Vista (split from BH thread)

[dangel]

Basic? Nasty.

I'd punt up a little more for premium - there's a world of difference.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Basic? Nasty.

I'd punt up a little more for premium - there's a world of difference.

I don't think so TBH. Vista Basic is cheaper and does the job. I have Vista Business and I have switched off the rubbish Aero interface and indexxing. Vista Business does not have even have Windows Media Center. Big deal!!

The other "features" can recreated using free software which will do the job better anyway. I would rather put the money saved towards other things.

If you want flashy then go with Ubuntu(with Beryl installed) for free.

[david@scan]

http://www.scan.co.uk/TodayOnly/#13

[dangel]

I don't think so TBH. Vista Basic is cheaper and does the job. I have Vista Business and I have switched off the rubbish Aero interface and indexxing..

Indexing isn't an issue (unless you've got it indexing masses of stuff) and it's bloody useful for the start menu (the default). Aero offloads work from your CPU, so saying it's 'rubbish' is a little silly (especially when you realise there's no GDI acceleration in Vista either..).

But YMMV - personally i'd prefer HP every time. Your dime, your choice

[Sumanji]

Good for netbooks!

[dangel]

Good for netbooks!

Nah, go with 7 or XP - both are a far better choice (sadly in the latter case)

[Sumanji]

7 is still Beta/RC and XP is o-l-d. A vLited Vista install works really well actually

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Indexing isn't an issue (unless you've got it indexing masses of stuff) and it's bloody useful for the start menu (the default). Aero offloads work from your CPU, so saying it's 'rubbish' is a little silly (especially when you realise there's no GDI acceleration in Vista either..).

But YMMV - personally i'd prefer HP every time. Your dime, your choice

I have been using the retail version of Vista from early 2007 and found Aero annoying after a while . It did nothing for useability IMHO. If I want flashy effects Ubuntu with Beryl does it better for free anyway and I can use a much slower computer which would probably cry if Vista was run on it. I customise the desktops on my computers so it is quicker for me to use and Aero does not add anything to help in this regard.

I hate indexing as it is a pain TBH and there was far less hard disk thrashing when it was switched off. Anyway I know where I keep my files so indexing is of no use for me and is just anther useless process running in the background. I have shut off all background processes in Vista which are of no use to me and it makes Vista run much better now and it does not hog so much resources. I was actually surprised at the improvement TBH. I use the computer to run applications and I do not want the OS trying to hog any of the resources for no benefit. Many people who I know who had Vista on their notebooks saw a big improvement in performance after indexing and Aero were switched off. I like the way Windows 7 is going in this regard as it may end up being more efficient than Vista.

[drunkenmaster]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...s/default.aspx

in reality and a not so close look theres a world of difference, in reality when you read what all those checked items do, theres very little useful functionality added, some syncing stuff, media centre. I have to admit that I thought there was more difference, they really did go on at length pre release how cut down it was. But I'd never use any of those features, media centre which I know other people use quite a bit is still easily replaced by other software.

But tbh, buying a Vista copy now is just a waste, Windows 7 beta was better than Vista, it felt nicer, some cosmetic stuff I wasn't overly fond of, but then it was the same stuff they changed from XP to vista that I also didn't like changed, folder styles and so on. But it was sleeker, more responsive, had less issues come up, felt faster and was simply nicer to use.

Its not exactly far away, is a very accomplished OS and the uptake to Windows 7 will be far larger than Vista, quicker, and support should be excellent from the get go.

Wait a few months, maybe as late as October and buy Win 7, money on Vista now is money down the drain tbh.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

why get this when win 7 is free

[this_is_gav]

I'm with dangel. Aero isn't just a pretty face, but makes better use of your resources too. OK, so it's hardly worth the extra for that alone, but sitting at a PC every day for 2 or 3 years. Non-glass Aero would drive me nuts. £1 extra per month over that period for Aero Glass and the other extras? I'll take that please.

Personally I'd prefer Vista Basic with the old Classic theme. I'm hardly one for "ooooh, shiny", but Basic is just urgh [/5 yr old mode].

I hate indexing as it is a pain TBH and there was far less hard disk thrashing when it was switched off.

Somehow you've managed to go way off topic, but if you let it do its work initially there really isn't much thereafter. Occasional updates while your system is idle (which is halted immediately once that hard drive is used again) and that's about it. Let it do its stuff and it pays you back big time.

The biggest hard drive hog is Windows Defender. That gets disabled straight away.

[MadduckUK]

Wait a few months, maybe as late as October and buy Win 7

why get this when win 7 is free

a year of free OS wins for me tbh, this is pretty much selling off obsolete stock

[polly69]

I wouldn't entertain buying a copy of XP or vista now windows7 is out in October and you can download the new RC of it for nothing from Microsoft or the usual places and even now its better than vista and more stable and its free I'm surprised that they are not giving vista away in crackers now as its the biggest joke ever and to pay for the pleasure is madness.

When vista first came out i bought a retail copy of premium and i can honestly say that Ive never installed it its still in the pack its only been the last couple of months Ive been using vista and that's the 64bit ultimate i was happy using XP pro but it was a shame to let all my resources sit unused or id still be using XP as it rock solid.

The sooner they put the wounded dog out of its misery the better and in windows7 they have finally understood that we dont wont that UAC so its not forced on you and if you dont want it on you aren't nagged to death about it like you are with vista. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS? YES I ****ING AM OR I WOULDNT HAVE DONE IT.

[reaper0374]

In my opinion, far better getting Vista Ultimate academic upgrade from "RM's - The Basement" for a measly £56.75. Would post a link, but can't yet due to only having a few posts! Google it, it's easy to find. There are are places doing much the same deal if you have a look about.

It may be an upgrade version, but if you have a quick google, you will soon see that it can be used to do a clean install without needing a previous operating system at all.

Granted it may be "academic", however I dare say most folk will know somebody that would be eligible for this. Myself and quite a few friends have bought Vista and Office via this place, and they have always been absolutely spot on with their service.

If anybody is interested in this, please note that it is only the 32-bit disc that is supplied, and you can't apply to MS for the 64-bit media with the academic serial. Trust me, I tried. However - if you can lay your hands on a 64-bit disc elsewhere, then the serial works no probs.

(Re-reading the above - I am aware that for a first post it may look a bit like spam, but just trying to save you some cash!)

[ipcam]

Don't bother with Vista Home basic, should go for Vista Business at minimum. You can get Vista Business at a cheaper price from Software4Students (if any of your family member in education).

[dangel]

I have been using the retail version of Vista from early 2007 and found Aero annoying after a while . It did nothing for useability IMHO. If I want flashy effects Ubuntu with Beryl does it better for free anyway and I can use a much slower computer which would probably cry if Vista was run on it. I customise the desktops on my computers so it is quicker for me to use and Aero does not add anything to help in this regard.

Except it does, as i pointed out. But (also) as I said - your dime buddy.