20 Reasons why Vista is better than XP

Before I list how much better Vista is let me say one thing. On many systems Win95 would work much faster than XP. Would you go back to Win95? No, I didnt think so......When you have used Vista on a well specified PC you would never want to go back to XP.

The best points for me in Vista Ultimate are :

1. The desktop search, indexer service. This is a godsend. Being able to find any one of my thousands of files or emails within seconds is fantastic. I know google and others have provided this but to have it so closley integrated into the file system is superb. With search results displayed so that different sorts of files can be found easily such as emails, photos, documents etc.

2. The new start menu. No longer have to trawl through start menu items looking for a program. Just type it ’s name and it’s there. Type it ’s name and enter and it’s launched. A great time saver. It will even launch a typed website name once it is in your favourites. For instance type `bbc news’ in the start menu and press enter and it opens your default browser and goes to the BBC news website designated in your favourites list.

3. The integrated file viewer within the file system. This is another great plus point. I can now browse pdf’s, docs, Videos, photos and other file extensions within the file system. Even multiple page pdfs can be browsed without having to open a seperate window. The desktop search system also allows this browsing and also allows searched emails to be browsed within the search window without needing to open seperate windows. This integration has finally persuaded me to go to a semi paperless office. I scan all non legally required docs in and then shred the original.

4. Faster lauching of programs. No hanging about anymore. With prefetch, Vista loads commonly used programs into memory so they are there waiting for you. Quickbooks, which takes an age to open on XP opens within a couple of secs on Vista. Outlook, even with a large email database opens instantly. Word opens so fast if you blink you would miss it. So much better experience.

5. Side bar. Although seen as a memory hog by some, it’s no problem if you start with loads of memory in the first place. There are many useful apps for it. I like Magic Folders which keeps my desktop clean. Just drag a file to it and it puts it into the correct folder depending on it’s extension. Others such as language converters, system info apps and news video feeds add to the experience.

6. Back-up. Vista includes not only the usual back up features but also an image backup as well. The back-up can back up to DVD,CD and network locations. It is also very clever, already knowing file extensions for each type of backup such as docs, video and photos so you dont have to select the individual file types.

7. Under the hood apps. There’s a great selection of tools in Vista for viewing system info etc, much more than in XP. Very comprehensive reports can be generated giving info on all parts of the hardware subsystems and their performance.
8. Network tools. Many more options for network control and media sharing including networked drives etc.

9. Inbuilt support of mobile phones. Didnt have to install any software from my phones vendor. Just plugged it in and it worked straight off and synched immediatley and has been rock solid ever since.. Think I downloaded just one update for this to enable some more up to date functions.

10. Vista starts up quickly and shuts down even quicker.

11. Stability. Vista is rock solid. Only dreamscape gives it problems and as thats a fairly new add on its to be expected and obviously is optional to run. Games run fine and have less stability problems. The new security features mean it's much more difficult for nasty spyware to install itself.

12. Video tools. No need to install a third party app for mpeg2 playback. vista now has it's own. Also included is Vista Movie Maker and DVD Maker to edit and author movies for DVD or Youtube etc. Add effects, tiltes etc etc. All inlcuded and much better than previous offerings. In built snipping tool for screen capture and support for Vdieo capture as well.

13. In built DVD and CD burning software. Burn directly from file system. In built Photo viewer and cataloger like Picassa, where you can edit photos etc.(I prefer Picassa still though)

14. Inbuilt Calendar, Contacts and Windows mail, both a good step up from the XP offerings.

15. Note I have not even mentioned the flashy graphics yet. This is just a minor part of it's appeal.

16. Inbuilt partition manager. You can now resize and create extra partitions from within Vista.

17. Much better `Ease of Use' facilities for the impaired. (comes in handy if your keyboard doesnt work for some reason - you can use the on screen one)

18. Bitlocker Drive encryption with business and Ultimate. Essential for business users to protect sensitive data.

19. Much better organisation of Documents folders, so now Docs, Videos, photos, favourites and downloads are easily accessable. When transferring in your saved docs from old PC hard drive or data disc all docs are transferred to their relevant folders automatically with your approval.

20. A nice set of parental control options to make sure your kids are not doing something they shouldnt. Block sites, programs, set time limits etc..

Yes, Vista has some faults, the Zip facility is very poor but a free download of 7-zip cures this and I am sure SP1 will sort out other minor problems and niggles. The Vista driver database is also now huge so much older hardware can be configured.

If it's a new machine you are buying Vista is the only choice. If upgrading an older machine to Vista then make sure it has a CPU over 2.8GB, get ram up to 2GB or more and add a decent Graphics card 256-512mb+. If the hard drive is ropey replace that as well.

For a new machine I would recommend a Core Duo or Quad system, with 4GB Ram (about 3.4GB usuable in 32bit), or more if going 64bit. A 512MB+Graphics card, a raid setup of some sort using two or three drives. Raid 1 or 5 can now be found on modern motherboards. The faster the subsystem the better Vista will perform and as Vista makes quite intensive demands on hard drives then a raid setup can help aleviate these demands somewhat by speeding up all the processes.

Regards

Danep