Windows Vista Thinking about updating to Vista

I've been trying to decide whether or not to purchase Vista but I need some assistance from the helpful people here. My computer is used several hours daily BUT only for recreational use as I am retired and have a lot of free time. I use email and IE and I also enjoy viewing photos provided by family members. I currently use XP Pro with current updates and it works very good and is pretty fast with my wireless internet provider. I have two hard drives and I think I could install VISTA on the second hard drive and have a dual bootup with XP. I'm a classic klutz and I am not sure whether or not I would be successful installing a new stick of RAM or a new graphic card. If I wasn't so thrifty (cheap) I could have my local computer shop install more RAM and a graphic card but I could probably buy a new computer for what it would cost.

My computer is a white box built by a local computer shop in April 2004 and my components are -
Two Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.00GHz
512MB DDR PC 2700 RAM (single stick, one free slot)
420 watt power supply
Radeon 9200SE, ATI Technologies

I ran Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor and obtained the following results -
Your computer can run Windows Vista
Based on our scan of your system, Windows Vista Business appears to be the best edition for you.
ATI Desktop Component - Due to compatibility issues, this program may not work as expected after upgrading to Windows Vista. (Does not support AERO)
ATI's website states RADEON 9200 SE AGP is NOT compatible with Vista

My questions are -

As the minimum of RAM required for Vista is 512MB would Vista run slow on my computer with 512MB RAM?

As the ATI website says my RADEON 9200 SE AGP is NOT compatible with Vista does that mean it would not work at all or does it mean it would work BUT I would not get all of the AERO perks?

Would the OEM version of Windows Vista Ultimate $199 be apropriate?

Maybe I should just forget about upgrading to Vista and continue using my XP Pro.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

I think that the question here is what do you expect to get out of Vista that you can't get from your current XP rig?

I've got a friend who has Windows 98 and he's always being told to upgrade. But his Win98 computer does everything that he wants it to do, and it does it well. So there's no need to upgrade - especially if you're comfortable with what you've got.

 

No Vista for me for now?

I have heard that Vista is not for me if I do not want Microsoft knowing more than I feel that they need to know. About me or my system. P.S Just my own personal opinion? loonychoons

 

Hello June,

I agree with Steve and John.

You have a 2 year+ system and anyone thinking about upgrading a system w/o the latest graphic cards and drivers will have to be prepared to do a lot of hands on hardware/driver updating and troubleshooting and then go thru the process of finding compatable software for security (AV's and firewall) and almost everything else.

An example is Zone Labs who haven't yet produced a version that will work on Vista. Upgrading to Vista a system that runs incompatable softwware would be a disaster.

Its unknown at this point just how productive Vista is as opposed to XP once you get past the "cool" graphics.

You will end up with Vista anyway when replacing your system.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks everyone for the information.

I really don't "need" Vista as my computer works great for my needs. I have a ViewSonic VX900 19" LCD monitor so I don't "need" a monitor either. I was just looking for an excuse to buy myself a present to help me get through the COLD below zero winter days. If I get the urge to be extravagant I will call the computer shop that built my computer and get a quote for installing a new graphic card and additional RAM. I can install the software okay. This would help me decide whether to upgrade this computer or purchase a new computer. My husband ignores my computer so I should be able to convince him I really need to replace it...but I might have to buy him a new plasma TV which we don't need either.

 

Go for the Plasma TV. You'll spend more time with the husband that way.

 

Men do stick together!!! However, I'm not convinced we need to replace our TV. We purchased a 36" model in 2001 and hubby can spend hours clicking the wonderful remote control through many satellite TV channels without actually watching anything. While he is doing that fun thing, I open a bottle of Corbett Canyon, sit down at my computer that is located in a corner of the living room and remain there for several hours...we must be the most boring couple on earth! This special "togetherness" has kept us under the same roof (without either of us doing bodily harm to the other one) for over fifty years but I doubt that means anything.

Seriously, this website is a great source of computer information and helps me keep my computer working at top speed. THANKS!!!