Future OS: Vista, new XP, or ?? after June '08

[antelope]

Rumor from my IT consultant is that MS may effectively kill Vista and fall back to XP (I could also see them releasing a new OS instead - if it is ready). It's not like he is any more in the loop than thousand of other MS software experts so I figure there are at least a few people in the forum who could offer their own opinions on the subject.

I am starting to look at replacement options for my T42 and having some idea of the future OS would be helpful. Given a lot of CAD work I would like to stay XP compared to Vista, but if XP is really dead after June then maybe I need to get a new machine before then.

Related: Do you think Lenovo is coordinating release of a new/improved T-series with a new MS OS? Probably wishful thinking on my part.

Unrelated, but in case you have an opinion (I'll post this elsewhere in the forum at some point): good small notebook for CAD, BIM, 3D work? It is almost always docked and travels to/from the office so small is good. 14" 4:3 form factor preferred, but not much out there anymore with good dedicated graphics. I'm only working on small projects so the files are not huge.

[ashleys]

but if XP is really dead after June

It will be alive and kicking long after that.
It enters extended support in April 2009 and that will run until April 2014.

The June 2008 is the date when MS will stop retail availibility.

[antelope]

Here is an article passed along to me on this subject.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20 ... utoff.html

Dell and Lenovo will keep providing XP Pro under downgrade rights. Dell will install it for the customer and ship the disc for XP Pro and Vista Ultimate or Business, while Lenovo will simply provide a backup recovery CD with XP Pro.

[bill bolton]

so I figure there are at least a few people in the forum who could offer their own opinions on the subject.

Microsoft are not going to kill Vista, whatever else happens. There are too many other things going on for Microsoft which depend on functionality which XP technology based platforms are just not able to realistically support.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[antelope]

"Kill" was probably too strong a word and inappropriate. How about quickly supercede to the best of their abilities?

When I look at the list of new AutoDesk programs that are applicable to what I do, none of them suggest using Vista as a platform. To me that suggests a major problem with Vista in the commercial design and engineering market.

[o1001010]

vista isn't going away. because it give microsft less grief from the drm point of point. less law suits from hollywood studios.

windows server 2008 is pretty big thing, and it works with vista

[rbena]

so I figure there are at least a few people in the forum who could offer their own opinions on the subject.

Microsoft are not going to kill Vista, whatever else happens.

I agree. Too much reputation at stake here. Vista will just die a slow natural death, through lack of uptake. Some OS's catch on - like XP, and others don't - like WinME, and very likely, Vista - an OS written more for the supplier than the user - a novel approach that hopefully won't be repeated in the next OS.

[Kyocera]

Antelope, just FYI, I have been running Vista Business SP1 on my T42 and it runs great, speed is right there with XPp, I have not done benchmarks but, for what I do on a daily basis I can use either OS and be perfectly happy

[antelope]

Kyocera - Thanks for the reassurance. I think I'm headed to XP Pro again to be on the safe side of the equation with regard to the CAD-type programs I'll be running on my next TP. My IT guy who does a lot of consulting to architectural firms says to stay away from Vista for now. Also, from what I've seen and read about it, I think I can live without the new features in Vista for a couple more years at which point I'll re-evaluate. I'm happy to hear it is working out for you though and thanks for the feedback.

[sktn77a]

Maybe time for a new IT consultant! Vista isn't going anywhere - it would be business suicide for Microsoft to replace it with XP! I remember sticking with Win98/SE for 2 years after XP originally emerged - it was only the purchase of new computers wich came with XP pre-installed that got me to change (didn't downgrade these as hardware drivers for 98 were basically unavailable). However, I have downgraded my most recent purchases to XP until Microsoft gets it's act together on VISTA (took quite a while to find hardware drivers for my HP desktop - HP/Compaq don't support ANY OS downgrades in their conmsumer division). Unfortunately, users have tolerated buggy operating systems from Microsoft for years and this (along with lack of competition) has taken away any incentive for them to change!

[Kyocera]

safe side of the equation with regard to the CAD-type programs I'll be running on my next TP

For CAD, (unless you had descrete graphics) I too would stick with XP. I don't run any thing near that intensive. For your work you definately want a system that will perform.

[mattbiernat]

maybe the future of Vista is Windows 7.... or maybe the lack of it

[rbena]

Maybe time for a new IT consultant! Vista isn't going anywhere - it would be business suicide for Microsoft to replace it with XP!

It will be interesting to see in a few years if Vista takes hold like XP, and becomes the main OS until Windows 7.

Right now, that doesn't look to be the case, but who knows? Definitely something of interest to watch, but no need to switch to for users who maintain other options.

BTW, this is a great thread!