Win XP x64 vs 64 bit Vista

[Andy Welch]

Hi Tech Heads,

I've recently got a Dell Precision M6400 mobile workstation i.e. a laptop that is so heavy it would break the average lap.

Anyway, it came with XP x64 installed but also two "reinstallation" discs; one for XP professional x64 and one for Vista Business 64bit. So, I guess I could use these to install either. So, which one would you go for?

So far I've managed to do everything I want with XP x64. Getting Itunes to run and synch with my iphone was a guddle, but we got there. So I have no need to change, just wonder if I'm missing out on some Vista loveliness.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[yenrod]

Whats the RAM + MEMORY + PROCESSOR SPEED of said machine

 

[bonj2]

vista is shite.

 

[Carwash]

Uncanny! http://xkcd.com/528/

 

[Andy Welch]

Whats the RAM + MEMORY + PROCESSOR SPEED of said machine

Intel Core 2 extreme (2x3.06GHz processors) with 8GB RAM and 2x320GB disks configured as Raid1. Seems to do the job.

Sounds as though I can bin that Vista disk then.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[johnnyh]

stick with XP, I run Vista64 on a desktop (purely as a work tool for solving problems with Vista installs), and everything else runs on XP cause it is less resource hungry and a darn sight slicker.

Windows 2000 - Fast, Dirty and Solid
Windows XP Pro - Quick and reasonably stable
Vista - Looks nice, slow and crappy

 

[yenrod]

After being an XP 'ead - i'm warming to Vista.

Its good at analysing itself...

Improvements on sections of XP where it falls down miserably.

The sidebar thingy is TOTALLY crap though ! - turn it off

XP - isn't that hence the no. of updates and the likes that were released for it.

If you've a comp. the likes of Andy's there - then Vista will have no probs. whatsoever for speed and the likes.

 

[johnnyh]

the updates released for any operating system are to fix such things as security vulnerabilities and exploits, these dont necessarily exist at the time of release but become necessary as time moves on and people (hackers) find ways in.

Don't forget there have already been countless updates for Vista and a full service pack 1. Vista needs the same security patches for IE and such that XP or 2k need.

 

[dodgy]

Vista runs fine for me, people don't like to hear that for some reason, but it's true.

 

[Carwash]

the updates released for any operating system are to fix such things as security vulnerabilities and exploits, these dont necessarily exist at the time of release but become necessary as time moves on and people (hackers) find ways in.

To be nitpicky: the vulnerabilities do exist at the time of release - they just haven't been found.

 

[fossyant]

Intel Core 2 extreme (2x3.06GHz processors) with 8GB RAM and 2x320GB disks configured as Raid1. Seems to do the job.

In a laptop...blooming heck !!!! (well big thing then)

 

[Andy Welch]

In a laptop...blooming heck !!!! (well big thing then)

OK I lied, they are only 230GB disks but, yes, it is pretty awesome for a laptop. Except that it isn't really a laptop at all as it weight nearly 4Kg (and costs a bomb). A bit of a niche and I'm not sure I'd spend my own money on it, but if you wan't something that doesn't take up much space in your home office but has still got enough grunt for 3D image processing then it fits the bill.

I guess what worries me about sticking with XP is that the 64 bit version is a bit of a cul-se-sac. I doubt Microsoft give it much thought and getting drivers for 3rd part stuff will be fun. But it sounds as though "upgrading" to Vista will just bring more problems. So I'll stick with XP.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[peanut]

partition the drive and install both. That way you can select which OS to boot from at posting

 

[Funtboy]

Intel Core 2 extreme (2x3.06GHz processors) with 8GB RAM and 2x320GB disks configured as Raid1. Seems to do the job.

Sounds as though I can bin that Vista disk then.

Cheers,

Andy

Wow, that is a beast.

As regards Vista, could a Vista-hater tell me why they hate it? Resource hogging isn't a valid reason. I have budget core 2 duo lappy with 2GB of RAM and it runs as smooth as you like.

 

[bonj2]

Intel Core 2 extreme (2x3.06GHz processors) with 8GB RAM and 2x320GB disks configured as Raid1. Seems to do the job.

Sounds as though I can bin that Vista disk then.

Cheers,

Andy

are you sure it can address all that ram. Iv'e heard somewhere it can only address 3GB so any more is pointless.