Comments on: Why all Vista users should upgrade to Windows XP

Microsoft has made XP Service Pack 3 available to Windows users. And as Don Reisinger points out, it's a worthy upgrade to Vista.

[kevin5151]

Your words are good to hear. I just recieved a new laptop with Vista installed as a gift. This is my first "hands on" with this O.S. I thought the computer was a ripoff, but now I know what the problem is. VISTA. Thanks for the input.

[yipcanjo]

Honestly... I just don't see why there is so much lamenting over Vista. I use it. I enjoy it. I wouldn't go back to XP -- either at home or at work.

[Simul4ti0n]

I agree wit yipcanjo on this one. Being a CIS major and recently going through an OS Concepts class Vista is definitely a step in the right direction. People just don't quite know what to think of it yet, but I absolutely love it. The 32bit version is not as responsive as the 64bit.

Another thing, it seems that when MS goes something like Apple, they get tarred and feathered, but when Apple cuts support for old hardware and makes a fancy new OS that is "slower but prettier" they revolutionized the industry.

[pdskep]

I love Vista as well. I remember similar grumblings about XP when it came out. Always a bunch of haters when MS does something new.

[pdskep]

Sorry for the double post. i only hit the submit button once.

[pdskep]

I love Vista as well. I remember similar grumblings about XP when it came out. Always a bunch of haters when MS does something new.

[yipcanjo]

By the way.... why is Vista performing more slowly a surprise at all? I can certainly run Windows 98 *much* faster than Vista on my current box. I can run Win95, NT4 or Win2k *much* faster than Vista on my current box. Problem is, none of those OSes are doing the work that Vista is doing -- either with security, UI enhancements, media enrichment, built-in searching and so forth. I would also venture a guess that OSX is slower than OS9 on comparable hardware running similar tasks, though I don't see many Mac users actually caring about that stuff.

[lbj51]

Here's a suggestion - dump both and get a Mac for a far more stable and user-intuitive OS. And, if you just have to use Bill's crap - you can do that too.

[yipcanjo]

I don't agree with either comment, personally. Thanks for your very helpful advice, though.

[Harvey-7]

I'm sick of you Mac users who think your OS is far superior over anything that Microsoft puts out there. Maybe you want to do your homework a little before you throw in a typical stupid useless Mac user comment like this one. The reason why Mac OS might seem like a better more secure and stable operating system is because Apple has complete control over the hardware that goes into each of their computers whereas Microsoft doesn't. It's easy to design and optimize an OS when you know that there won't be any compatibility issues with the components that you typically install in all your systems. Have you ever tried upgrading a Mac like you do a PC. Personally I'd rather go to the Dentist for a root canal. People don't realize that Microsoft has a much more difficult job because it has to design an OS that accommodates a huge array of different hardware and software combinations that goes into each PC. So who has the superior OS? Well, it depends which way you look at it. Both OS serve different purposes. Is this to say that Vista is the best Windows version to date? Hell no! I personally use XP. But would I buy a Mac for their OS? Double Hell No!! What I think most people like is a fast, secure and stable OS without, as Don Reisinger put it, "all that crap" that Vista and I'm sorry to say all Mac operating systems have.

[Simul4ti0n]

The comment above is typical of mac users, so close minded.

[joanindo]

no, it's typical of a mac fanboy. a total idiot!

[lbj51]

I'm not closed-minded. I use XP professional on my business laptop, Vista on one of my home desktops, and OSX on my Mac. I prefer the Mac OS, but that's just me.

[Simul4ti0n]

Well then I admit I was wrong. Also I didn't mean to come off as a mac hater, I like them too.

[SheriffBooth]

Don "M$ Naysayer" Reisinger

Vista's got its kinks but it's definitely progressive, and once you learn the features you like and don't like you can get it configured to run very smoothly. And I'm sure the reason M$ is still supporting and upgrading XP is because of the gigantic amount of business machines that are running 1gig or RAM or less on XP - it's a better business move for M$ to ease these folks into the future by supporting the past than by forcing them to choose between Vista or nothing.

But the bottom line is if you're upgrading your PC to something with 2gigs RAM, I say get Vista because it's a new wave of functionality and configurability. But if you hate change because it's different, by all means stick it out with XP.

[aztec92154]

Bottom line: I love Mac OS X and Windows XP! At work I use Windows XP for my embedded programming work, and at home I have a Mac with both the Windows OS and the Unix based Mac OS. Vista WAS a pain because our software team had to figure out how to port our software to it. I still wouldn't dare develop any serious product on the platform because, I have absolutely no reason to (that is unless our customer base migrate to it). Apple has said "Time Machine", "Spotlight Search", ect would make developers and end-users move to newer versions of Mac OS. Whats Windows Vistas' Killer APP for embedded developers?

[HTPCdrmr]

I've been using Vista for over a year (since RC1) on my HTPC and it works like a gem. MS really nailed the Media Center experience (even though there is still room for added functionality). I'm only running a 2.0 GHz processor, 2 GB of Ram, and 256 Mb video card and I can simultaneously record 2 HD and 1 analog programs. Fast enough for me!

I've used Mac's too and they're nice as well, but I like to tinker by nature and MS products allow me to so more easily (Actually Linux would be the best, but I haven't jumped in just yet). The world is not black and white people - if you like MS, you can also like Apple. They do different things for different people.

[computer.dude.28]

What kind of tuners have you got in that?

[upton_downes]

Don: You make a very good point in this post. I have always respected you as a extremely knowledgeable and fair-minded technology writer, and in this post, you excellently demonstrate your superiority in both capacities. I enjoy reading your very intriguing blog for the same reason. I hope you continue to do the good work that you do.

I have three computers. My primary desktop at work. My laptop. And my primary desktop at home. I had requested my IT group to install Vista on my work desktop. After using it for five months, I requested them to upgrade that machine to Windows XP. I am very glad that I did so. I will install Windows XP SP3 on this computer as soon as it's available, based on your recommendation.

My Lenovo laptop runs Ubuntu, and my home desktop is a Mac Pro running Leopard. I am very satisfied with both Ubuntu and Leopard. I expect to continue to use both of these OS's (and their upgrades) for a long time.

It was only Vista that was not usable for me. After my upgrade to XP, it too has become fully usable once again. I want to thank Microsoft for making the XP upgrade available, and especially for the upcoming SP3.

Keep up the good work, Don. You have one of the best blogs on the CNET site (if not the Internet.) You are ready for the big-time. Have you considered writing for a bigger site?

[mwright75]

rediculous... windows vista is far and away the best operating system microsoft has ever come out with... if you don't like software manufacturers who like to use this as an opportunity to create yet another upgrade cyclle fine, but dont say vista users should upgrade to xp... i couldn't be paid to go back!

[sonounfrocione]

this news is pure FUD
this news is pure FUD
this news is pure FUD
this news is pure FUD
this news is pure FUD

[iluvtoeatglue]

I'm sick of people dissing Vista, when it is far superior to its predecessor. Personally, I've had no compatibility or performance issues at all. It's XP, but with countless features added on to it.
I also love how people claim XP to be such a great OS, when for years when it was the only Windows OS, it was criticized just as much as Vista is now. People just need to complain about something in order to feel good about themselves.

[computer.dude.28]

I've been using it since RC1, after Dell forced me to due to their crappy version of Windows XP. I love it, I've had No problems, everything runs great. Especially software AND drivers that were built for XP.

[yuchuanzhen]

i use xp

[lansharked]

It's great that so many early adopters have come out to offer their support for Vista in these comments, but the fact is this new 'feature-laden' OS is just not ready for prime time when it comes to speed, reliability, hardware compatibility, etc., and falls far short when benchmarked side-by-side (on identical hardware and modern apps and games) with the much more robust Windows XP.

SP3 will effectively eliminate any reasons buyers might have dissuaded themselves with (security?) not to continue to demand XP in their new computer purchases (I've been deploying lots of new Dell Vostros with factory installs of XP Pro at some great price points, btw).

Here's a blog article request I'll throw in: How about a manufacturer-by-manufacturer breakdown of how to complete a new machine Windows Vista downgrade to XP and rate who's got the simplest process? I'd use THAT as a buying guide!

[lansharked]

It's great that so many early adopters have come out to offer their support for Vista in these comments, but the fact is this new 'feature-laden' OS is just not ready for prime time when it comes to speed, reliability, hardware compatibility, etc., and falls far short when benchmarked side-by-side (on identical hardware and modern apps and games) with the much more robust Windows XP.

SP3 will effectively eliminate any reasons buyers might have dissuaded themselves with (security?) not to continue to demand XP in their new computer purchases (I've been deploying lots of new Dell Vostros with factory installs of XP Pro at some great price points, btw).

Here's a blog article request I'll throw in: How about a manufacturer-by-manufacturer breakdown of how to complete a new machine Windows Vista downgrade to XP and rate who's got the simplest process? I'd use THAT as a buying guide!

[computer.dude.28]

After using Vista, Windows XP feels stripped down and old to me. It feels like it runs fast because there's nothing there. Vista has a much better feel to it.

[mhinnewyork]

I agree about choosing XP over Vista and blogged about it a while back:
http://blogs.cnet.com/8301-13554_1-9770230-33.html
http://blogs.cnet.com/8301-13554_1-9784657-33.html
Michael Horowitz

[acesomeone]

Let me get this thing straight for a second. According to Don, users ought to buy a computer, pay for Vista and afterwards buy an additional license for Windows XP (which is severely outdated)? Don't see why this would be an upgrade. If you hate Microsoft so much for emptying your pockets, then why would you buy ANOTHER license from them, I wonder.

It's very simple to me: it's a free world. If you don't like something, express your disliking in a -constructive- way and step away from the product. For it's merely that, a product. If it doesn't live up to your expectations, then there are many other software products out there to go to.

But they won't live up to all of your expectations.. either. It's a compromise one has to make. Don't bash something just for sake of bashing.

Merry Christmas!

[b8375629]

You can still buy new computers with XP on them. Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc... all offer it as an option on certain machines and will continue to do so until the middle of 2008.

So NO, you don't have to buy a machine with Vista on it, and then spend additional money buying XP, although a lot of people have done so.