How To Choose Between Windows XP and Windows Vista

Windows XP and Windows Vista are not the same. How and why is this? It is not just the date, or the new style of the toolbar. And this how-to will tell you, in popular opinion, which one is better, and points to consider about each one-- the good and the bad.

Step 1  

Check your machine meets the requirements

Step 2  

Now you need some good positives and some outstanding faults in order to buy either one, right? Well, since that could take days and days to do, the page will tell you some major differences:  

• Windows Vista
  • New
  • Higher quality graphics on supported video cards
  • Comes with Internet Explorer 7 preinstalled. IE7 is more secure than previous Internet Explorer versions, and has a better pop-up blocker and phishing protection
  • It can be used with Microsoft DirectX 10
• Vista's faults
  • Is less secure than XP.
  • Runs 15% slower than a computer with Windows XP installed.
  • Requires 512MB of memory to even run, 1GB minimum to run comfortably.
  • Vista comes pre-configured with User Account Control, a security monitoring system. Any time that an action is about to be performed that requires Administrator status (installing a program, writing to or deleting system files, changing critical system settings, etc.), the user will be asked to allow or deny the action, and must respond to the prompt to continue. This can become quite annoying. User Account Control can be turned off, but that defeats the purpose of the security system.
  • Vista is sometimes unstable with the current release. The majority of consumer reports call it "unreliable," or "...just simply the worst operating system for...its complexity." New patches are being created to fix some problems, and hopefully these concerns will be addressed in the first Service Pack.

Step 3  

You may also have problems especially with printing, the printer doesn't seem to print out your work, photos etc (this problem makes the program bad for the use at schools).  

• Windows XP
  • Sufficient
  • Faster in most situations
  • More readily compatible with current software and hardware.
• XP's faults
  • It is not as new.
  • It is not as secure as Windows Vista (though this is disputed).
  • It's GUI is not as beautiful as Windows Vista's
  • It is not compatible with Microsoft DirectX 10

Step 4  

Read the consumer reports everywhere. Get your own personal opinion from reading. Then choose the best one for you.

Step 5  

Look around at computer and electronics stores and retailers of software when you go out shopping. Look and compare prices, so you'll get the best deal. Try to play some with both operating systems in the store.

Step 6  

Carefully think it over, and then go to buying it.

Tips

• Check return policies on goods at the store you want to buy from. If it does not work for you, you'll want to return it and try again.
• If you are considering upgrading your current computer to Vista, do not even try to upgrade a computer over a year old without doing some massive hardware upgrades. Higher end computers purchased in the last year should be capable of running Vista, but download the Vista Upgrade Advisor from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx?wt_svl=10008WHa1&mg_id=10008WHb1 just to make sure it will run properly.
• Realize that Vista is new so there are still things to be fixed, just like when XP came out.

Warnings

• If you activate a store bought Vista package after installing, you most likely will not be able to return it to the store, as it cannot be resold.
• Do not buy Vista for the sake of it - only buy it if you could give a good reason, not just because it is new.

Things You'll Need

• A computer
• Programs (Windows Vista and Windows XP) to compare for yourself.