...Should I get one sooner with Vista or wait until Windows 7 is released?...
Anytime you buy a computer, wait as long as you can. PCs depreciate faster than a car, and you can save hundreds by waiting six months. My advice, wait 'til late January or early February... retailers will be looking to move existing stock and manufacturers will have released info about new spring models, further driving down price. Unless you are looking for a high-end gaming, video-editing, or 3D/Photoshop rig, buy your computer in "the sweet spot" pricewise.
I'd recommend a non-netbook laptop over a desktop. Get the best screen and keyboard you can afford (try them out in retail stores if you can). DVDRW is a fairly cheap option and almost essential for backups. Unless you want a very basic system, go for an ATI or nVidia graphics system (it doesn't have to be cutting edge, but Intel graphics are very slow compared to even basic ATI/nVidia options). WiFi is a must for most people, and a built-in memory card reader is darn handy (as long as it is the same format as your current or planned digicam. Personally, I won't buy anything without a FireWire port built-in, but I have specific tastes.
Initial reports from alpha/beta testers prefer Win7 over Vista, but expect Win7 to have plenty of hiccups & updates until SP1 and beyond. If you have any essential software that you must use, start checking now to find out when they will be offering Win7 support.
If you manage to narrow down your list to a few manufacturers, start checking their sites now for an option to reinstall Win7 as a "Clean Install" - a fresh installation with essential drivers, but none of the pre-installed junk/free programs that manufacturers' get paid to ship on their system.
Most new PC and laptops you buy now will include a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released so no reason to wait.
Most new PC and laptops you buy now will include a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released so no reason to wait.
IMHO, I still think it'd be better to wait and get more machine for the same or less money... he did say he could wait 6 months.
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Well if I was going to recommend something, why don't we talk about Linux?
Ubuntu!!
Free, stable and just as good! :)
Well if I was going to recommend something, why don't we talk about Linux?
Ubuntu!!
Free, stable and just as good! :)
I like Ubuntu too, but odds are the OP doesn't have the time to learn it and/or has programs that only run under Windows.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I have XP on my Desktop and Vista/64 on my laptop. Despite the commercials and ads and the like, I've had no issues on my laptop, the 'baby beast' runs fine.
That said... I'd say hold off until Windows 7 ships. The laptop came with Vista factory installed, and while the buzz I've read says that 7 will be almost like a 'mega patched vista' I know over-installing can be a pain.
(Bear is that I need to upgrade the beast from XP eventually)
Anyone know off the top of their head if Open Office works with Vista?
Anyone know off the top of their head if Open Office works with Vista?
Yes it works fine.
Anyone know off the top of their head if Open Office works with Vista?
Seems to so far on my Vista machine along with Writer (don't use the rest of OO).
Galdor, I don't know what, exactly, you plan to use your computer for. Different people will feel differently about various versions of Windows depending on what they're trying to do with it.
But... I write Windows programs for a living, and I have to tell you that, while I never understood why some people hate Windows XP, Vista makes me want to PUNCH BILL GATES!!!
We had to struggle for MONTHS, bending over backwards all the while, trying to make our software work for Vista! And all the while, Vista keeps chugging away, spending MINUTES doing GOD KNOWS WHAT in situations where XP would respond immediately. WHY?!? What the heck is Vista doing that requires so much time?!? Is it checking whether we have the security clearance to look at the directories in our regular hard disk?!? Is it checking to see if new viruses appeared in the ten minutes since last it checked?
And to add insult to injury, Vista has to throw in all these fancier graphics, giving us the impression that Vista's too busy animating the icons to do real work. Worst of all is that stupid spinning disk, where a plain hourglass should serve. What the heck is that spinning disk supposed to represent? I actually start to feel nauseous staring at that bleeping spinning disk, while I wait for bleeping Vista to do what XP would do instantly. I actually have to block my view of the monitor screen with my hands and look askance at the screen to try to reduce the sickness in my stomach. Really.
And oftentimes, the solutions we would have to come up with for making programs work - to an extent - in Vista are ridiculously clumsy and unwieldy... but we couldn't come up with anything better.
And yes, I saw this thread as an excuse to vent. Thanks, I needed that. Windows 7 is supposed to be more compatible with previous versions of Windows. Here's hoping.
Thanks for the replies. I use Open Office exclusively at home. At work…well…
Thanks for the replies. I use Open Office exclusively at home. At work…well…
The built-in PDF export is nice too.
The built-in PDF export is nice too.
That was the feature that finally convinced me to try it. I have not looked back.
And for those that feel the need to vent about Vista (or any other topic for that matter), please feel free to do so. My thread is your thread.
Thanks!
I will be purchasing a new computer (laptop, to be precise) in the next year or so. Should I get one sooner with Vista or wait until Windows 7 is released? I don't mind waiting until about 6 months after the launch of Windows 7 so Microsoft can iron out the major bugs.
I guess my question should really be something like: What will Windows 7 do that Vista can't? I currently use XP so I don't know much about Vista other than what I've learned from the "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" commercials.
Thanks for your input.
Well, if updates actually work with Windows 7 it will be a huge improvement. I should keep track of percentages- (and I assume many others have the same problem) when I do a Windows Update I am confident it will crash my machine. I can't tell you how often I have to pull the plug, go into safe mode, and restore to before the update. It's nonsensical.
And for those that feel the need to vent about Vista (or any other topic for that matter), please feel free to do so. My thread is your thread.Thanks!
This is why we can have anything nice.
I have a buddy who works for Microsoft and he's pretty realistic about Vista's many issues. He says 7 is th best operating system he's ever seen. Combines Vista's features and speed with XP's ease of use.
Bah! He must have been hired post-Windows 2000.
Snot-nosed youngsters! Get offa my lawn!
This is why we can have anything nice.
Really? I thought 4e was the reason we don't have nice things. :P
This is why we can have anything nice.Really? I thought 4e was the reason we don't have nice things. :P
No, 4e is why healthcare is broken and religious discussions can't be civil.
No, 4e is why healthcare is broken and religious discussions can't be civil.
Oooooooooh!
You can see how I would get confused though, right?
No, 4e is why healthcare is broken and religious discussions can't be civil.Oooooooooh!
You can see how I would get confused though, right?
Yes. You get confused because Sebastian keeps mucking about in the timestream.
...Sebastian...timestream.
Aha! So Gomorrah was destroyed because they were playing 4e.
...Sebastian...timestream.Aha! So Gomorrah was destroyed because they were playing 4e.
Exactly! {goes back to working on thesis based upon Glenn Beck as the center of Time Cube}
This is why we can have anything nice.Really? I thought 4e was the reason we don't have nice things. :P
It was Hero System that did that.
It was Hero System that did that.This is why we can have anything nice.Really? I thought 4e was the reason we don't have nice things. :P
Nice Things: Money (1 Active Point) 1 Charge (Never Recovers, -2), Obvious Accessible Focus (-1) (1 Real Point)
Not according to my calculations.