I get this question frequently due to the bad press flying around on Windows Vista, and the answer is really quite simple. It depends on a few critical circumstances of how you use your computer.

First, Windows Vista is not strictly bad, despite the negative criticism. The possible problems come down to a few key areas. First, there are compatibility issues with Windows Vista for some older programs, where they just won't install and run under Windows Vista without crippling the Vista security features - no guarantee this will even work. Secondly, Windows Vista has a higher level of hardware requirements for acceptable performance, so Windows XP will out-perform Windows Vista on a similarly-spec'd system. Lastly, there are things that have changed in the "how you do things" department in Windows Vista, like accessing various system setting screens.

So, if you have any old programs that you depend upon in critical ways, maybe for important business functionality, be prepared to purchase updated versions that work in Windows Vista. Windows XP would probably alleviate this problem, allowing you to continue using existing software applications. Similarly, older printers or scanners (and even some newer devices) may not work with Windows Vista because an updated "device driver" for Windows Vista may not be available. You'll need to verify that you can use your old peripherals under Windows Vista or be prepared to purchase new peripherals if they don't work on Windows Vista. If you're not prepared for these difficulties, then you may be better off with Windows XP.

Secondly, recognize that you may need to spend more money to get more powerful hardware in order to be happy with the performance of a Windows Vista system. If you're purchasing an entry-level PC with minimal hardware, it may struggle under the increased "weight" of Windows Vista. In this case, you may be happier with Windows XP on a cheaper system. However, if you're opting for a more powerful computer, you may not notice any negative performance issues by using Windows Vista.

Lastly, be prepared to re-learn some things you've learned in Windows XP when you move to Windows Vista. Many functional system screens that used to be grouped together must now be accessed through different menu or button clicks. There's also a key difference in the "shutdown" behavior of Vista which is not obvious - the default shutdown selection saves the current system state to be loaded back on the next power up process. This means that the system never experiences a true power off and power on from scratch unless you specifically select the "Turn Off" option during shutdown. If you don't mind relearning some things, Windows Vista has some nice new features, but if you tend to avoid change, you may be happier with the familiar functionality of Windows XP.

Of course, one major consideration is that Windows XP has been around for quite a while, so if you're concerned about long-term support for your operating system, you should give Windows Vista some strong consideration. However, if any of the key points mentioned here make you nervous, then consider locating a new system that either comes with Windows XP installed or that provides a Windows XP installation option (they call this an XP downgrade license).

If you still don't know which way to go, feel free to contact PC Backup at (937) 478-7624 or send us an inquiry through the Contact Us page on this site. We'll be happy to help you sort out the choices.