As most of you know, I just started my own business. I bought new computers. Should I upgrade to Vista. It is $10? Need IT advice.

My Windows95 is still going strong, so I would say no.

But if you must... wait until Vista SP2 or 3 is out fixing the hundreds of security holes/bugs and patches that never really patched Vista or SP1. I'll bet it will still be available at your local Fry's.

Vista offers little that's truly new. The processor and memory-hogging GUI is a bit trendy (in a MAC OS X way), but under the hood it is still a 32-bit NTFS twin of XP. (or just call it what the experts do... "XP SP3").

Also ask yourself... What apps does Vista run that XP SP2 can't? (current answer is *nothing*). And actually, probably less at the moment.

In a couple years, you will be able to buy new Win boxes for $600 that have Vista SP2 already installed, with 4 or 8GB RAM, 512MB dual processor graphic cards handling DirectX 12, 6TB dual raid drives, an Octo-processor, Dual BluRay optical drives with full 1920 x 1080 HDTV support and USB3. And the really cool part of those *won't* be the OS.

THEN, you can happily have Vista and be proud (because there will be no choice). Or, like most of us, you could be running a Linux box or two and be free of Bill and his gang once and for good.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
As most of you know, I just started my own business. I bought new computers. Should I upgrade to Vista. It is $10? Need IT advice.

Welcome to the world of small business.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
As most of you know, I just started my own business. I bought new computers. Should I upgrade to Vista. It is $10? Need IT advice.

Post the specifics of the machine you want to upgrade.

• Right click My Computer
  
• Click Properties
  
• Computer - Processor speed and RAM
  

If RAM is 512MB or less, don't bother upgrading. Or, upgrade your hardware before even considering Vista.

Edit: Bill Gates was quoted as saying:"This [Vista] is the biggest most complicated thing we've ever done." Think about that for a minute.

Congrats Fan!!!

Let us know if we can help with any of your marketing to get the new biz off the ground. Clammy has generously offered to cook and serve up some tasty treats in front of your new office to get people in the door. My2cents has offered her assistance in finding dead people leads....for estate issues. Normy has also offered to serve up some of his famous girlietinis and I will play the cowbell. You don't have to thank us Fan. That's what we're here for. Invoice's in the mail.

How computer savvy are you? If you just opened a new business, spend your time on the business instead of learning (and learning to deal with) Vista. Many recently purchased PCs can run Vista fine, but many cannot. If you don't know, don't do it.

I've been running Vista on a couple of PCs for about 4 months. It is kind of cool and it does provide some things that XP doesn't, but for many users, the best solution is to wait and not upgrade an existing XP OS to Vista.

quote:

Originally posted by HalfinGlenEllyn:
How computer savvy are you? If you just opened a new business, spend your time on the business instead of learning (and learning to deal with) Vista. Many recently purchased PCs can run Vista fine, but many cannot. If you don't know, don't do it.

I've been running Vista on a couple of PCs for about 4 months. It is kind of cool and it does provide some things that XP doesn't, but for many users, the best solution is to wait and not upgrade an existing XP OS to Vista.

I'll post specs on Monday. But let's get real clear, I have no intention of doing this myself. I hire out my technology issues.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
I bought new computers. Should I upgrade to Vista. It is $10?

Yes. For new computers, it's a true no-brainer. I've been running Vista since around September, it's very good.


Don't hesitate, it will lower your overall IT bill. (I'm assuming you're NOT being offered Vista Home or Basic)

I'd also suggest that you go with Office 2007.

Are you running Quickbooks? If so, no. There are campatibility issues. I use to tell clients that being on the leading edge of technology was good... but staying on the bleeding edge of technology can prove troublesome. IMO, stay with a stable platform of XP or 2k until the bugs and inevitable security holes are worked out.

Also, iTunes is not fully compatible with Vista... yet

FAN,Since Oldsmobile is no longer around I would stay away from the Vista Cruiser.The Ram is a nice truck but with the little Fans getting bigger I don't think it would be very practical. The same goes for that XP,A little small for the Fan Clan. HTH. See you at Lake Ellyn.

quote:

Originally posted by Dan the Man:
Also, iTunes is not fully compatible with Vista... yet

There is a temporary work around to get iTunes working under Vista. IIRC, you right click on the iTunes.exe icon and under properties set it to run as an administrator.

If this doesn't work for you, let me know and I'll verify the process -- not on a Vista machine right now.

UPDATE: Regardless of whether or not this fix will get iTunes to work in Vista, Apple is now recommending not running iTunes in Vista until a new version of iTunes is available to fix specific issues.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HalfinGlenEllyn,

yeah, I think this is an important specific issue:

"According to a notice posted on Apple's Web site, compatibility problems include the inability to play music or video purchased from the online iTunes store,..."

quote:

Originally posted by Dan the Man:
yeah, I think this is an important specific issue:

"According to a notice posted on Apple's Web site, compatibility problems include the inability to play music or video purchased from the online iTunes store,..."

The issue goes beyond not being able to play purchased content. There is the potential for damage to hardware. The fix I outlined will allow music to be played. I doubt if it resolves the damage issue.