Windows 7 to Vista to xP

I've purchased a qualifying pc for the free Windows 7 upgrade, and am running Vista Home Premium currently. I've been wondering what the main specific differentations are between these, in terms of performance, compatibility, so on, along with the overall comparison to that of the Operating System of xP. My knowledge on each is relatively minimal, and any help would be appreciated.

We have Vista on my campuses computers, I have Xp on my own.

To me Vista and 7 are attempts to look more like Mac than anything else. Personally, I find it irritating that they change everything around and make it to where anyone who has been using the original windows 95 style for the last 15 years has to almost completely relearn how to use the software. Vista has the option to return to the old styling, but they have removed that from windows 7 from what I understand.

I don't know anything about the stability of the operating system as the computers at my school are top of the line as far as processors and hardware so they don't really freeze up or have any of the issues that a regular everyday PC has. But it seems like they have made the interface more difficult than it used to be for some reason. The old format has worked for years, so why change it.

Windows 7 is what Vista should've been. Stick with 7, it's great and the interface is smooth (sure, it takes like 5-10 minutes to learn it but you can always switch back to the old one)

Originally Posted by Danger

Linux Mint 7 is what Vista should've been. Stick with 7, it's great and the interface is smooth (sure, it takes like 5-10 minutes to learn it but you can always switch back to the old one)

Fix'd.

I appreciate the information, Danger and shadowofhyrule.

Does anyone else know any further information on this?

Originally Posted by shadowofhyrule

We have Vista on my campuses computers, I have Xp on my own.

To me Vista and 7 are attempts to look more like Mac than anything else. Personally, I find it irritating that they change everything around and make it to where anyone who has been using the original windows 95 style for the last 15 years has to almost completely relearn how to use the software. Vista has the option to return to the old styling, but they have removed that from windows 7 from what I understand.

I don't know anything about the stability of the operating system as the computers at my school are top of the line as far as processors and hardware so they don't really freeze up or have any of the issues that a regular everyday PC has. But it seems like they have made the interface more difficult than it used to be for some reason. The old format has worked for years, so why change it.

My school computers are XP computers stripped to basically be Classic. They're moderately fast. It sometimes completely freezes, though. Perhaps it's the school network?

Nope. You can revert to Classic anytime; though I don't feel like seeing if it changes the look completely. In fact, you have the basic 7 theme, Classic, and those horrible-looking High Contrast Themes.

Originally Posted by Danger

Windows 7 is what Vista should've been. Stick with 7, it's great and the interface is smooth (sure, it takes like 5-10 minutes to learn it but you can always switch back to the old one)

If you have Vista, I recommend switching to 7, since it's the same thing, but much faster. It requires about 1/2 the RAM, CPU, etc. With your situation, take the free upgrade to 7.

I always disliked Vista and I haven't tried 7 yet but I use XP on all my computers and are extremely happy with it. IMO, it's the best one.

Most of the computers at my school use XP too. Some are still using Windows 98 though...yeaah...

I have only met one person who has been happy with Vista. XP is good (from personal experience), but I'd probably take the free upgrade.

Well, Windows 7 is officially out tomorrow, if you PC users are interested. You probably "have" it already, but that's not the real deal.

My copy of Windows 7 arrived today. Unfortunately I haven't installed it yet, because I was planning on backing up tonight. It wasn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow, after all. :>