Windows 7 or Vista - which option?

[Retro Pedro]

We're looking to buy a new Laptop and was hoping that if any members with IT knowledge can give me any advise or links to other forums that might help me in choice of which OS and laptop to go with.
I realise that personal choice is a big player, but remember the IT fellers at work saying that when Vista first appeared it had teething problems. Wonder if it's the same for Windows 7 or does it run OK. Then it appears there's a choice between 32bit and 64bit.
Looking to buy at 15.6" screen with 4gb memory and 512mb graphics card to assist with the graphics on the OS system.
Also seeing Dual Core T4300 or T6600 on different machines - I assumed that's the processing speed.
Seen a few of the well known brands in the listings, but I have also seen an Asus laptop that seems to tick the boxes. Anybody every heard of this make?
Cheers for any advice.
Pedro

[Drift]

My stepson has just bought this

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/editor ... g61-laptop

Goes like stink.

Many people comment windows 7 is the fix for vista, it is a lighter OS and uses less resources so faster.

Im considering the upgrade from Vista to 7 on this desktop.


(Cue MS haters )

Remember its a Vista vs Windows 7

[Road Hog]

Windows 7 seems to be XP with a Mac Os X overlay to me,if there was still full support I would have stayed with 98SE

[Sir-Doris]

And there was me thinking windows 7 was a refined version of vista with windows XP suport

I would be inclined to go with windows 7.

T4300 or T6600, this refers to Intel CPU Models, it is not an their actual gigahertz rating but the higher the number the faster the cpu.

4 gig of ram is plenty and if you buy a pc with 4 gig of ram then it will be a 64 bit operating system installed as 32bit OS's cant see over 3.5gig of memory.

Graphics cards, again higher numbers are better, but just because it has 512MB of memory doesnt mean its going to be fast, look for a fast graphics card, for EG. a nvidia 9600GT with 256MB ram will generally be faster then an 8600GT with 512MB memory. Browse the web and familiarise yourself with ATI and Nvidia graphics cards as they are the 2 key players.

Bear in mind that if it is a 64 bit system you end up getting there is the possibility that drivers for your existing peripherals such as printers, scanners, network components etc may not be available in 64bit versions yet or at all. This shouldnt apply to newer equipment manufactured after the release of windows vista but is certainly something to take into account.

[Trotter]

You'll get teething problems with ANY new OS.

You have to bear in mind that as soon as it is launched over here, it is already out of date!

When it has downloaded enough updates, it will be fine. (whichever one you choose.)

Hope this helps.

[Drift]

Yup 45 updates as soon as his laptop hit the WWW

[Trotter]

[Rich]

ive got my laptop set up for duel boot vista and windows 7 out of the two windows 7 is so much faster

[Retro Pedro]

Cheers guys for replys - I have been looking at 'ebuyer' which don't look to bad for price. Thanks Sir Doris for info on graphics card, didn't have a clue on what to look out for, just picked up on IT fellas telling me it would be better to have one to save using extra memory running OS graphics.
The idea is to use the laptop downstairs in the warm in front of the fire, connecting to existing broadband via WiFi. Still intend using the original desktop PC which has a cable connection router for the cable internet, so I assume I can buy a gizzmo that will allow connection for WiFi and simultaneous hard cable should wifey want to use the laptop at the same time as I want to use the desktop PC.

[Drift]

You should be able to run a cable from your router to a laptop and use wireless at the same time, most routers have at least 4 cable ports to hard wire a device into.

[BadBoy]

Got to be Windows 7.
We have 2 identical lap tops, one running Vista, and the other Windows 7
I can boot the Windows 7 machine up, check my email and shut it down in the time it takes the Vista machine to get to the start up screen.
7 uses 15% less processor power on my machines, leaving all that extra for whatever I need it for
It looks better
It is easier to use plus, any good retailer would never sell an old Vista machine now unless is was old stock at a reduced price.

My opinion. Forget Vista, get a machine with Windows 7

[Krusher]

Here ya go Pete, you can go wireless with this

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/ ... egory_oid=

and still hardwire your desktop aswell.....

[Retro Pedro]

Watcha Kel - In the end went with the PC World puter that Drift put the link to (cheers Drift). Fella in shop reckoned that because we're on Virgin Media, I would need their rooter and to see if Virgin would upgrade our rooter to a wireless one. Which they will do for £40 - tried the loyal customer bit and the blackmail to moving to BT but they weren't having any of it.
So waiting for the 4 port wireless rooter to arrive and then Sue can watch Cornation Street and surf the web at the same time. Mind you I did tell her it was the laptop or the new cooker - so going the laptop route means I can have another year's grace from doing the kitchen - method in the madness.

[Drift]

You can use any router I am on Virgin to and used a non virgin router for a while till I upgraded to 50meg then they sent me a D-link router.

That said £40 aint a bad price for a new router.

[furball]

Personally I'm doing what I always do with a new Micro$oft OS and steering well clear until they release the first service pack for it. That's when all the really big bug fixes are usually applied.

[Drift]

Have to be honest Kieron has all kinds on his already and not one issue, as said 45 updates straight off, looks like they have got their finger out on this one.

[ken mercer]

hi from ken dees anybod y know if windows 7 supports dos? i have lots of games ie castle wolvenstein which wont run on crappy vista home, downloaded dosbox but i cant figure it out, any input guys? thanks ken

[furball]

hi from ken dees anybod y know if windows 7 supports dos? i have lots of games ie castle wolvenstein which wont run on crappy vista home, downloaded dosbox but i cant figure it out, any input guys? thanks ken

Try this ere guide type fingy...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/150602/how_to_play_classic_dos_games_with.html

[yaki]

Must admit that despite being a techy I usually steer clear of MS stuff until SP1 is released but in the case of Vista I avoided it totally and stuck with XP.

Installed Win7 on my Samsung Q1 a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised with how well it coped. Despite having a fairly low powered CPU it performs better than I thought it would

The one gripe I do have with Win7 (and Vista) is getting in to the guts of it is always at least 1 or 2 mouse clicks farther away than in XP.