[OM2]

How do I buy a Windows XP laptop?
EVERY laptop on sale has Vista on.
(Barring Apple and Linux and other OS's I've never heard of.)

I've bought 2 Vista laptops for other people.
It looks nice... I like the different interface etc.
But: I've found it to be *hungry*.
I need a fast laptop: not one that stalls and sputters and find it hardwork to keep up when lots of applications are launched.

Dual Core 2??
Sorry: I haven't yet experienced the benefit of having 2 processors allowing me to work fast and better - as suggested in the adverts.

XP: doing me fine for now.
(My use if for developing on.)

Where and how can I buy a XP laptop?
No: I dont want to BUY a Vitsa laptop and BUY a copy of XP - I want it to come as standard!

Will I have problems finding the right drivers for the laptop or something...?

Thanks.


OM

[jonmcc33]

I doubt these laptops came with SP1 RC on them. Install that and they become much more responsive. I am running SP1 RC on my main rig and everything is fine. I have Vista Business installed on a Dell D400 laptop (1.8GHz Pentum M, 2GB DDR333) and it's fine too.

But anyway, in regards to your question, Dell offers laptops with Windows XP on them: http://www.betanews.com/article/Dell...ion/1177009159

[uhaligani]

Buy a DEll. They will give you an OS option, including Linux if you wish.

[OM2]

jon

thanks for the reply.
one of the things i did: made sure every possible update was installed.
still same problems of being slow and unresponsive.
i'm seriously thinking of migrating to macs.
i've got a mac laptop: several keyboard and other short cuts are missing... but it's a much better world to be in!

[jonmcc33]

SP1 RC isn't exactly available on Windows Update. It's a release candidate for SP1. I'm sure those laptops have better specs than my Dell D400 that came out in 2003.

[OM2]

aaah... well... i just assumed that if i ran windows update: it would automatically update with the latest needed patches and updates and fixes AND 'sp' packs.
when updating: it downloaded a file (or files) that where at least 100MB - 200MB in size.

it defies logic why the correcting fixing update u refer to wouldn't be installed??

i'm pretty sure on xp: if u have an older machine and u let it updated to its hearts content - it will update to the latest service pack??
(i say this with no concrete proof: just an assumption + experience.)

or maybe it's just microsoft using dumb login that to blame: i.e. not installing the proper service pack...??

where would i get the correct service pack from...?

let me know what u think.

thanks.

[jonmcc33]

Originally Posted by OM2

aaah... well... i just assumed that if i ran windows update: it would automatically update with the latest needed patches and updates and fixes AND 'sp' packs.
when updating: it downloaded a file (or files) that where at least 100MB - 200MB in size.

it defies logic why the correcting fixing update u refer to wouldn't be installed??

No, not at all. For Windows XP the SP3 RC has been available for a month or so and it's not available in Windows Update. It's a release candidate so Microsoft will not force it upon anyone through updates. It is not final either. Go here to read more (and download): http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../bb738089.aspx

[bearone2]

release candidate aka "beta"

[jonmcc33]

Originally Posted by bearone2

release candidate aka "beta"

No, there already was a beta SP1 for Vista (released back in Aug 07). Release candidate (released Dec 07) means that it's something they legitimately would release to the public. So that's why SP1 RC was made openly available for everyone to test out where as beta are strictly controlled in testing. SP1 final is due out at any moment from what I've read lately.

I'm running SP1 RC and I haven't experienced a single problem. Performance, especially in file transfers, has done nothing but make leaps and bounds in improvement. I get 50-60MB/s transfers over gigabit and copying a 700MB file from DVD+R takes less than a minute.

[Bob Cerelli]

OM2,

Most manufacturers, about a year after Vista has been released, are now allowing people to order new computers with XP. It certainly wasn't that way originally. You could only get Vista. That should tell you something right there regarding performance.

Also there really hasn't been much in the way of significant performance increases with SP1. And it is not in final code yet anyway, which leaves a lot unanswered. For example, will there be an RC2? Will you need to uninstall any of the Release Candidates before installing the RTM version? Would you want to uninstall any of the Release Candidates to get rid of the code before installing the RTM version. These are things to consider before blinding installing a pre-release service pack on a machine you rely on.

[TechB]

Originally Posted by jonmcc33

No, there already was a beta SP1 for Vista (released back in Aug 07). Release candidate (released Dec 07) means that it's something they legitimately would release to the public. So that's why SP1 RC was made openly available for everyone to test out where as beta are strictly controlled in testing. SP1 final is due out at any moment from what I've read lately.

A Release Candidate is a beta and shouldn't be installed on anything except a test machine. It will have to be unistalled when the RTM release comes out. It turns your copy of Vista into an evaluation version unless you uninstall it.

[TechB]

Most low priced laptops come with a load of crapware on them. Uninstall the crapware and as long as the laptop is capable of running Vista the problems will usually go away. Both Acer and Dell sell models with XP. They have the same crapware problems.

[Bob Cerelli]

Originally Posted by TechB

A Release Candidate is a beta and shouldn't be installed on anything except a test machine. It will have to be unistalled when the RTM release comes out. It turns your copy of Vista into an evaluation version unless you uninstall it.

Exactly. And that addresses part of my concerns posted earlier. So have, while there are posts about file transfer rates being made:

1. We don't know if that is any better than it was before SP1 was installed
2. We don't know if it is any better than XP would have been
3. It is just a number with no relation to increase or decrease in performance

[valis]

fwiw, we ran into the same problem, ended up buying an hp laptop from ebay with xp preinstalled. That was a year ago, works fine. Obviously didn't come with the disk, but may be an option you want to explore.

[Bob Cerelli]

Fortunately, due to so many similar requests from the major manufacturers, they are actually now allowing you to order computers with XP rather than Vista. Pretty unusual to say the least. For example, when XP was released, you certainly couldn't easily order a computer with Win98 on it a year later.