Windows Vista's First Year on the Market

[AllCeline]

I'm back home in NY for the holidays and was lazing around, watching the local news channel. There was just a technology report on Microsoft's newest operating system, and the reporter stated that support for Windows XP will be extended--a result of many old software and hardware incompatibilities with Windows Vista. But for all those who've used the operating system and have a considerable amount of exposure, I'm curious of getting your feedback. Many times, fellow computer geeks tend to be supportive of a system they personally favor. But as the average consumer, what do you guys think of Windows Vista?

[celinerific]

Well... I personally don't have Vista. I'm still running on XP. But as you well know, when XP first came out, it was just as bad as Vista is now... Because it was new, at the time, of course. Then Microsoft came out with the SP1 of XP... then later an SP2, which is what they left it at, and which is what most use today. Microsoft is expected to release an SP1 for Vista some time in the new year, so we'll go on from there.

 

But for now, Vista is very sleek, and very elegant. I love the look. The only problems are, as said, compatibilities issues, and the fact that it needs a relatively powerful computer to run it. Otherwise, it's an amazing OS if you have the right material to run it.

[stevethefan]

I don't have Vista currently but when I was looking at new PC's in a store they were actually steering people to the few machines they still have with XP. Now if the store is doing that it should tell you something. Personally I have XP Pro which is great and I think when I by a new PC next year I may still get XP, and wait for VISTA to be improved.

 

VISTA takes a lot of memory and will run slow unless you have a decent amount of memory.

[celinerific]

VISTA takes a lot of memory and will run slow unless you have a decent amount of memory.

The preferred requirement memory would be 1GB, but that is to say if you have a good processor as well. Vista needs a processor with a speed of at least 1GHz. Without a good processor, it doesn't matter how much memory you have, it'll still be slow.

 

My recommendation is to wait for (at least) Vista SP1. Because, frankly, you never know if they'll even come out with an SP2. I know they're coming out with an SP1, so we can all just calm down and wait for that to happen, which should be very soon.

[Edwin]

I have to test Vista at work so we can support it better. There are no big incentives to rush out to install it. If anything, there are more bad things such as major compatability issues, additional hardware requirements that would make me think twice of recommending it.

In fact, when I did my annual reload on my home computer, I went back to XP since I didn't feel Vista added much.

[AndrewAK6324]

Windows Vista is good, but like what AllCeline and EdwinDeux said that there is a compatibility issue.

 

Also in order to run Vista, you need to buy a new computer, which might put a dent into your wallet

 

Overall, I'm sticking to Windows XP Professional longer

[Krys]

i have a new laptop that was preinstalled with Vista. honestly i prefer XP better. i have difficulty finding stuff around Vista. and yea, compatibility issues as well. the games go a bit haywire when i install them. it looks great though.

[Fanny!]

I like it... when I had my laptop in march I HATED Vista because my webcam didn't work, and actually almost nothing worked. now it's a lot better and I don't have any problem with it.

[kathyc25]

I like Vista too...there are definitely some kinks that need to be worked out, but overall I think its a good OS.

[Tal]

Its a very sleek looking OS, which is nice. I personally haven't had any compatability issues because I don't have any peripherals. However, everytime I try to use Windows Movie Maker for Vista, it crashes and burns because of some ridiuclous error they have with AVI files....which is one of the more commonly used file types.

 

The main issue I have with it are that things don't make sense anymore. I work in IT and I'm well versed with computers and it still took me half an hour to find the Bluetooth Settings icon. Also yesterday I was trying to sort a folder by file type and that option just wasn't there. I could either sort by name, date or some other random parameters but not by the file type. I looked everywhere on how to sort by type and just gave up.

 

And another thing... When you go to save a file, the save dialogue box appears and when you click on the drop down, it gives you your browsing history instead of your drive structure. Wtf??

[incognito]

It's fine once you get used to it. I prefer XP but I don't hate Vista. I haven't had any major issues with it... but right away I had to buy a new dsl modem because my old one wasn't compatible with Vista.

[celinerific]

Well then, let's look forward to Vista SP1... And perhaps an SP2 in the future?

[Edwin]

or SP3 for XP. I'm tired of having to do 90 some updates, even after I install from an XP w/ SP2 disk. C'mon M$!

[celinerific]

Actually yeah, they are coming out with an SP3 for XP around the same time as the SP1 for Vista.

[neilg]

Ah, I'm Mac, Mac, Mac.

 

I love my 17" MacBook Pro, and my PowerBook - there isn't any Microsoft release that will tear me away from the Apple logo!

 

Primarily, my dad is a Mac user, but he has bought a Windows computer for his work, which has Vista Professional, I think, preloaded. And the grief it's given him!

 

I'm sticking to my Apples.

[peo]

I don't know I LOVE it!!!!

[LuisMa]

I love Windows Vista. So many people tried talking me into not changing from XP, but I gave it a try, and now I wouldn't go back. The new Windows Office is also amazing.

[celinerific]

Once Vista starts to run smoother, it's bound to go flying off the shelves for sure.

[stevethefan]

Well I think for now I'm sticking with XP. For those that already have VISTA and have no problems, then that's good, but I've read too many stories about it not being compatable with many software and hardware applications. I'm sure, as others have said, it will be better once they get a patch out for it. Patience is a virtue.

[babymonkey]

it blows. I'm going straight back to xp pro. The structure of it makes no sense, I can't do anything I want to do with it.

[stevethefan]

I know someone that just bought a new laptop and I was asking him how he liked Vista. He said it was slow and he actually set up (partitioned) his hard drive with XP and Vista so he could boot the computer to either one which I thought was a good idea. He'll probably be using XP most of the time.

[celinerific]

It's all a matter of waiting... Just remember that XP was just as bad as Vista when it first came out. Look how far we've come now.

[babymonkey]

It's all a matter of waiting... Just remember that XP was just as bad as Vista when it first came out. Look how far we've come now.

I don't remember xp being so ram intensive

[celinerific]

It's all a matter of waiting... Just remember that XP was just as bad as Vista when it first came out. Look how far we've come now.

I don't remember xp being so ram intensive

Well, XP had a lot... I repeat... A LOT of bugs in it that needed to be fixed. And eventually, it got fixed. Look how well it's doing now. Vista is only a RAM-lover because of all its cool special effects and nick nacks and whatnot.

Edited December 29, 2007 at 05:55 AM by celinerific

[babymonkey]

It's all a matter of waiting... Just remember that XP was just as bad as Vista when it first came out. Look how far we've come now.

I don't remember xp being so ram intensive

Well, XP had a lot... I repeat... A LOT of bugs in it that needed to be fixed. And eventually, it got fixed. Look how well it's doing now. Vista is only a RAM-lover because of all its cool special effects and nick nacks and whatnot.

well that wouldn't be so bad if i could figure out how to turn them all off! Maybe I'll switch to linux. Anyone have experience of it?

[celinerific]

It's all a matter of waiting... Just remember that XP was just as bad as Vista when it first came out. Look how far we've come now.

I don't remember xp being so ram intensive

Well, XP had a lot... I repeat... A LOT of bugs in it that needed to be fixed. And eventually, it got fixed. Look how well it's doing now. Vista is only a RAM-lover because of all its cool special effects and nick nacks and whatnot.

well that wouldn't be so bad if i could figure out how to turn them all off! Maybe I'll switch to linux. Anyone have experience of it?

Hmm... My friend used Linux and switched back to XP because he said it wasn't all the greatest. And, you should be able to switch off Vista features either through the Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete), or Service Manager.

[celinerific]

And if you want to access Service Manager...

 

1. Right click on "My Computer".

2. Go to "Manage".

3. Double click on "Services and Applications".

4. Double click on "Services".

5. Now, you should be able to see a big list of services that are currently running on your computer. Some services run themselves automtically at start-up (such as many Vista features). Look for the things that aren't necessary and disable it. Once you disable a service, it will no longer automatically run at start-up, and it'll definitely decrease the amount of RAM usage.

Edited December 29, 2007 at 06:24 AM by celinerific

[paradox]

VISTA takes a lot of memory and will run slow unless you have a decent amount of memory.

The preferred requirement memory would be 1GB, but that is to say if you have a good processor as well. Vista needs a processor with a speed of at least 1GHz. Without a good processor, it doesn't matter how much memory you have, it'll still be slow.

 

My recommendation is to wait for (at least) Vista SP1. Because, frankly, you never know if they'll even come out with an SP2. I know they're coming out with an SP1, so we can all just calm down and wait for that to happen, which should be very soon.

 

 

Well, i have 1,5 proc and 1gb ram, believe me vista is too slow on that if you run IE7, WMP and MSN (in same time) you will get slow motivation PC. I LOVE vista look on all functions on, but i'm thinking to back on xp, this is too slow, i cant run my favorite game Guild Wars and MSN in same time... I will w8 sp1, i hope they will fix some things.

 

My opinion vista has the best look soo far, only reason why i use vista is look.

[celinerific]

VISTA takes a lot of memory and will run slow unless you have a decent amount of memory.

The preferred requirement memory would be 1GB, but that is to say if you have a good processor as well. Vista needs a processor with a speed of at least 1GHz. Without a good processor, it doesn't matter how much memory you have, it'll still be slow.

 

My recommendation is to wait for (at least) Vista SP1. Because, frankly, you never know if they'll even come out with an SP2. I know they're coming out with an SP1, so we can all just calm down and wait for that to happen, which should be very soon.

 

 

Well, i have 1,5 proc and 1gb ram, believe me vista is too slow on that if you run IE7, WMP and MSN (in same time) you will get slow motivation PC. I LOVE vista look on all functions on, but i'm thinking to back on xp, this is too slow, i cant run my favorite game Guild Wars and MSN in same time... I will w8 sp1, i hope they will fix some things.

 

My opinion vista has the best look soo far, only reason why i use vista is look.

It's true. The looks is what draws the most attention at this point. But for an improved OS, we'll all have to wait. Patience, child.

[AllCeline]

Wow! Very productive feedback! I didn't realize they were so many other computer geeks on the forum. But like many of you said, the only two main problems with Vista are compatibility issues, and RAM usage. Hopefully the problems will be fixed with SP1. Kinda odd that they worked five years on Vista and it still has these issues.