XP or 7?

[xmf]

I'm gearing up for a new system and I'm not sure whether to buy 7 or stick with XP.

I'm not a gamer (though I may occasionally install an old game or venture out for a new one), nor am I obsessed with syncing smart devices and the like (I hear 7 is good for that).

The system will be used primarily for basic tasks such as internet, word proc., playing music, movies, etc.

I quite enjoy my XP installs (currently using XP Pro) - they feel very streamlined and fairly no-nonsense for a Windows install.

I'm committed to sticking with Windows for now.

Would I be missing out on performance or the maximizing of some great new hardware if I stick with XP?

Flashy looks, etc. I don't really care about (although I've seen some really nice custom desktops running 7).

TIA

[dencorso]

If you can afford 7 Ultimate and XP Pro, I'd say you should create a double boot machine, especially in case you go with the hardware CoffeeFiend suggested you. Why not have the best of both worlds?

[xmf]

If you can afford 7 Ultimate and XP Pro, I'd say you should create a double boot machine, especially in case you go with the hardware CoffeeFiend suggested you. Why not have the best of both worlds?

Interesting. Poking around online I found that XP won't support more than 3.xx gb of RAM. That's pretty much a deal killer right there (I think).

Also, why go 7 ultimate (vs 7 Pro) when the only differences are language support and bitlocker (which I won't use)? Am I missing something?

Edited May 31, 2011 by xmf

[dencorso]

Neither 7 Ultimate x86 will.

For that you need a x64 OS. Both 7 Ultimate and XP have x64 versions, which do support >> 3 GiB

[xmf]

Neither 7 Ultimate x86 will.

For that you need a x64 OS. Both 7 Ultimate and XP have x64 versions, which do support >> 3 GiB

Thanks for the explanation. So I'll definitely be buying a new OS then. Now, which to choose...

[Guest]

dencorso is correct on the memory support issue.

If you want XP Mode in Windows 7, you'll need at least at least the Professional edition. Wikipedia has a general breakdown of features and target demographics.

[xmf]

dencorso is correct on the memory support issue.

If you want XP Mode in Windows 7, you'll need at least at least the Professional edition. Wikipedia has a general breakdown of features and target demographics.

Thanks, I can't (for me) see any reasons to go for 7 Ult. - so it's going to be either XP Pro 64 or 7 Pro 64.

[MagicAndre1981]

if you don't need MUIs, Bitllocker, DirectAccess or VHD boot and other things you can buy the Win7 x64 Prof edition.

[Guest]

If you don't need XP Mode then you can settle for Home Premium—there's always VirtualBox if you want to use XP (provided you have a spare XP CD)..

And if you don't want the eye candy or Media Center then Home Basic should suffice.

[xmf]

Do you all use the VHD feature? I could see myself potentially using that alot. It's like a sandbox, isn't it?

[MagicAndre1981]

VHD is not a sandbox. Here is a topic about it:

Instead of installing Windows to a partition on your HDD you install it into a VHD and boot from it. This feature is only part of Enterprise/Ultimate and all Server Editions.

[jaclaz]

Just for the record, booting from a VHD (or from a dd like image) is also possible with third party tools.

Some freeware some shareware/commercial.

And it is possible for XP too.

http://reboot.pro/9830/

http://reboot.pro/13438/

jaclaz

[MagicAndre1981]

yes, but vboot doesn't really work. It crashes so often and damages the VHDs. I gave it up to use the tool.

[jaclaz]

yes, but vboot doesn't really work. It crashes so often and damages the VHDs. I gave it up to use the tool.

Sure, life is tough .

Though what would you expect from experimental things you can have for free?

As soon as vboot will work, it will become a Commercial program, anyway.

wimb's approach does work and is surprisingly stable - at least for me and using XP.

jaclaz

[Tarun]

Totally go with Windows 7.

Also, I added a poll for you too to help get some more ideas.