what are they? if it matters, the computer in question will be used for very basic stuff - MS office applications and occasional internet surfing.

So you are assuming there are both cons and pros?

no, i'm being PC.

I've been using Vista for a little over eight months now. I love it. I've never had any real "issues" with it.You could say that my needs are basic. Similar to what you've outlined. If its coming free with your new computer,I think you should go for it.If not, I see no reason to "upgrade" from XP.

I do not like Vista. I have used it a few times and have always had trouble with all the new 'security' features that are made to protect dumb users from doing dumb things, but prevent the average user from doing simple every day tasks and you have to right-click on everything to Run as Administrator. I wasn't a fan of it the 10 or so times I have had to use it, but have not been using it consistently.

That is a setting that is easily changed.

As I said I've only used it 10 or so times (and not for long periods of time) so I can't tell you for sure, I just know that I haven't enjoyed the experience I have had with it.

It has certainly improved since I first started using it and started getting updates. I'm the admin on my laptop, so I don't have to worry so much about those warnings (they just make the Mac vs PC ads so much funnier!). I'm more used to it now then XP and I don't like XP anymore (although I did want it when my harddrive died, but I just put Vista back on). If you're using it for basic things, then go for it.

The few times I used it, it looked too rectangular and sort of flattened.

Pros:
Nice interface
Supposedly "more secure" than any other Windows OS.

Cons:
Memory Hog
Windows XP performs 10% better than Windows Vista
It's eye candy with no real substance

Personal take:
If you have a choice between XP and Vista, go with XP.

everything microsoft makes has a setting that is easily changed. The problem is I don't want to spend the whole d#mn day easily changing settings.

I'm looking for a new laptop and every darn laptop out there comes with Vista

Had a funny conversation today:
softwaremanager: maybe I could install *every* [insert open source software] package there is
softwaremanager: even conflicting ones!
me: That sounds like Windows Vista

Hamaivin Yavin.

I haven't seen it and don't have much cheshek to. Dayo letzore bishaato.

MacBooks don't.

Get a Dell with XP, avoid Vista's bloat and DRM. If you don't know what DRM s, google it and see why Vista's DRM is bad.
And why M$ Office? Openoffice.org works rather well and is a free download.

Eli

Can Vista be uninstalled and replaced with XP?

Does Vista run any special checks to make sure that all MS software (like Office) has been properly licensed and paid for?

that's what i ended up doing.

Dell still sells some with XP.

Not without buying XP.

Yes.

Eli

I don't know what I'll do when my current laptop dies. I refuse to go over to the dark side (ie: Vista). Maybe I'll go over to Mac if necessary.

Meaning you can no longer install pirated Microsoft products, even if you have the CD key????????

That is largely correct. Those lovely Office 2000 Corporate CDs that are everywhere don't work on Vista.

Eli

The problem with freeware other than Firefox is that you have to be a computer genius to figure out what you need and what to do. Most people just want to turn on their brand new computer and be able to use it.

Just install Ubuntu and be happy!

Eli

Such a random question, but how come in the last 2 months or so EVERYONE I speak to suggests Ubuntu, and I never even heard of it before? Not even the people here in the office suggested it till the past couple months -- before then it was all Debian, and now bossman is Ubuntu happy and making me do all the work setting up the new computers (since he's never done an install himself of it before)

(And I am NOT a hardware person...by any stretch of the imagination. He is.)

true or not?

i just ordered a thinkpad with XP.

Ubuntu is Debian-based and growing rapidly. It is a stabilized Lenny that is preconfigured for easy use. I hope you're installing it with a /, /home, and swap partitions instead of just / and swap. / only needs to be 10 gigs unless you install a stupid amount of software.

Vista has a number of anti-piracy provisions that keeps you from using pirated anything.

Eli

I know what it is, and I've already done the installation successfully. I just thought it was interesting that until recently I had never really heard of it, and all of a sudden everyone I speak to can't stop singing its praises, which was not the case 5 months ago.

It has been the most talked about Linux distribution since October of '06.

Weird. I guess all the people I know are a year behind the times.

I was all set to buy a new HP Pavillion, and showed a computer friend the specs. Horrified, she asked me what I was thinking getting Vista.

I wanted that computer and they all come with Vista. I really don't want Dell. What should I do?

Does getting a Vista computer and then reformatting it and putting on XP void the warranty?

I have absolutely no idea. Then again, I never get around to using my warranties anyway, should the need ever occur.

Are you looking for a laptop or PC? I recently saw an ad for a Thinkpad with XP -- for $799?

You can get XP laptops at the Best Buy business site:
<h2 class="r">Best Buy For Business</h2>and

<h2 class="r">Dell Small & Medium Business Computers</h2>
(You dont have to be a business to buy).

I was extremely wary of Vista when I recently purchased a new laptop, I had heard a whole bunch of terrible things. However, I must report that I have been pleasantly surprised and enjoy it very much. No problems at all.

No, but they may refuse to give you tech support for any software related issues....

Dells are available with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled and supported. Alternatively, one can use Linux Mint, which is based off the Debian/Ubuntu distributions, but with multimedia, wireless, etc support out of the box. IMHO, it's a contender for an actual Windows replaement (and my current distro of choice).