windows xp

pros

Stability with drivers and software.
The startup is resource is not consuming on cpu.
The graphics arent taking up big resources.

cons

Can not support direct x 10 (built for vista only)
Does not have the latest security allowing security threats like trojans and viruses and hackers.

Windows Vista

pros

Supports the latest security
Supports Direct X 10 and the latest graphics

Cons

Resource consuming on cpu on startup from services,aero style and the rest of the effects
Compatibility Issues- Drivers Such as Sound and Software like Antivirus (However this may change in time due to availability of service packs and updates)

(personal opinion) The graphics look like a mac operating system if i wanted one im sure i would have got one

Well hmm winXP does not support DX10 then WHY the heck are game like WIC and COH playable on XP DX10 machines?

Rookies

Nothing wrong with WIN2K, But personally I would not install it on my own machine.

I will have to go with Windows Vista, but do not take me wrong. This is only for now, since I haven't used XP in about 10 months. However when XP SP3 comes out, I'm dumping Vista, since the DX10 is all just a gimmick so far, and Crysis can also be played in DX9, with almost 95% of the exact same effects as in DX10 very high mode.

I have Vista 64-bit and I am perfectly happy with it.
There are some annoying bits and some old 32-bit software (like Zonealarm) won't work. Also I can't find out how to switch autorun annd stuff on but hey.... I still like it.

This happens every time a new OS comes out, just wait and it'll get better. Of course, on the other hand, that philosophy did'nt work for WIndows ME

ok this is a quick reply so I will make it just that, I like Xp because I know Xp, now I know that vista has a tendency to eat up all of the resources but if the computer it is running on can support all of the crap it does fine I guess I will learn a new O.S.

Well people are forced to learn a new OS because these new machines come out with vista. But im XP for now until VISTA is not perfected but more solid. But you can customize Vista to your likeness which is not bad @ all.

yeah at least you can turn vista into the xp style or any visual style you like at least that somethink.

Thats probably why they designed it that way so you can make it look like Xp, they try to make it so there is little reason for people to complain about having to learn a new OS

We just don't live in a perfect world where everything is 64-bit 100%, it's still a 32-bit world with some 16-bit applications and games still hanging on. Next round-up 128-bit, 256-bit, 512-bit 1024-bit an so on..

XP Pro for the win! (does'nt enjoy the vista on his laptop)

Yea these applications will always be around because places like hospitals and other spots need applications for people who barely use computers. So simplex apps will always be around..IDK about the whole 1024 bit thing.

But the whole customization thing is only used for those whole want the old style..its like using XP to look like 2K..same concept. Overall I would just go with XP because large organizations are just upgrading to XP and it will take atleast another 3-4 yrs B4 Vista is implemented into businesses who use hundreds of Apps.

I voted Vista (Home Basic does me). There's no real innate technological advantage that I'm using Vista for (other than perhaps their new TCP/IP stack setup - though that's quite trivial for all that I use Vista for).

Now a few reasons why I prefer Vista to XP: better search utilities, sexier interface [default XP just seems so old and unattractive], integrated sidebar and DirectX 10.

The final reason why I feel obliged to use Vista over XP is because I feel it necessary to face technological challenges. I mean, I know that there are issues with Vista (especially around compatibility) - but I'm happy enough to deal with that in order to keep up with the latest technology.

XP is my choice, I just want my PC to work. Until Vista is reqired, I won't upgrade. BTW, where's the Linux choice?

I personally prefer Windows XP

I voted vista. Everyone tends to hate new OS's when they come out, XP was also hated to begin with. I don't think most the arguments against vista are well founded anymore with SP1 out and many of the driver problems resolved.

As recently as their May 2008 issue, PCWorld magazine did some file and gaming tests with XP, Vista, and Vista w/ SP1. In the majority of the tests XP outperformed both Vista incarnations. Pick up a copy of the mag, and see what you think.
C'mon Obi-Wan.....This is a M$ vs M$ mediocrity competition. Why confuse everybody with an OS that works. Well, not without some effort, and not with any games peole seem to want to play.

And 98se outperformed XP in nearly everything when XP came out. Unfortunately for us (techspot) we switched boards in Feb 2002, XP came out in October 2001, so all the threads complaining about XP and using 98 for gaming over XP are no longer available. But they did happen, and happened all over computer forums.

When you release a new OS you put capabilities and features into it that take advantage of hardware speed increases and resources, that on top of the Vista approved hardware fiasco makes users of some new computers from retail manufacturers have pretty poor out of the box performance in Vista. When really their hardware isn't good enough for Vista and should be on something like XP or 2000.

I you sure 98SE was faster then XP in what way? That's almost like saying DOS was faster than Win3.11 as GeoWorks Pro was faster than Win3.11. Or you're talking about gaming with 98SE oh..

All this is going to change when Windows 7 hits the streets in 2009 and say goodby e to Vista. Plus most users are stuck in 32-bit world even though 64-bit OS is out not much support for that. The way the trends are going 128-bit might outshine 64-bit OS. Just taking so long for things to get in.. DirectX10 over DirectX9.0c true graphics look better but you got a beef up system and high video card. Almost comes near a MAC Sprint Video Graphics.

I'm talking about gaming, but I'm sure within explorer itself 98se was more responsive.

Counterstrike speed problems in XP vs 98, also mentions poor driver support in XP.

Vista vs XP with mentions of 98 In response to someone asking if its just a waiting game until Vista becomes faster than XP... "It wont. The performance gap will close, but XP is way friendlier on slower hardware and this wont change. Just as 98se will always be faster than XP (on launch hardware), so will XP be faster than Vista." Which is basically what I said in post #57.

Incredibly similar thread to ones we have on Vista vs XP, but this is comparing 98se, 2000, and XP back in 2002 one quote is "I have never tried XP only b/c i want some of the bugs taken care of. I will wait for a later release before i try that one. Thats the same stuff I see here all the time, but with Vista.

Here is a guy wanting to remove XP and put 98se on his storebought comp.

So this is almost identical to what happened when XP came out, and there were speed and driver problems in XP. The only difference is that there were essentially 3 OS choices back then and now there are 2.