Look I know Vista is coming for me eventually.
I just ordered a 22" Widescreen Samsung monitor and made sure it was approved and compliant.

For a while it's going to be displaying XP though.

strider_mt2k

Microsoft is taking a big risk discontinuing an OS people generally like to replace it with one people generally dislike. As a long time PC user and having tried Vista before reverting to XP, if the choice ends up being between Vista and Mac, I'd rather go with a Mac.

Brandson

@DaIntellectual: First off, good post. I'm liking the "no-bashing" part especially. Now, that being said, I'm a new OSX user, having just made the switch from Vista Home Premium about 2 weeks ago. The main reason I left Vista was its sluggishness. My Dell 1720, with a clean install and not a lot of extra applications loaded, took a full 2 minutes to boot. Seriously. My new Macbook Pro? 40 seconds this morning. Applications just plain run faster than I ever experienced on Windows - either my Vista laptop or my wife's XP desktop.

That being said, I liked the eye candy and various improvements in Vista over XP, though I had XP Media Center Edition and I didn't really notice anything different between it and Vista's Media Center - can you elaborate more on that comment? I'm also curious to the comments about how it's superior to Front Row, can you specifically say what functions Front Row is missing that Media Center gives you? Honestly, not bashing, I just didn't really notice from my perspective anything missing. Media Center really used to piss me off with DiVX files, as the codec is not fully supported under Media Center (check the DivX support page). I honestly haven't tried that under Front Row, yet, so I'm not sure if that functionality is what's also missing under Front Row.

AZTriGuy

However there is supposed to be no reason why Dx10 couldn't have been released on XP.

Doesn't Vista and DX10 use a completely different driver model? That is why it is non-trival to port it back to XP.

wjousts

@Maksimir: I prefer Vista over XP and can tell you easily some things that are better in Vista:

Windows Explorer -> Better Organizational & Navigational Structure than that found in XP

Networking -> PNRP and many more improvements to the other networking technologies found in XP

Security -> No antivirus (well for me)

Windows Media Center -> Just cant even compare it to what found in the XP version.

etc.

Most importantly, something that everyone seems to forget especially when comparing the price of Vista to XP and OSX. The fact that you get Vista (Windows) Media Center with Home Premium and Ultimate. Vista Media Center is far more advanced and further developed than OSX Front Row. In addition it is farther along and more advanced than Apple TV. I am waiting for apple to continuously update Apple TV and include some much needed functionality so that I can actually compare it to Vista Media Center. Competition is good and I would most likely consider a purchase at that point.

Now some people I know do not like Vista at first, or course, because it is foreign to them, something new. Many I know have issues when they try to install on older hardware and driver and hardware compatibility becomes an issue which should really be focused towards the manufacturer's. Lastly, some people just choose to stick with XP as their is no immediate need to jump to Vista especially taking into account their PC usage. Lastly, there are those that I know and that have come across that continuously regurgitate and reiterate the same drivel found in the forums or comments on many tech sites that Vista is horrible, its just Aero and that is all and there are really no new improvements. For those, one can merely walk away and move on.

There is no need to bash any user of OSX, Vista or Linux. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. Isn't that the reason why there are many options as of now in the operating system market, some Os's appeal to some while the rest appeal to others.

DaIntellectual

@SneakerFiend:

You're not alone. I love my Vista too. The boot up is a little slower, but then I'm running it on a 4 year old machine. If you are into multimedia, and networking that multi-media throughout your home; Vista has a few new perks for you.

robinandtami

@SneakerFiend: You're not alone. To quote the signature I use on Slashdot, "I'm a rare breed, especially for Slashdot: A happy Windows Vista user."

@Maksimir: It's not much, and I do still use XP on my second computer (partly because there's no way in hell it could handle Vista). I just like some of the new-but-small features in Vista, like the Network and Sharing Center, the search bar in the Start Menu, the Games menu, that kind of thing.

And DreamScene is exceedingly spiffy. Effectively useless, but oh-so-spiffy.

Rhainor

I don't do virusscanning on my XP machine. I run Defender (which is small and very discrete) but I also don't spend my day getting rick-n-rolled and/or clicking on gay porn.

Moonshine Mike

@deux_ex_machina:

i wouldn't count on that, why take the only decent thing away from vista and stick it on xp for free and further jeopardize vista sales

Gonzie

@SneakerFiend: I'm just curious (not bashing you for your opinion) - aside from the prettier UI (aero) what in Vista makes it a better OS than Xp for you?

I'm running both Xp & Vista at work and home and I find it really hasn't improved much at all over Xp.

Maksimir

Yikes... I HOPE they're not prepping a 'service pack' for my ass.

ParJoe

I can't wait, though now the first few commenters are really wanting me to download the RC now and install it early!

greasypigstudios

@deux_ex_machina: Vista isnt slow on my computer.
Actually i love vista and i guess im going to be the person to get flamed this thread but im one of the supposedly few users that actually likes vista.
This means that microsoft is going to have way more updates for vista maybe this way we'll get a smoother running OS because even though i like it there are plenty of things that could be upgraded like the start up programs menu. I'd like to have full control over what happens instead of having to be limited to the few options and things i can disable and remove.

SneakerFiend

Yoshi, most of the security updates in Vista will be in XP SP3. I tried to live with Vista (bought it on a new quad core) but it was ungodly slow and unuseable.

I'm sticking with OS X and XP. I've been a loyal Windows user for a long time but Vista is a train wreck.

dmbfan3333

I want my... I want my.... I want my S.. P.. Threeee...

Money for nothing and your Service Packs for free!

Maksimir

This will be the last SP I'll need for my wife's XP desktop alright . . . her next computer will be a Mac :)

AZTriGuy

I look at it as "what does vista do that I feel I'm really lacking in XP?" The answer is nothing. Dx10 maybe when games finally start to upgrade to that. However there is supposed to be no reason why Dx10 couldn't have been released on XP.

Considering how much a new OS can screw you, I need some solid reasons to upgrade.

1roll20s

Funny how M$ is doing everything to avoid fixing Vista_

- focusing on an XP service pack
- developing Windows 7 [which by the way is at least the 9th installment of Winodws
- working on a top secret phone to take on the iPhone [maybe]
- playing Minesweeper all day

uberfu

@yoshi: I like Vista too, but I won't run it without virus protection.

JRock

Just install Vista. It's nice having an operating system where you don't need virus scanning.

It's much faster and more secure than XP.

yoshi

Kind of off topic, but I think this idea of Microsoft trying to get everyone to use Vista is pretty short sighted on their part. Where I work, which has ~1000 PC's, we JUST started upgrading everything to XP and Server '03. That's just how the I.T. world works; you make sure the software/hardware WORKS, then you implement it. In the case of Vista, it just doesn't work for businesses who can't afford errors/crashes/giant-flames-shooting-out-of-the-DVD-drive.

I understand the need for software companies to develop and sell new software. I mean, they're in it to make money, just like every other business. But when it comes to what software is meant to do, and what we expect it to do, the "make a new version every year and expect everyone to upgrade to it" mentality doesn't really float.

CajunGuy

I have been running with no issues as well. I do not have that them though. I still only have the windows XP theme.

Nino

nino63004

So have I. I have had it since it was posted on this site that you had to get a patch from Microsoft so windows update would see the update.

Nino

nino63004

is that an additionally vista-like theme that comes with sp3 in the picture or some sort of skin/theme program for xp? vista looks without the slug. where do i get it.

deux_ex_machina

I've been running SP3 for awhile and haven't had any issues.

Tw33kR

Correction:

PC manufacturers will stop shipping new PCs with XP installed (Vista only) this June.

Microsoft will continue selling XP through January 31, 2009.

And, XP will be supported (in some fashion) until 2014. Yes, 2014. So quit hemming and hawing about "having" to upgrade. It's BS.

SuppleMonkey

So this is supposed to seriously screw up XP so we're forced to "upgrade" to Vista right?

I actually got the Vista disc for free after purchasing my Sony laptop the November before it came out, and have been frightened of it and hid it in the bottom of a box (a rubbermaid one at that).

avantreese

@DaIntellectual:
@strider_mt2k:

I'm no MS fanboi by any means, but I agree with you both here. I'm running XP currently on 1 of my PCs and keep the updates current as well as being behind a SPI hardware firewall I have had no issues what-so-ever with XP. I do remember thinking the same thing about XP that I do now with Vista; Not yet. When XP first came out, SP1 and pre, it was not a great opsys, and people knew it. Now it is not a horrible opsys by any means. Tis a bit bloated but not bad.

I think Vista is coming for me as well, but not yet. I think in 6 months or a year it will be a much more stable product and hopefully they will have kicked the sluggish response and boot time. For now I'm sticking with XP and Red Hat.

I'm not trying to start an opsys flame war or anything like that, but after working with apple as much as I have to if it came down to Vista or a Mac for me Id take Vista; actually if it came down to Win 3.11 or mac, Im thinking 3.11.
Well maybe not that extreme. If that was the choice I think Id stay computer-less frankly; or just stick with RH.

Out2gtcha

@strider_mt2k: 2232BW? Just crank down the contrast and brightness on that puppy, and you'll love it.

AmishJohn

Buy a mac and then install xp and vista. Then you can have it all!

prince_of_paradox

@AZTriGuy: For starters, I have a Powerbook G4 and Front Row in installed. While the interface is nice, and for pure multimedia, you might like Front Row for files on the HD, Media Center has some features which benefits me: Namely DVR functionality and extender use.
I've played around with Front Row, but do not have a tuner for the Powerbook, so maybe it has some DVR functions, but I'm sold on the Media Center. I use it in combination with my Xbox 360 as an extender. I have a web interface that allows me to record a show from anywhere with an internet connection.
The Extender option is nice, I'm actually going to be buying a new Xbox as an extender for the upstairs so we can watch playback up there. It's like a Tivo for the whole house. Right now, I have the server in the basement (believe it or not) connected directly to the 2nd floor TV using ethernet USB 1.1 extenders and component video and digital audio baluns (would have been cheaper to get a 360 Pro, but it was before I had a Media Center OS)

What I don't like? The inability to retain Album art means it has to repopulate EVERY time it loads. The fact I had to buy a whole OS for this application, and the fact I cannot get WHS with a Media Center Server application.

That being said, would I give it up? With the rumours of an AppleTV with DVR functionality, yes. I would gladly get an AppleTV with DVR, another without and (hopefully) have the same functionality, no 24hr Server, save power, make things a bit simpler (I don't need a dedicated Tivo/file server computer)

Lizard_King

Just installed Vista SP1 on my desktop (have Vista Ultimate 64-bit) and I gotta say, I was actually impressed by how much smoother my system is finally running. It's booting faster, doesn't take as long to finish tasks, and my sound and video cards are actually finally getting along with Vista (Yeah... I was the unlucky one who decided to get an X-Fi Elite Pro and an 8800 GTS card... Both of which hated Vista and caused many many problems...) Now if I can only find a damn firewall to install without having to pay a gizillion dollars for it...

Of course though, I still rely heavily on trusty ol' XP, which I boot and use mainly. Its strange to say, but I cant wait to see the improvements that will come in SP3. However, at the same time, I am skeptical of installing it, mainly because SP2 took care of so many problems and was what really boosted XP the most. As the saying goes: "If it aint broke dont fix it..."

SomeoneUKno

LOL, sorry, I'm not being reticent at all. I'm 100% XP user. Already tried Vista and it sucked too much (Ultimate, for the curious) on my laptop (Vista preloaded).
Maybe some months from now, when I have the time to try to deal with it again, I'll give it another shot.

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

@prince_of_paradox: For a lot more money!!

wjousts

@1roll20s, okok ok... Dude you failed!

NOTE: replace Photoshop, with any software you want.

Using your way of thinking, I say the same for ANYTHING... why do I need to buy Photoshop CS3, when they could make a update for CS2, their is NO reason why they could simply make a simple free update. I mean it does cost more than Vista. They have no reason for me to upgrade.

GoodBytes

SP3 Beta patch ruined my entire system I had to uninstall it. So disappointing >:O

mortgagepayment