Computer Advice

[Scrums]

Hi all,

Time for a new computer methinks!

I have 3 at the moment....I actually only use 2 - one as a 'media centre' and one networked in the orifice.....the 3rd (the newest one !) is still waiting it's trip to the doctor.

The one in use as said media centre is playing up no end, is about 5 years old and was a bunch of c.... anyway!

So, my query is this - the dreaded Vista - how well does that network with XP and does it run programmes that were brought out before Vista was a little twinkle in Bill Gates eyes?

Any other pitfalls await someone buying right down the bottom end at (gulp...) PCWorld, apart from their dreadful staff, that is.....

Chris.

 

[fuzmingle]

Check that any peripherals you use will work with vista. My PDA and Scanner dont work with Vista 64 and one of the laser printers (Canon)I had my eye on is not suitable. There are lots of bits of software that wont work easily. Nero and Intellisync are 2 that I have tried in the last week with no luck.

My advice is if you dont actually need Vista stick with XP. Media Player 11 is downloadable for XP and thats what you get with Vista.

I think it is significant thet Microsoft are not planning further Service Packs for Vista and I suspect it will go the way of Windows 2000 and Millenium Edition. You will notice that XP hasn't got significantly cheaper since Vista came out and if you play games XP is trhe one to stick with at the moment

 

[Raggy]

I have 1 Vista & 2 Xp machines networked and they work together fine, most programs I have tried on vista work. Don't get that much time on it now so not fully aware of many problems

 

[TonyW]

My advice is if you dont actually need Vista stick with XP. Media Player 11 is downloadable for XP and thats what you get with Vista.

From limited exposure to vista I agree stick with XP.

I think it is significant thet Microsoft are not planning further Service Packs for Vista and I suspect it will go the way of Windows 2000 and Millenium Edition. You will notice that XP hasn't got significantly cheaper since Vista came out and if you play games XP is trhe one to stick with at the moment

Quote Wikipedia -Microsoft stated in 2007 that it is planning Windows 7 development for a three-year time frame starting after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista, but that the final release date will be determined by product quality.
While officially Microsoft has stated that Windows 7 will be released three years after Vista was shipped, the company has indicated that it plans to release Windows 7 in mid-2009, in time for installation on PCs that will ship for the Christmas 2009 buying season.
Personally I will not be an early adopter will wait for them to issue at least service pack 1

Any other pitfalls await someone buying right down the bottom end at (gulp...) PCWorld, apart from their dreadful staff, that is...

You do not state what budget you have in mind but whatever it is I suspect you will find better value from an independent supplier - I am sure that you will find many in and around your area. Alternatively consider buying over the net. If you decide on XP rather than Vista you may have a problem getting this installed from the likes of PC world

Cheers
Tony

 

[misterfish]

Around our house we have a really old notebook running Windows ME, two desktops running XP Pro, another running Vista 64 bit and two notebooks running Vista 32 bit. All seem to network without any problems. We also have a Buffalo NAS that (apparently) runs a version of Linux that provides shared disk storage and printing capability.

But, as mentioned above, Vista 64 bit can be a problem with some peripherals as there are no drivers available and you may need to upgrade (= replace) some of these.

We've had no real problems with stability of any of the systems.

Personally I prefer and still use XP but am quite happy to use any of the Vista machines. On the other hand the Windows ME machine (that belongs to my inlaws that live in the annex) is not a pleasant user experience!

Misterfish

 

[Vormulac]

I think I had Windows ME installed for a total sum of around 6 hours, a dreadful, dreadful OS. Windows 2000 was a blessed relief in comparison (I use XP Pro now though and have no intention of going to Vista, although the missus just bought a new laptop Vista on it and I don't much like it).

 

[RogerS]

Have you thought of going Mac? The new Macs can also run Windows (if you're really desperate)

http://www.apple.com/getamac/

And they're not as expensive as people would have you believe.....

 

[davin]

I am about to buy a new pc. Looked at at an HP in the dreaded nonPCworld.
Seemed like a good deal to me.
Was going to buy another Dell, but they seemed very expensive.
Should I be buying online, any good site suggestions.
Should I wait until after christmas.
Sorry if I have butted into your post....

 

[13eightyfour]

Like others have said some peripherals may not work but most of the recent stuff should.

Im currently running the windows 7 beta on a 7 year old athlon comp with only 512 ram and it runs beautifully! incredibly speedy, Im using it as a media pc.

I would say if you can make do until 7 is released you wont regret it

Davin - Dell do have some great deals in the small business section of the site me and my mates have been buying them for years for personal use, Sometimes you can even find bargains through hotukdeals.

 

[misterfish]

I think I had Windows ME installed for a total sum of around 6 hours, a dreadful, dreadful OS...

Yes - I could never understand that it is supposed to be an improvement over Windows 98.

I'd love to get rid of it on my Father-in-law's notebook but a) he doesn't want to change and b) the hardware is only just adequate enough for ME!

Davin - as for where to buy a new PC: I have never been impressed with PC World; most of the sales advisors I've come across have been a waste of time. My current PC I bought from a small local firm (a few years ago) at no greater cost than elsewhere. They listened to what I wanted (I am an IT professional) and offered me a good deal. It was built to spec and tested and then delivered and installed by the tech that actually put it all together. I then had two follow up phone calls to ensure I was happy with my purchase and had no problems. This computer is still running fine. I would certainly go down this route again for a desktop. However, when buying my wife's notebook I went for Dell - I know what they are offering and they have continuing aftersales support.
With a notebook I want to know that it can still be repaired after few years of use.

Misterfish

 

[brianhabby]

Have you thought of going Mac? The new Macs can also run Windows (if you're really desperate)

http://www.apple.com/getamac/

And they're not as expensive as people would have you believe.....

I've just bought a Notebook for my wife and for an equivalent spec on the Mac, I would have had to spend about double the money.

As for Vista vs XP, at work I have several (7) XP machines and recently bought two new ones with Vista on. I was given the choice between XP and Vista and chose Vista, thinking - I'll have to get used to it sometime - why not now?

Both Vista machines work fine as far as software is concerned, we are running mainly Photoshop and Elements in anger. As for network access, they have been a bit temperamental to say the least.

I have also recently bought a notebook for myself with Vista on it and also have occasional problems with network access at work with that. The main network issue with the Vista machines is actual Intenet access. Sometimes you have it and sometimes you don't. There is also a Visa Machine in another office and they are having similar problems.

We have had the tech guys look at the problem but they have been unable to resolve it. I checked online and this does appear to be an issue with Vista.

When I bring the Vista notebook home, I have never experienced any problems either eccessing the network or the Internet. The same with my wife's new notebook which is also Vista.

So, if I was buying a new computer today, would I go for XP or Vista, assuming of coure that I had a choice (as noted above)?

I think I would go for Vista. It is the latest offering and does have some nice features (as well as some infuriating ones).

Also, as mentioned above, watch out for issues with any peripherals that you have such as printers & scanners, they may not work with Vista

Remember when XP came out and we were all using either 98 or 2K. There were some of the same issues such as driver problems with peripherals. I think eventually, any current issues with Vista will be ironed out when we get used to it. That's when Microsoft will screw things up again with their new offering and we will be having these same discussions about that.

My two pennerth for what it's worth.

regards

Brian