ChatterBank0 min ago
new laptop
I am planning to buy a laptop,I already have a desktop pc which has windows XP. I get on OK with it, not being any kind of expert. Everything now seems to come with Vista which I have heard a lot about, not much of it positive. Is it really as bad as everyone seems to think, or would a non-techie person such as myself who surfs the net, sends and gets e-mails, uses word processor, downloads stuff, edits photos and burns cd/dvd's. More than this I don't get involved with. I understand it is still possible to get XP but is it worth all the hassle of finding it. I found a nice little mini one with Linux which everyone seems to rave about, but my broadband provider (Sky) does not support Linux.
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I have used Vista for over a year,before that I used XP and before that 98se.I prefer Vista to any of the others,it is not as bad now as when it first came out,most of the early problems were due to incompatibility between the older software/hardware and the new OS.Most of the issues have been sorted out now.
There is a lot of difference between XP and Vista !!!
Anyone with a high end spec. PC used for gaming/graphics/media etc. I would recommend staying with XP as Vista is very processor/power hungry
But for your purposes you probably wont notice the difference and as all the new ones come with Vista you may as well stick with that
Anyone with a high end spec. PC used for gaming/graphics/media etc. I would recommend staying with XP as Vista is very processor/power hungry
But for your purposes you probably wont notice the difference and as all the new ones come with Vista you may as well stick with that
Don't forget that the OEM copy of Vista that your new laptop will come with is legally downgradeable to XP. However, beware that unless the Laptop comes with an XP downgrade CD (which many do) that some of the components for the laptop will have been designed purely for Vista and there may be no XP drivers.
Thanks everyone, if I describe myself as someone who knows how to 'drive' a computer, but has no idea of what goes on under the bonnet, in fact don't even know how to get under the bonnet, then I can see how perhaps I won't notice the difference. Actually, one of the VERY important things I want to do with this laptop and didn't mention aleady, is to take it abroad with me on my travels (usually around the usa), and to be able to access the internet in hotels, stations, airports etc. so that I can keep in touch with my grand-kids - which obviously will mean having msn seeing as that appears to be the way that teenagers communicate with each other these days. Again, I presume that Vista/XP will make no difference to this function.
I'm wondering why you are bothering - if you get on ok with what you've got and only intend to use it as you say .... what you've got would seem to fit the bill.
I think the point just about everyone misses is that an operating system shouldn't be noticeable.
it's the applications you use that are important .... not the base.
95-98 was an almost invisible move (except we got the Internet).
XP to Vista isn't any different than 98 was to XP (remember how people moaned at XP?) - it's just that the people who regard themselves as technocrats have lost the plot and become set in their ways ... (XP has been around for a while now .... it's like a comfy old pair of jeans)
I think the point just about everyone misses is that an operating system shouldn't be noticeable.
it's the applications you use that are important .... not the base.
95-98 was an almost invisible move (except we got the Internet).
XP to Vista isn't any different than 98 was to XP (remember how people moaned at XP?) - it's just that the people who regard themselves as technocrats have lost the plot and become set in their ways ... (XP has been around for a while now .... it's like a comfy old pair of jeans)
Ethel .... I'm a yorkshireman - the concept of "it is still working" and "let's look at newer versions" doesn't sit well round here ;-(
Agree - router + Linux shouldn't be a problem (most routers are using linux to do their thing anyway).
I think what they actually mean is that their own special disk which converts your machine into their version of heaven - with their branded version of IE, homepage and search engine etc won't run.
my neighbour's disk also set up their router, wireless adapters and workgroup before turning into soft toilet tissue
In my book that's a plus not a minus.
Agree - router + Linux shouldn't be a problem (most routers are using linux to do their thing anyway).
I think what they actually mean is that their own special disk which converts your machine into their version of heaven - with their branded version of IE, homepage and search engine etc won't run.
my neighbour's disk also set up their router, wireless adapters and workgroup before turning into soft toilet tissue
In my book that's a plus not a minus.
Thanks again -keep these answers coming. About the Linux, I know someone who bought one, with sky as their internet server. When it wouldn't work she contacted sky and they said it wouldn't as they don't support linux!! Anyway, I am going to do as suggested and get a Vista for dummies, when I first bought a computer I got Windows for dummies and found it very useful.
janela - I am certain Linux will work with your router. I'm sure it will work with any router.
Linux may be for you, but it is a whole new ballgame. It is much less complicated than any Windows system, in my opinion, but it is different.
I badly want one of those little Asus Eees that run on Linux - the logic being that if I just use it for browsing the net and emailing when I am away from home, it will be the job rather very well. And should it get lost/stolen I haven't lost the life I have in this laptop.
:)
Linux may be for you, but it is a whole new ballgame. It is much less complicated than any Windows system, in my opinion, but it is different.
I badly want one of those little Asus Eees that run on Linux - the logic being that if I just use it for browsing the net and emailing when I am away from home, it will be the job rather very well. And should it get lost/stolen I haven't lost the life I have in this laptop.
:)
still with ethel here
networking isn't windows/linux - its ieee 802 which defines how it ALL works.
the kit is different ... you might need different drivers, the application formats might be different .... but as long as you have the standard network protocols the machines will talk.
HTML is another as is jpg .... so we can all read the same info and see the same pikkies
the internet was developed in unix, routers tend to use one or other versions of linux.
sky maybe don't support it .... you will have to set up your kit manually .... but it will work
as will ethel's eee ---(you know you are going to crack)
networking isn't windows/linux - its ieee 802 which defines how it ALL works.
the kit is different ... you might need different drivers, the application formats might be different .... but as long as you have the standard network protocols the machines will talk.
HTML is another as is jpg .... so we can all read the same info and see the same pikkies
the internet was developed in unix, routers tend to use one or other versions of linux.
sky maybe don't support it .... you will have to set up your kit manually .... but it will work
as will ethel's eee ---(you know you are going to crack)
by saying that they don't support it ISPs mean that they can't help you in setting it up and small wonder considering just how many different flavours of linux there are (what i think is the BIG pitfall in linux but thats besides the point)
vista should be ok and no the geeks haven't lost the plot all of microsofts operating systems are trash when they first come out its partly because they are nuts over there anyhow but also there are so many configurations out there that getting everyone to work striaght off is a bit difficult, you may not know but many hardware producers do not respect the industry standards but microsoft happily make hacks and work arounds for these in time and they probably do it because it means that it makes it more difficult for other operating systems to work as they will have to do the same and of course they keep the hardware makers happy.
I found deffinite performance advantages between 2000 and XP a computer that with 2000 could not play a DVD can now just by installing XP I presume it was made better so more than likely vista has got most of its wrinkles out and will be ok just make sure you have 1-2 GB of RAM preferably 2
vista should be ok and no the geeks haven't lost the plot all of microsofts operating systems are trash when they first come out its partly because they are nuts over there anyhow but also there are so many configurations out there that getting everyone to work striaght off is a bit difficult, you may not know but many hardware producers do not respect the industry standards but microsoft happily make hacks and work arounds for these in time and they probably do it because it means that it makes it more difficult for other operating systems to work as they will have to do the same and of course they keep the hardware makers happy.
I found deffinite performance advantages between 2000 and XP a computer that with 2000 could not play a DVD can now just by installing XP I presume it was made better so more than likely vista has got most of its wrinkles out and will be ok just make sure you have 1-2 GB of RAM preferably 2
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