New PC: WinXP or Win 7?

FreeRepublic ^ | 6/30/2010 | Oshkalaboomboom

[circlecity]

"Go with 7 unless you need to copy files over a vpn. I keep xp running in a vm since I need to copy files over the network a lot."

That was one thing that ticked me off about Microsoft. In Windows XP there was a built in VPN client in the Home version (the version which comes pre-installed on a new machine). From Vista on you have to buy the Professional or Ultimate version to get a windows VPN client. That was low. I know you can download other vpn software but it was just a petty example of MS nickle-diming their customers just because they can.

[driftdiver]

OH my Gosh, that NEVER happens!! /s

[arthurus]

With AVG and Spybot/Malwarebytes, I have not had any problems since I dumped McAffee several years ago.

[driftdiver]

Hopefully you aren’t running any kid of PII or PHI on the computer.

[for-q-clinton]

Are you sure you aren’t referring to Vista? Win7 has a mode called XP mode that pretty much runs the app in a self contained VM.

[zeugma]

You really haven't given enough information for anyone to give you an intellegent suggestion beyond their own personal preferences. It depends entirely upon how much and what kind of hardware you plan to buy. If you're getting a 64-bit system and plan to buy more than 4gb of ram, (even if you don't start out with more than 4gb, you're going to be better off with win7, as it will better support it unless you have an old copy of xp-64. (did they make such a thing?)

What kind of stuff you do with your PC also makes a difference. If it's just surfing the net, doing email, and doing an office doc occasionally, that may well influence how much hardware you want to buy. Also if you're like me, and like a system to last for a while, you're better off buying a faster box with more ram, so 6-7 years down the road it doesn't feel like such a dog.

Personally, I prefer Linux, but it takes all kinds to make a computing world. If you want something that 'just works' Apple, and OSX might be an option, but it is Unix under the hood, so you might not care about its other benefits.

Good luck building a new box. I only do that a little less than once a decade so I always enjoy the experience of getting everything exactly the way I want it from the get-go, with room for expansion as time goes by.

[KSCITYBOY]

7

[MikefromOhio]

If this was for the wife and IF we were going to use it for more than just internet and whatnot, I’d go with Windows 7.

If it was only for me, I’d seriously think about dual/triple booting XP/7/LINUX just for the heck of it.

[shotdog]

One word: Imac

[NathanR]

He said that he wanted no flavors of UNIX. The Mackbook Pro’s OS is a flavor of UNIX.

[raybbr]

The system will be a 3Ghz AMD Athlon II CPU, Asus motherboard, 2GB DDRII ram (probably add more as soon as I get it), SATA-II hard drive and DVD Burner

Sounds like my box. You should use the Windows Upgrade Advisor if your box is still running. It will tell you if your setup can handle it.

I really like W7. I had Vista on a laptop and put 7 on it and it's waaaaaaaaaay better.

[Tainan]

Win7. And here's my reasoning why:
Pretty soon, or so the rumor is going, the file system thing on Hard Dives is going to be changing. Computers, 64 bit type is the way to go, will all have to meet the new standard for HD files storage. So might as well get it now and be ready for the new file storage type thing.

Disclaimer: I use XP Pro and like it. A lot. It meets my needs very well. I run an old school P4 that just hums along fantastically.
But, sooner or later I'm going to upgrade the system. I usually buy, or have built, a system that is a notch or so down from a "top of the line" bells & whistles. I go for stability rather than "over-clocking more speed more speed" stuff. But thats just me. My box is still rock solid and its from 2002 or around there.
Thus endeth my speech. Good Luck!

[dayglored]

> 7 without question. XP is decent but will no longer be supported. 7 fixed the Vista problems and seems to be a pretty strong operating system.

What he said.

A year ago I'd have said XP, because Win7 was still new. But Win7 has it all over XP now.

[TexasTransplant]

You too? Just purchased a XEON Dual 2.8GHZ w/4GB my guy is building it in a Big Box with lots of Exp room and fans... also big PWR Supply ... hope to keep this one around for awhile... Win 7 Pro (stable and runs both 32 and 64 bit apps) Now if I could just figure out how to print envelopes in Open Office I wouldn’t have to get another copy of MS Office...
TT

[Thebaddog]

Yeah, baby. NT is simple and safe. Too bad computers aren’t.

[TexasTransplant]

***** “Now if I could just figure out how to print envelopes in Open Office I wouldn’t have to get another copy of MS Office... “ *****

Should read “an Easy Way” to print envelopes (may just look into Avery or some other little patch until Open Office helps me out)

TT

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Looks like it will be Windows 7 Ultimate. Now the first thing I need to do is figure out how to stop those popup boxes that ask if it’s ok to do anything or else I’ll wipe it out within a day. I installed Win7 on a pc I sent to my sister and she wanted it that way but I was going crazy just in the little time I spent on it.

[Swordmaker]

Win 7, because its not causing Foxconn employees to commit suicide.

Foxconn builds computers and components for HP, Dell, Sony, Fujitsu, Toshiba... and a host of other computer companies as well as Apple.

[cornfedcowboy]

FWIW-it seems like netbooks run faster with XP. I recently purchased a netbook for my wife with Win 7 and it is much slower(has faster processor and equal RAM)..I would guess Win7 takes more RAM. Any experts feel free to correct me.
YMMV

[Swordmaker]

All...looks at the 2nd post in this thread. I thought these things never get posted in windows threads.

OMG....Swordmaker please explain to Keith that macbots should never talk bad about windows in a windows thread.

Let's see... what does the 2nd post in this thread say "bad" about Windows?

"MacBook Pro. Because they work. :)"

Hmmmmm.... not a word about Windows... certainly not something bad.

I think you are inferring something... perhaps there's an implication there. You certainly have a thin skin about your Windows Operating Systems. There is certainly no insult or ad hominem attack on a Windows user in Post #2.

But, for-q-clinton, there CERTAINLY is an Ad Hominem insult in YOUR post...