XP or Vista?

[Matilda]

Our home computer died, and my technician is about to look for a new one to install. He's asked me whether I want
XP or Vista. He knows I like XP, but he says that Windows 7 is being released on October 22nd, and it will be
easier to upgrade from Vista than from XP. but I'm not sure whether I'd want to upgrade at all.

I'm very happy with XP on my work computer and haven't even thought about upgrading - I suppose it will have to be
done eventually, but as long as everything works, I'll stick with XP on this machine. But is it really silly to
get a new computer with an old version of Windows? I'm technologically illiterate, and don't really understand the
all the issues, but I've heard such negative things about Vista and don't want to buy into a heap of trouble ...

Any advice?

[Why Syzygy]

1. Your tech may be talking

about it being "easier" due to a Microsoft marketing program.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/offers/upgrade.aspx

Looking for a new PC?

So you want a new PC and you want Windows 7? No problem. We've worked with PC manufacturers to help you protect your PC investment. The companies below offer selected PCs that qualify for the Windows 7 Upgrade Option.* Buy a qualifying PC today, then follow the manufacturer's instructions to get the software upgrade. Prices and delivery methods will vary, please check the manufacturer's website for full details.

...

You will have more choices in computers and options if you go with Vista. If you have all your XP install disks, afaik, a Vista machine can be reprogrammed. That would be if you want to stick with XP. But if they are shipping a Windows 7 "upgrade", it will have to be installed over Vista. This is my understanding. Someone should correct me if I misunderstand.

Windows 7 is supposed to be much better than any prior release (more 'MAC-like'). There is a thread in this group discussing the reviews, if you care to look for it.

[Matilda]

2. The technician said that if I have Vista,

all I need to do to upgrade in October is put in a CD and click upgrade, but if I have XP, I'll have to reinstall
completely. that's obviously what I'll eventually have to do with my work computer.

I have read positive things about Windows 7, and I guess if I have problems with Vista in the meantime, he'll be
there to help correct any problems.

Perhaps it's time to bite the bullet and get the latest.

[trotsky]

10. He is correct, and you will like Windows 7.

Go with Vista for now; the upgrade will be painless.

[sam sarrha]

3. i think a lot of the Vista problems you hear about are 64bit driver problems, if you only need 3.3Gb

of ram for what you do 32 bit Vista shouldnt be as big a pain in the ass.. with drivers.. i finally got a Hot Swap set up and got a tray for XP.

[struggle4progress]

4. What do you need the machine to do?

[Matilda]

5. It's mainly email and Word for me,

Mr Matilda generally just does his banking online, and our son gets his ipod downloads (or whatever they're called).

Very basic stuff.

[Jersey Devil]

6. I am using Windows 7 now, version RC1

Yes, you can "upgrade" to Windows 7 from Vista, but the best way to install a new OS is always to start fresh with a clean installation and not to upgrade from a prior operating system.

By the way, Windows 7 is much better than Vista imo and is what Vista should have been in the first place.

I am also using Microsoft Office 2010 Release Candidate and it is also a big improvement over previous versions of Office.

[Soylent Brice]

7. i read the story in Fortune

about 2010 MS Office download being available for free next year.

haven't seen anything else about it since. is that still a go?

[Jersey Devil]

9. dunno

I was invited by MS to download and install the Office 2010 Technical Preview but they haven't said anything about how they will go about issuing the final release.

[Why Syzygy]

8. Me too.

I've never had an "upgrade" version of any Windows, and wouldn't want one.

[trotsky]

11. Since Win 7 is almost more of a service pack to Vista,

I've upgraded a couple of systems with far fewer problems than any other previous Windows upgrades. Normally yes, I would go with the wipe & install but I would have no qualms recommending the Vista-Win7 upgrade.