Windows Vista Home Basic or Premium

[alarimer]

Does it really matter? I can always upgrade later if I want. I can get a really cheap laptop with the basic version. The Premium version is usally a little more. Of course I prefer XP and I still might do that instead. I cannot use a Mac right now because I have some programs that I am using for my thesis that require Windows. Otherwise I would seriously consider it. I will switch someday but now is not the right time. I don't need anything fancy in a laptop- mostly for word/excel stuff as well as email and web surfing.

[Poiuyt]

1. I heard about a guy who upgraded from Vista to XP

PS - You do know that the new Macs will run Windows, don't you?

[alarimer]

4. Yes and honestly I don't see the point of having a Mac that runs Windows

It's a more expensive machine to begin with and the whole reason for buying a Mac, if I did, would be to have the Mac OS.

[Deja Q]

9. .

:rofl:

[Omphaloskepsis]

13. I run Windows 2000 Pro and Ubuntu Linux on my Mac at the same time with VMware..

It comes in handy for testing webpages and running the occasional weird app that only works on Windows.

[Omphaloskepsis]

2. I would go with the basic version or XP..

Sounds like stability is a big thing. (thesis) It might be best to stick with what you know works (XP). If you want Vista I would say it depends on the price difference. 20$ difference go with Premium, 100$ difference go with home.

And to the dude up-thread.. Stop with the get a Mac shit.. It isn't helpful. I am typing this on a iMac. It makes Mac users look like dicks.

[DainBramaged]

3. Listen I got it on a laptop I bought my Daughter (Premium)

Piece of shit pain in the ass over burdened crap and NO PC GAMES HAVE BEEN WRITTEN to take advantage of DX10 nor will be for about 2 years.

Upgrade to XP Pro and don't worry, be happy.

[alarimer]

5. Well actually this is about buying a new laptop

I can find some that come with XP (but not many and not at any local retailer- I would have to order online- no big deal though since I am not really in a hurry) or I can buy a really cheap one (399.99 or so) with Windows Vista Basic. My question was really if the cost upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium is necessary for what I want to do, which is pretty basic stuff.

I like XP home just fine and I have no problems with it on my desktop for anything that I have wanted to do.

[DainBramaged]

6. You can still order XP Pro from Dell Small Business division

desktops and laptops

[alarimer]

7. I saw that

I probably will end up with a Dell. I am not really concerned about the make or model. I know some get better ratings and that Dell has some issues but I can't see walking into any retailer and requesting that they install XP instead of the Vista it comes with. I could probably just buy a copy of XP and load it myself, come to think of it.

[LeftyMom]

8. Get the good deal, then load XP on it.

That's what I'd do, anyhow. You can always reinstall Vista later if you want, but for your thesis it's probably better to err on the side of the tried and true.

[alarimer]

11. Probably

the guy that helped write the program I use for analyzing the data did tell me it would work on Vista. And he would know I gues if anyone would.

[Deja Q]

10. I'd prefer Home Premium...

I too prefer XP (in some ways), but as I bought Vista retail, I've stuck with it and when DX10 games come out (e.g. the free DX10 upgrade to Flight Simulator X), it'll have been worth it.

Ultimate is not worth the cost. Especially as Microsoft hasn't really come through with their Ultimate Extras package...

[lutefisk]

12. I just bought a desktop with Vista Home Basic

If you go with Vista, budget in more ram. I put in 2 gb, and that seems to be enough to make it run like XP with 512 mb of ram.

I'd say stick with XP if you can. As others have said, stay with what you know works for you. I only have Vista because it came loaded on a new Compaq desktop that I bought for $199. I couldn't pass that up for an extra computer and to try out Vista.

Being on a Windows or Linux system gives one so many more options than being limited by the restrictive and expensive Apple policies. I'd love to have an Apple computer, but I can't bring myself to pay the premium. I am enjoying the Safari browser for Windows, though. Give it a shot if you haven't tried it.