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Episode 15: Vista—Bad Rap or is it Crap?
Episode Air Date: May 29, 2009
Episode Summary
The question "Should I upgrade to Windows Vista?" is something that we're all too familiar with here in the shop. This week, our Über Tech weighs out the differences between Windows XP and Vista; why you should upgrade, and why you might want to wait it out for Windows 7. Windows 7? Wha...?
So what is Windows? XP? Vista?
When we're talking about Microsoft Windows, Windows XP or Windows Vista, these are the Operating Systems (OS) that run your computer. Time for an analogical example. An Operating System is to your computer what an engine is to your car. Without an engine, your car will still look nice, but you're not going to get anywhere. The same applies to your operating system—this is what runs your system, whether you know it's there or not!
For today's episode, we're talking specifically about the Windows OS (sorry, Linux/Mac users!). Now generally speaking, you only have one operating system running your computer at a time (same as how you have only one engine running your car). And from time to time a new Windows operating system will be released from Microsoft that promises to be bigger, better, faster, (fill in your own adjective), than ever before. At this point in time, the latest OS from Microsoft is Vista.
TechDish Hot Tip
How to Get Windows XP (for now)
Sales of Windows XP are slimming out and it is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase a new computer that comes with XP. But, there are still two ways to get it!
- Purchase a Netbook (what's this?).
Netbooks coming with a Windows OS will have XP on them, at least until we see Windows 7
- Purchase Vista "with XP Downgrade".
Sure, it's going to cost more, but if you really want XP…
Microsoft Windows Does Not Mean Microsoft Office
We do help solve a lot of confusion with customers in the store that have the misconception that Microsoft Windows comes with other Microsoft products, like Word, Excel and Powerpoint—for the record, it doesn't.
To get Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, etc., you need to purchase on of the Microsoft Office software bundles. We have a few offerings of these in the store, why not check them out?
Why Should I Upgrade to Vista?
We'll refrain from throwing you the "everyone is doing it" pitch, because "everyone" clearly is not. But, there are some very good reasons why you should still consider an upgrade to Windows Vista.
Gamers—You WANT DX10
Windows Vista comes with DirectX 10 (what's this?), and you can't get it anywhere else. For you gamers out there, you'll want to get Vista installed, or you won't be able to play, take advantage of, or both, on the latest games and software titles that utilize this new graphics API.
Windows XP vs. Vista
Why you might want to keep XP…
There are some legitimate reasons you might want to stick around with Windows XP for a while longer, and it's not just because of your comfort zone. The biggest and most important, is Software and/or Hardware Incompatibility. If you have older hardware or software, it's likely that it will not work with Windows Vista. Maybe you have a printer or scanner that is more than 5 years old, or you're still using older software—you will probably not be able to use this on Windows Vista. If you're considering an upgrade to Vista and want to see if your system can handle it, check out the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, a free tool that will analyze the software and hardware of your system and check for compatibility with Vista.
Another reason to keep XP is Cost—both of the software package, and the cost of upgrading your existing hardware and software. Many of us are in penny-pinching mode these days, and so the cost of an upgrade definitely weighs in on our budgets.
…but why you really should upgrade to Vista
Aside from the hype of DX10 and new visual enhancements, there are some very good reasons you'll want to upgrade to Vista.
- Extremely powerful Networking
While this writer was a bit confused at first of the new locations and clumsy renaming of tools and settings, the new networking features in Windows Vista are very good!
- It's the latest Windows = the most secure Windows
there is a more heavy emphasis on security updates and patches for Vista than there is for XP; thus making it the most secure Windows platform to-date.
- Get it now, XP support will someday run out.
A good thing can't last forever. And now with Vista in full deployment, and Windows 7 just around the corner, it won't be long before you can't purchase XP, let alone get the same level of help and support for it.