Windows Vista So how do you like Vista after you got it...?

Hi folks, it's been over a year since beta testers got our hands on the new OS, and coming up on 10 months for those who either upgraded to it, or bought a new computer with Vista pre-installed.

So what do you think? Vista has not exactly gotten the best press. It also created numerous hardware as well as software compatibility problems. A lot of people were/are disappointed. I, for one, like it a lot, but I happen to enjoy playing with operating systems.

What has been your experience with Vista, and was it positive, or negative? It initially took me about 3 months to fully commit to Vista, but now, it has been the only OS I have used for about half a year. I am mostly impressed with Vista's improvement of WiFi for "under-the-hood" changes, but I also like the 3D Aero glass. The Sidebar is cool as well, although, of course, not necessary. The latter two are only useful if you have a lot of RAM and CPU power. Otherwise it is best to turn them off if you have a slower machine. My 2 cents...

 

I like the fact it is a lil more automated than previous os's but several of my favorite programs just will not work even in compatability mode.
Unfortunately many large business' will not upgrade due to lack of support for older programs. this is a ms downfall and at present only 7 percent of the computer community has adopted Vista. IMO they should have waited and made it more proficient and they would have had a better turn out.

My 2 cents

 

I use home premium (multibooting with XP and linux) and after setting it to classical where possible it runs fine, almost as fast as XP - all three are 64 bit versions on an AMD processor. I like the win-key-tab view of open windows, and the round clock. Haven't had a problem running any programs yet.

My really serious beef is that the reprogramming of explorer.exe killed many of the keystrokes I love in XP and also has a serious fault in the right pane: just try to mark a group of files using keystrokes (shift-down-arrow) to see it.

 

Vista has some pretty eye candy, and I like the new security features that most ordinary users have no idea how to turn off. However, if I have any real work to do, I boot into XP because Vista will NOT run all my software. I'm not crazy about the new Windows Explorer, either, but I'll get used to it eventually. Vista provides a marvelous excuse to splurge on new hardware, don't you think? I know what I want Santa to bring me from Tiger Direct...
Johanna

 

I've been using Vista Home Basic since June, but I'm glad I have it. I love the search function in the start menu; hardware detection seems much faster/smoother (with an occasional hiccup with not detecting certain displays I want to plug my laptop into). I turned off the sidebar and the Google Desktop search (which was slowing down the computer considerably--methinks that a fair amount of the slowness which folks complain about in Vista is due to this). Not too sure if this is Vista vs XP or better hardware, but this laptop (Dual Core with a gig of RAM and Vista) sure beats the pants off the previous laptop in terms of coming out of standby/hibernation and sleep--its much quicker and pretty much never freezes. Having said that, I'd never upgrade--man, this laptop was only a few hundred more than an upgrade copy of Vista. Nor is there a couple hundred bucks worth of improvement over XP, in my opinion. But I'll take Vista on an OEM any day of the week.

 

It's the hardware Dual booting on an HP laptop with dual core and a gig of RAM. There are some things better, the search, and WIFI performance to name two.

You put your finger on why Vista doesn't generate all that much enthusiasm - the cost, both direct and in terms of hardware requirements vs what you get.

Echo Evans's anticipation of SP1, hope MS has been listening.

 

Interesting responses so far. When I switch to my 200GB drive, I think I'll still keep the dual-boot option. What I'd really like to do is a triple-boot with Linux. Yes, yes, I know. I'm a geek.

I've heard from numerous friends that they absolutely *HATE* the UAC, or as they term it, the fact that they have to click on something every 2 seconds. I like the new security features, and the rock-solid firewall no longer necessitates a third-party firewall. Well, for now, at least. I turned UAC off for a while, but eventually turned it back on. It's a great way to prevent some malware from executing without your knowledge and ability to stop it. I'm also impressed at all the hotfixes and patches that have been coming out. There is no longer the overheating problem I used to have. Application compatibility is now at the point where there is not a single piece of software that I cannot run due to compatibility issues. And it still BLOWS ME AWAY that the WiFi was improved to such a strong extent, especially with the most recent driver.

Evan Oma: You were lucky. With OS's, the best thing to do is a clean install, and then install one app after another to re-build your previous setup.

Johanna: LOL...yea, I agree. I typically swap my Thinkpads approx. once per 1-2 years anyway, and luckily, I had just upgraded to a Core Duo when I first got Release Candidate 2 of Vista. And 1GB is definitely not enough, if you have only a few apps open and are running the sidebar, and the Aero glass. 1.5GB would do it, but I would say, just get another GB stick and make it 2GB. Always leave room for error. lol...

sparrow: I want to get 64-bit as well, so I am already looking for a replacement for my current IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T60p, because I really would love to have UXGA again. The T61/p's don't have IBM's legendary IPS Flexview LCD's anymore, so I might just go for another T60p with a Core *2* Duo, and a 15" UXGA. If anyone has anything for sale, I'm game.

Fang: There are a lot of companies still running Win2k, and even the 9x series. The rule for most companies is to wait for at least SP1 to come out. But I agree. Vista is great, IF you have a computer that's not older than a year or two. Two is already pushing it, IMHO.

Has anyone experienced Vista actually working FASTER on a fast-enough machine? I want to say (maybe it's my imagination) that application start-up, boot-up and shutdown, as well performing other tasks, feel like they're FASTER than XP *on the SAME* hardware...???

Take care everyone.

 

Hi Crunch,

It does boot up a little faster, but then I don't have as many startups as I do in XP, at least not yet. BTW, both load up with about 30% RAM being used. And as I wrote, XP has more startups. So Vista, the OS itself, uses more RAM, not supprising, and expected.

Keep in mind that a lot of the XP/Vista comparisons are with XP installations that have been running for ? (months - years) and probably kluged up with dead/inappropriate/badly ininstalled/uninstalled software with their register entries and files that were never cleaned out properly.

I'm not saying that's the case for you becasue I think you know better, but generally, I think that's the story.

I got a chance to compare XP and Vista with both being new installs on the same hardware.

 

This article has some better numbers as to how ms is doing with vista.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista-Slowly-Killing-XP-69423.shtml

 

Have been using Vista Home Premium since last March and really like it. I previously had Windows 98SE at home and XP at work. I have it set to Classic and have no problems with Vista, but the updates are another problem. It seems that when allowing auto update and there are multiple updates they cause problems with my system. I now have auto update turned off and when I am notified of the updates I install one at a time and since doing this have had no problems the updates so far. I tried to install a bios update provided by HP for my computer and it froze my system and was unable to anything, the mouse and the keyboard were not working, so HP sent a tech and he replaced the motherboard. Basically I like Vista.

 

Yup yup, I agree. A lot of apples and oranges comparisons. The last time I installed Vista from scratch, I had formatted the entire hard drive after doing an 11-DVD's worth backup lol...I only have Partition Magic installed on XP for the purpose of installing Vista obviously. I gave Vista 70% of the HD space this time, as my confidence in the OS has increased exponentially.

I also killed off a bunch of start-up's, both applications, as well as services, which made quite a bit of difference.

I tried to see if I could get anywhere near the 2GB of RAM I have installed. I had Firefox open with 20 tabs, IE7, MS Word 2007, Vista sidebar with 8 gadgets, Aero glass and 3D are always on, and AIM for VoiP and IM'ing. It used only 58%, so even 1.5GB would cover it, but it's nice to see that 2GB gives it a LOT of room for even more. (see my obsession with UXGA lol)

XP is only there anymore for emergency purposes. I don't remember, but did XP have this many problems getting out of the gate when it first launched? I don't think it did, did it?

 

Hi Crunch,

Oh yeah A lot of the same type of complaints and problems. I especially remember the ton of problems that SP2 had back in 2004. This forum was a lively place One mitigating factor for XP was WinME, which most considered a disaster, so XP was a relief. BTW, I ran WinMe and I was one of the few that actually liked it.

I think Vista has had a smoother beginning than XP. I think that's partially true because not as many have installed Vista on older existing hardware, rather, more people bought new systems for Vista. I don't have hard data for that though. That's what I did.

 

Funny. I did the same thing. What did you get? By the way, I've noticed you're always eager to help, which I very much appreciate. If you have a Thinkpad, or ever decide to get one, I could order you some parts for free... If you have AT&T for wireless, let me know if you ever need BM codes, rollover mins., and/or a bill credit here and there. And if you're not and you want to switch, I can hook you up with a VIP account...25% off each month, no activation fee, retention plans, equipment half off, etc., etc.

 

Hi Crunch,

It's an HP laptop: dual core - I gig of RAM - two hard drives.

Thanks That's a characteristic of all the regulars.

Appreciate the offer, if ever in need.....