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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Vista FAQ's
Q – Is there any advantage to Windows Vista, and should I upgrade to it?
A – Vista offers little functional advantage over Windows XP for the great majority of computer users, and in fact, if you buy a Vista Basic PC, you’ll actually have less functionality than you enjoyed with XP. In addition, Vista is still “buggie”, not compatible with common hardware and third-party software, and requires much more system performance to simply run the operating system. Therefore upgrading from earlier versions of Windows to Vista is risky and not recommended.
Q – Isn’t Windows Vista supposed to be more secure than XP?
A – While it is true that Vista comes with some built-in security features that were not standard equipment on earlier versions of Windows, like Windows Defender, Vista buyers still have to add internet security software to fully protect their PC’s. For example, Vista does not have any anti-virus capability, which should be considered a minimum security feature of any Windows-based computer.
Q – What are the real minimum system requirements for running Vista?
A – The answer to this depends somewhat on how you expect to be using your PC, but the general consensus is that Vista machines should be equipped with, at minimum, dual-core processors (Intel or AMD is fine), 2 GB of RAM, and a high-performance video graphics adapter with 256 MB of built-in memory.
Q – I see a lot of inexpensive computers for sale equipped with Vista. Why shouldn’t I just buy one of those?
A – Microsoft forced the computer retailers to stop selling computers equipped with Windows XP as soon as Vista was launched. Unfortunately, the manufacturers were stuck with a bunch of PC hardware that wasn’t really Vista compatible, so they just closed their eyes, loaded them with Vista anyway and shoved them out the door at bargain prices. Some of those machines will perform okay despite this, but many will not. Buying a Vista computer that does not meet the minimum hardware performance specifications to run Vista efficiently is asking for trouble.
Q – Which version of Vista is right for me if I do get it?
A – In order to have at least as much functionality as you now enjoy with XP, pass on Vista Home Basic, and go for the Home Premium edition. Jumping to the Business version adds features that would be important if you were on a business network and wanted to access your PC remotely, but you’d also lose some of the multimedia features of Home Premium. To get all the bells and whistles, buy Vista Ultimate.
Q – Can I still buy a new computer with Widows XP, and if so, where?
A – Yes it is still possible to get Windows XP machines, but probably only for a limited time. The number of brands and models still available with XP is getting smaller all the time, and you need to order them through specific on-line sources. Local retailers will not be able to sell computers equipped with XP. Please, contact me for more information.