Windows 7 release? Pay for Vista now or wait?

[Operaghost]

I'm putting together my I7 rig and was wondering if I should just stick with XP until windows 7 comes out or should I pay 100 bucks for an OEM Vista in the meantime?

I am definately getting Win 7 when it comes out but is there a projection on when that will be yet?

If its only gonna be 6 months or so then I'll probably just stick with my XP until then, if its going to be another year before its on shelves though, then I'll go with Vista.

Anyone help my dilemma?

[drew630]

Even though I love Vista, if I were you I would stick with XP (assuming you already own a copy) since Windows 7 will probably be out within the year. There is no sense IMO in paying 100 bucks for something you will only be keeping for less than a year.

[Operaghost]

Or....

Can the Win 7 Beta be put on bootable media and installed as the only OS?

I wouldn't mind just running the beta until I can get full retail either. If that is a viable option?

[Operaghost]

Ya I agree with you Drew. I don't wanna fork out the cash if its gonna be less than a year (which it sounds like it will be)

I'm looking into installing the beta until then ;)

[Demon10000]

The beta will most likley expire before the OS has been released. Even with Microsofts agressive schedule, I don't think it will see retail shelves until the end of the year at the soonest.

[Operaghost]

Will there not be a way to extend the beta license at all?

[heatlesssun]

At some point before 7's release Microsoft will off free upgrades from Vista to 7 so sure. I'd hold on to that.

Another option is to by something like TechNet. If you're going to by multiple copies of Windows 7, or need Office and this is the way to go.

It's $350 but you get all versions of Windows and Office with 10 licenses that will never expire. It can be a good deal depending on your situation.

[DeaconFrost]

Honestly, I wouldn't chance the scheduling as Demon10000 said. I'd look into a cheap license for Vista for now, even Basic, just to get you going. You can always re-use Vista on another PC once Windows 7 is released, and any issues are worked out.

[Demon10000]

At some point before 7's release Microsoft will off free upgrades from Vista to 7 so sure. I'd hold on to that.



Are you certain about that?

I know that their was a program that Microsoft had started where if you purchased a new PC with Vista through a qualifiying OEM, you could upgrade to Win7 for no cost later. However, I *HIGHLY* doubt they will let all Vista users upgrade to Win7 for free. That would be saying that Vista was a flop and they won't do that, even if it was that bad.

If you have something to prove me wrong, I'd love to see it. I would give major Kudos to Microsoft for something like this, but I won't believe it until it happens!

[andrerocha09]

i say wait for 7, keep xp for now. vista looks a lot like 7, you will be a lot happier when getting the fresh and new interface of windows 7 imo, i would.

[brucedeluxe169]

keep XP.... you really dont want to run a beta OS as your main ....

[heatlesssun]

Are you certain about that?

I know that their was a program that Microsoft had started where if you purchased a new PC with Vista through a qualifiying OEM, you could upgrade to Win7 for no cost later. However, I *HIGHLY* doubt they will let all Vista users upgrade to Win7 for free. That would be saying that Vista was a flop and they won't do that, even if it was that bad.

If you have something to prove me wrong, I'd love to see it. I would give major Kudos to Microsoft for something like this, but I won't believe it until it happens!

Yeah I'm sure. Remember they have those retail boxes out on shelves of the old OS still for months before the new OS gets to store shelves after the release date has been announced so they have to do that to keep the money flowing otherwise the box retail sales would simply dry up.

I don't have any proof on hand but when the release date for 7 is announced you'll see free upgrades offered for 7 over Vista.

[yossarian]

Yeah I'm sure. Remember they have those retail boxes out on shelves of the old OS still for months before the new OS gets to store shelves after the release date has been announced so they have to do that to keep the money flowing otherwise the box retail sales would simply dry up.

I don't have any proof on hand but when the release date for 7 is announced you'll see free upgrades offered for 7 over Vista.

Probably true. Just before Vista came out, they announced free upgrades for recent purchases of XP. I bought XP Pro at Staples for $50 (after $50 rebate), then got Vista Business for free through MS. I'm pretty sure they did a similar thing when XP came out for Win 95 users. So, if you can stretch it out to within a few months of release, you can get a close-out deal on vista and get Win 7 for free. Probably.

[heatlesssun]

Probably true. Just before Vista came out, they announced free upgrades for recent purchases of XP. I bought XP Pro at Staples for $50 (after $50 rebate), then got Vista Business for free through MS. I'm pretty sure they did a similar thing when XP came out for Win 95 users. So, if you can stretch it out to within a few months of release, you can get a close-out deal on vista and get Win 7 for free. Probably.

Yeah just wait for the announce of Windows 7, we'll have a good idea buy the time the RC comes out when that will be. The RC will need to be out by mid year at the latest but I doubt they'll go that long before a new release, I'm guessing we should see something by April.

[Operaghost]

Well this blows. I don't wanna spend 100 bucks for an 8-12 month OS. However, at the same time, I don't want to load up a 32 bit Win XP on my brand new 64bit capable I7 rig. I'm coming from a P4 so I was really looking forward to using a new OS and all.

I guess there isn't too much harm in running XP on the new I7 rig until Win 7 releases, was just really lookin forward to using either Vista or Win 7 on it.

Anyone else have any suggestions or ideas?

[anss123]

Dual boot with the Win7 Beta (install XP first). When the latter expires in august wait for release or buy Vista with a Win7 voucher (assuming there is such a thing).

[eeyrjmr]

is there anything that VIsta does that you need that XP doesn't

[anss123]

is there anything that VIsta does that you need that XP doesn't
Not really, but you do get Directx 10, a nicer look (IMO) and less/no graphic glitches like tearing and redraw errors (since in Vista the OS does the redrawing, not apps that occasionally forgets to redraw areas).

Redraw issues has been a pet peeve of mine for years. Having to minimize/maximize windows to force a redraw is annoying, but I've never had to do that in the two years I've used Vista.

[DeaconFrost]

Anyone else have any suggestions or ideas?
What about getting a copy of Vista to use for now, then moving it to your current computer? Or, if you are a student, sign up for DreamSpark and get Server 2008. Then, once you go to Windows 7, use Server 2008 on your old computer as a server.
is there anything that VIsta does that you need that XP doesn't
Well, it's a better OS that outperforms XP. If you've been using Vista, it's tough to go back to XP.

[mknlb50]

Stick with XP for now, OP. Just wait for Windows 7, you'll save yourself time and money. Don't listen to those people who wasted their money on that pos OS.

[dr.stevil]

honestly, after using vista for so long, I couldn't go back to XP exclusively. More so to a 32bit os, from a 64bit os.

Just a heads up, check out ebay and craigslist. I got my copy of vista (ultimate x64) for 20.00 locally... 100% legit. Don't buy into all the negitive hype, vista really is a rock solid OS, especially for your hardware.

[Operaghost]

Ya Im definately not opposed to Vista, I just don't want to waste my money on an OS Im only gonna use for 8 - 10 months.

I think I will just stick with XP for now. I do have a question though.

What are the major differences between a 32 bit & 64 bit OS? I never really read up on the differences. I know most the digs between so & vista as far as features etc, but don't know how 32 vs 64 differs.

[Operaghost]

Ya Im definately not opposed to Vista, I just don't want to waste my money on an OS Im only gonna use for 8 - 10 months.

I think I will just stick with XP for now. I do have a question though.

What are the major differences between a 32 bit & 64 bit OS? I never really read up on the differences. I know most the digs between so & vista as far as features etc, but don't know how 32 vs 64 differs.

[Operaghost]

Ya Im definately not opposed to Vista, I just don't want to waste my money on an OS Im only gonna use for 8 - 10 months.

I think I will just stick with XP for now. I do have a question though.

What are the major differences between a 32 bit & 64 bit OS? I never really read up on the differences. I know most the digs between so & vista as far as features etc, but don't know how 32 vs 64 differs.

[Operaghost]

Shit, Sorry for the multi-post.

My iPod is on the fritz, my bad.

[DeaconFrost]

The main, easiest to see difference is full support for 4 GB of memory or more.

[Haste266]

wait to build the new rig...thats my suggestion

[Operaghost]

Fuck thats right....that means my RAM is going to be wasted.

Thats the nail in the coffin then, fuckit, I'll get an OEM Vista and just use it on the rig in my sig once I get Win 7

[dr.stevil]

well, honestly, it's not even a really big deal unless you're using some very demanding applications. I believe it can still use it, it just can't allocate all of it to one application (I might be wrong about that)

I wouldn't necessarily upgrade just for that if you plan on going to windows 7 right away

[DeaconFrost]

The memory won't be addressed, so it isn't going to be used.

[Operaghost]

wait to build the new rig...thats my suggestion

Why on earth would I not put it all together if I already have it? To wait 8-12 months for Win 7?

That's seriously illogical.

[ixbiosxi]

I'm running windows 7 beta right now and I say wait for it, don't buy vista. It's probably one of the better versions of windows ms has released to date.

[Dual]

I would spend $100 on OEM Vista Home Premium.

I have the Windows 7 beta on one of my systems and it really is nice. But there are a few issues like punkbuster not working.

Also the WIndows 7 beta license expires in Aug.

Or you can join technet now and get whatever version of Vista you want and get Windows 7 when it comes out.