Has Vista gotten any better?

[Niode]

I use Vista X64 my specs are:

Intel core 2 quad Q6600
4GB 1066MHz DDR2 ram.
Radeon HD4870

I haven't had any issues with my setup at all apart from a dodgy driver for the HD4870 that caused intermittent crashes. (IE crysis for several hours never crashed the system, but loading up S.T.A.L.K.E.R/Fallout 3/Spore crashed it within 10 minutes.) The new driver seems to have fixed this issue.

The major issue that everyone has with Vista is that their old hardware isn't supported. There's even less support for x64 compared to x86. So for those particular people who rely on these old pieces of kit, upgrading to Vista is a bad idea. Likewise people with poor system specs, upgrading to Vista is a bad idea.

If you have the specs for it then Vista is a decent operating system (well, compared to other versions of windows). It's still not a patch on OS X. (I was going to put a massive rant on why OS X is so much better than Windows, but I don't want to incite any flame wars).

If you want to try something different I would suggest you try Linux/Ubuntu. Rather than trying to shoe-horn Vista onto that laptop. If it's more than a couple years old that laptop is going to run Vista like a dog. Whereas Linux will run beautifully on it.

Plus the beauty of Ubuntu is you can just download the live CD, run it from CD and just see what it would be like, if you hate it or none of your hardware works with it. Just reboot into XP and forget about it.

[corn619]

Thanks for the advice guys, I liked some of the features on Vista but maybe I'll stick with XP for now. The only thing I fear is my PC will come to a slow crawl with Vista. It was slow when it was installed on my PC when I bought it can only imagine now with all the updates and such. Is there a website or way that I can get the drivers for my Toshiba Satellite laptop to reinstall XP. Avast is saying theres malware, trojans and a rootkit in my computer and I'm having a hell of a time getting them out. Thats what I get for downloading old PC games from Underground Gamer.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Service Pack 1 improved speed and stability otherwise its about the same. Drivers have been updated too so all those crappy early Nvidia drivers shouldnt be a problem anymore. Frankly, if your system has the compatable hardware, try out OSx86, it works quite well and they really did a good job making sure everything works. Best of all, its free, just make sure all your hardware is compatable by checking out the wiki first.

[lordofduct]

what i can tell you from my now like 13 years of experience using computers on almost daily basis is that:

Windows is around the worst operating system you can use. Even DOS is better.

Of course some knowledge-less guy would say, how is that possible when you have video and GUI and internet on windows. Truth is, windows gives you more option and capabilities but its how it functions.

I can give you a 1930's car, with a steering wheel , gear, engine that works 100%. I can give you a current bmw with GPS, CD player, AC, ABS , but they all mul-function and need constant repair. So which is the better dependable car?

After XP windows became livable, but you have better options like mac os and maybe linux(never tested it) , but windows is just around the worst choice, so why you want to go back to using it?

it works, but there are better non-headache options. I am sure a lot of vista worries got fixed since its release, but from what we know of microsoft, when did it ever mean fixing issues means no more trouble?

That's the most uneducated fluff I've read on here.

It's similar to the hippies around here who say some hub bub about how this product or that is better for you because it's all natural...

"why mr. hippy?"

"Cause Bob over there told me so."



...
@OP - is XP doing everything you need it to? Does it run fine on your system? I'm guessing so because you said you'll just stick with it. Then use it.

Vista - I had it, I still run it as a VirtualMachine, it isn't bad. I used it mainly because XP couldn't handle my hardware... yeah that's right, XP is becoming dated and couldn't handle my hardware. It had some nice features I enjoyed, but really it was time I left Windows behind... that's personal choice.

MacOSX? Get a mac if you want that... oh OP doesn't have a mac... the overpriced piece of crap.

Linux - I use it, I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. Linux is for someone who wants to work at making their OS work for them. It takes a lot of time to learn.

[Niode]

MacOSX? Get a mac if you want that... oh OP doesn't have a mac... the overpriced piece of crap.

The mac is overpriced thing is a complete myth. Find me a system with all the features of any of the macs for a smaller price including software and operating system.

[GSZX1337]

Well, he is right that DOS is more stable than Vista. I don't think that shocks anyone here.

OMGWTFBQQ DOS is more stable than Windows? ...

I'd only upgrade to Vista if you're using newer hardware (like SATA hard drives or hardware that only have Vista drivers) and/or break the 4GB limit.
I've used Windows Vista and XP at approx their recommended requirements and at those specs Vista was much snappier.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

MacOSX? Get a mac if you want that... oh OP doesn't have a mac... the overpriced piece of crap.

The mac is overpriced thing is a complete myth. Find me a system with all the features of any of the macs for a smaller price including software and operating system.

not to mention the PC hack can be had for free off of various torrent sites

[lordofduct]

MacOSX? Get a mac if you want that... oh OP doesn't have a mac... the overpriced piece of crap.

The mac is overpriced thing is a complete myth. Find me a system with all the features of any of the macs for a smaller price including software and operating system.

not to mention the PC hack can be had for free off of various torrent sites

hack - illegal - irrelevant... If you accept that, then I could build you any system for pennies on the dollar loaded with thousands of dollars worth of software all for free!

Mac's price is a myth? I've used a mac, what is the glamorous stuff mac is giving me for the extra 1000 dollars? That iMeWhoozit crap? WOOHOO yeah that's 1000 dollars worth of software... uh huh!

My point is saying Mac is a "better" OS is a moot point. It's a matter of preference. Mac is for a Mac user. Dude man obviously ain't a mac user. No matter what mac can do in one area doesn't erase the fact Windows has a lot of stuff it can do that Mac just can't! And vice versa.

[GSZX1337]

The mac is overpriced thing is a complete myth. Find me a system with all the features of any of the macs for a smaller price including software and operating system.

not to mention the PC hack can be had for free off of various torrent sites

hack - illegal - irrelevant... If you accept that, then I could build you any system for pennies on the dollar loaded with thousands of dollars worth of software all for free!

Why stop there? I build a system for free if I walk to Best Buy and steal on of their computers and a copy of WinXP.

[Haoie]

Holy crap. I have a Toshiba Satellite too, and it came preinstalled with Vista.

It still really bugs me. All flash, no substance.