Thoughts on Vista??

[Miller]

Ok, so I'm going to build a computer sometime later this semester and I'm trying to decide on using Vista or not. I've been a staunch supporter of XP. I have seen no reason for switching to Vista for HTPC purposes. The only real advantage of Vista that I've seen is if you want to play DirectX 10 games. Well, now that I'm building sometihng new I'm not so sure. I want an OS that is supported for a while. (I've been using my current computer with that same basic parts for about 7 years.) And there are a few things about Vista that I would like.

One, if cablecards do ever come into play I think it will be with Vista. Two, if I want to use over 3GB of RAM I have to use Vista with the 64bit support. Since my processor is a 64bit processor I'm thinking that while I may not want it now, it might be nice in a few years. Plus the price of 4GB of DDR2800 RAM is not that much and it seems weird to buy 4GB and not be able to use it.

So then I started looking at drivers and software support. It looks like GBPVR and my Hauppauge cards all will work or have drivers for 64 bit Vista. (That surprised me.) The only thing I couldn't find support for were my printers.

So while I still see no reason to get Vista now, knowing me and that I'll probably use this computer for another 5-8 years, I think I might get Vista so I don't have to make a change down the road sooner than I want to.

Anyone any thoughts? Anyone else using Vista? Successes? Failures? Anyone using the 64bit version?

[craigap]

I've read a lot about how Windows 7 has a tentative release date sometime in 2009 (Most likely 2010 due to delays).  They also talk about how Vista is thought of as a "Minor" release OS like Windows ME, where as Windows 7 is a "Major" release like XP was. Kind a hard to believe though with all the hype and advertising MS did with Vista. Although I've been using Vista Business for a year now (not for HTPC) and love it, if this is true I think I'll be waiting to put windows 7 in a new build. I've been trying to decide if I should pick up a copy of Vista SP1 when it comes out for my current HTPC, but I'm not so sure I'm going to do this now. I'm thinking I'll wait.
Oh and there is a 4gb limit that is extendable a bit. Read this.
http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2006/08/14/699521.aspx

[Miller]

I know what you're saying. The problem is that I can always wait a little longer and something better will be out. I may wait, but I doubt it. I did do some reading about the whole 4GB barrier, and while your article how a work-around, I did find this which has even more info about it and a couple of other things to try as well.

http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00015.htm

[craigap]

I aggree with a lot of what he says, but He doesn't provide any proof that the limit of usable (not addressable) memory would be at 3gb. Most things I read people have a limit of 3.2-3.5 gb leaving the remaining allocation to the upper limit for Graphics cards etc.  So despite his call for a max 3gb I think you'll still be able to use upwards of 3.5 depending on your hardware.
He makes a good point that ram is so cheap you may as well buy 4 gb.  You'll benefit from dual channel. 
I have to say, though, that my next OS will definitely be 64 bit regardless of how much ram I use.  I'm willing to bet the new version of windows will even come in a 32bit version.
 

I know what you're saying. The problem is that I can always wait a little longer and something better will be out.

I understand. My point was that if vista runs the way that ME did then 

[Miller]

True, I think he was just trying to generalize to someone's typlical system. I did find it interesting though that if you had an SLI rig going, that means your available RAM would be that much less.

I do hope Vista doesn't run like ME. I don't think it's a bad OS, I just think most people don't have aneed to upgrade since XP has been and still is working so well for them. That's been my rationale anytime someone has asked. Plus anytime a new OS comes out there will be gorwing pains with compatibility/drivers/etc. I think with SP1 coming out soon most of the rough parts have been smoothed over.

Another question, what do you think the benefits of going with Ultimate over Home Premium? Especially if I already plan on doing my own Windows Home Server on the network.

[craigap]

When you say windows home server are you talking obout the OS or do you mean which OS, Premium or Ultimate, would be sufficient/worthy of being the OS for a home server?  I was looking at the comparison sheet and the only thing Ultimate would offer me of any interest is the system backup stuff.  Otherwise I'd go with premium.  Nothing else in ultimate looks of any use-for me anyway.
 

I just think most people don't have a need to upgrade since XP has been and still is working so well for them.

Upgrade. No. New build. Yes.

But if I had a copy of XP to use I think I might stick with it and wait until Win 7 comes out.  I don't know.  I'm not in the market for a new build, so it's hard for me to know exactly what I'd do. 

[Miller]

I don't have a copy, so I will be buying. I also don't want to go through the upgrade process later. As for the server, I meant I am going to have another computer on my network running Windows Home Server - which makes me think as well that Ultimate is not needed.

[TSAT Kevin]

I did an install of Vista ultimate to see the advantages of Vista media center over MCE 2005, not to use vista permanently but just a trial if you will. After testing it out i reverted back to my MCE 2005 install (image backup), just cause i had some recordings coming up

The upgrade was great, i liked the improved interface and functionality of VMC. Overall i didn't really mind the OS, my previous experiences with Vists were at work running on computers that weren't really equiped for it. So my initial feelings on it weren't great, however after using it on my HTPC i was fairly impressed. Not to the fanboy level of course but enough that i wouldn't disregard using it in the near future.

All my hardware was supported, no driver issues... Other then using it for VMC i ran some games on it, liked that too. The new scheduled tasks manager kicks some serious a$$, if you do any kind of scheduled tasks you'll probably love that. I never ran it on my normal PC where i would probably find out alot more what i like/hate about it but i'm planning on doing that in the near future.

[Miller]

Good to get the MS perspective. Thanks Kevin!

[Miller]

So I just read that Windows Home Sever doesn't support a 64bit OS. Hmmm...

[Miller]

Nevermind, turns out I just wasn't reading the latest news.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=353

Looks like the support for 64 bit will come sometime in the next few months.

[pochrist]

My thoughts... Wait for the next version

Not very impressed with it, interface was nice but essentially bloatware and kill off the special effects is the only way to get perfomance. My computer was a 4.8 on 1.0-5.0 Vista scale and it still suffered performance wise till I disabled the "Mac" effects.

If you must waste your money on it buy the ultimate version if your used to and using XP Pro - Premium lacks advanced features like disk spanning (oh the option is there - but it does work - me and a 3 MS techie's verified this).

I also reverted back to XP Pro - or as I like to say "Upgraded" to XP Pro.

Sorry if I sound negative, but I feel obligated to warn people when they are putting their money in danger

[Miller]

So you think use XP Pro, buy 4GB of RAM (eat the waste for now) and then when the next system comes out, upgrade? I just hate upgrading and would rather do a clean install... maybe I'm just being a wuss.

[pochrist]

Well Does all the software you want run support a 64bit OS, ie GB-PVR and the like. This the real killer, I wanted to use the 64bit version of XP Pro, but I was faced with buying software I already had or wait until the software maker upgraded to 64bit.

I think the waste is more in pumping 4gb of memory into the system if you really don't need it yet... just wait til you do, by then the Ram you need will be cheaper.

64bit is great, but its like having a lamborghini on 3 mile island - all that horse power and you can't really use it - yet.

If your worried about the Upgrade from XP to Vista, or what about the upgrade from Vista to Windows "xxx"

It's is better to jump from Win 98se to Winxp and skip the ME nightmare - same applies here. Vista is 7 yr. dud, Even Dell went back to selling systems with XP again because the demand for Vista was so poor.

I agree about no wanting to upgrade, I always do a clean install, I even did a clean install on the my Vista Premium upgrade (there is a way to do it - and is legal - I authorized twice).

There are still systems that don't "need" 4gbs as far as I can see a PVR is more for playback and recording. The heavy hitterl out the like Graphics machines, Cad machines and the like are all the ones using 4gb and more. Hell look it like this Do the Tivo units require all this Hardware?

[Miller]

True, I think it boils down to the fight against that little voice that says I got to have the latest and greatest. I'm leaning more towards XP every day. (Although, Microsoft is sending me a free copy of Vista for letting them "watch" a computer.) So we'll see...