Vista - ready or not?

[sspielbusch]

We know there has been a lot of talk about whether to upgrade to Windows Vista or not. We also know a lot of our users already use Vista. Please share your opinions and experiences here, and vote in the poll above so everyone can see what otehrs are doing.

Also, if you bought a new computer and were able to get it with XP instead of Vista, let us know where and how that was done -- I'm sure other users would like to know.

[LakeCityWebs]

I buy XP machines all day long for my clients, they are actually Vista downgradeable. They come with XP Pro installed and a disk and license for Vista Business, this way you can upgrade when your ready and you have all that you need.
The big retailers like best buy and circuit city don't sell this option, but I do (I'm a Microsoft partner) - and I have heard rumors that Ill be able to do this for a while, they may be extending the retirement date for XP - We'll see .

[Ixthusdan]

I will not allow any of my clients to use Vista, period. Networking is enough fun without trying to fix Microsoft's mess. I am actually experimenting with virtual desktops. Vista might run better on a system like Linux/Unix as a base.

[Wolfes]

We have a few computers networked, one of which has Vista. (All others MS XP & XP Pro). The Vista is a pain as it constantly pops warning windows up. Just more clicks to get to the data.

CM works well with both systems.

[LakeCityWebs]

ok,
Heres the deal...
These are hard dates NO EXCEPTIONS OR CORRECTIONS

As of June 30th 2008 XP will not be available for purchase in OEM or Retail.

System Builder License Availability until January 31, 2009, which means you can get XP installed on NEW machines purchased from a Microsoft System Builder Partner until January 31, 2009

Anybody needing XP Pro machines between now and January 31, 2009 please email or PM me, I can still get them for you.

Note: These are XP downgradeable machines, which means they come with a licensed version of XP pre-installed and a Vista DVD and License. You can upgrade to Vista whenever you want but there is no XP Disk included - No XP OEM versions are shipping even with these new downgradeable machines - Only pre-installed on NEW machines!

[campingshadow]

I bought a new computer last year and was told XP would not be supported after the first of the year. So I bit the bullet and got Vista....no real choice...that was before the option was allowed to remove it and load XP. Since I use Microsoft Office extensively, I found that some of the features did not work well on Vista.

That meant I had to go out and buy MS Office 2007......which I thoroughly HATE. I despise all the changes they have made...from colors to ribbons and everything inbetween. I loved my XP system and my Office 2003 and I sure wish I could have a new computer and keep my old software.

Vista itself, as an interface is not that bad and I like some of the gadgets on the sidebar (which I took off the sidebar and moved elsewhere)....but I do not like how many things are incompatible with it. Unfortunately, MS will never stop making changes and always require us to keep upgrading. If you use computers, you just about have to expect and accept that.

[Ixthusdan]

Since Microsoft is not refunding anything to vendors, I have three sources for XP Pro, and am currently still building XP Pro machines. I think that the "party line" is not an accurate estimation in a free market. When the current stock runs out, XP is gone. But it is not out yet for builders, nor for any of my clients.

[Ixthusdan]

FWIW, Windows 7 is a functioning operating system. Since it is out in October, I am telling my clients to not buy anything if they can help it. Of course, the ones that order a machine built by me can get XP pro. It is still readily available to builders.

The down side to Windows 7 is that it does not share peripheral drivers with XP. Also, networking needs to be set up manually, and not with the new utility. Otherwise, XP machines will not be identified in a network by Windows 7.