work on Vista 64. The 32 bit version doesn't have this BS in it at least, but it's still garbage.

Uh, no. I'm using 64-bit Vista and I play a lot of indie freeware games (I need my roguelikes). I also run programs like OpenOffice, Firefox, Chrome, Pidgin, GIMP and various other programs that are open source. Only drivers that run at kernel level need to be signed (think graphics card drivers - things that should have manufacturer support). I use open source software extensively, and I haven't run into any significant compatability issues. I even have Tomboy Notes running in GTK#!

If you're going to bash Windows, you could at least know what you're talking about.

Vista's not liked mostly because Vista's not liked.

What did you expect from a guy who says shit like this:

sorry, I was typing in a rush, I had to go to my C++ final.

Clearly he's a sophisitimacated C++ programmer. How can we dispute him?

The stench of moronic fanboy is all over this thread. That's fine, use garbage like Vista, don't believe me that programs such as Peer Guardian will not install on Vista 64 bit due to driver signing requirement, flame me without even knowing what you're talking about. It's ok, I forgive you, this is a British forum an all and from what I've seen of British IT grads... I'm surprised the Brits can even get online.

 

[Zombie_Fish]

Buy XP. Best in my opinion, and I doubt if Windows Seven would beat it.

 

[buggy65]

Vista is also very difficult to connect wirelessly to my ISP (small PA company) and everytime I work on fixing a broken Vista machine I end up wanting to blow my brains out. As for a downgrade, I can buy a Buisness Class machine with XP instead of Vista right from Dell.