Vista Ultimate or Vista Business 32

[chsu74]

Hello,

Which OS is better? I am going to pick up a refurbished machine and have these two choices? Since I am going to buy the XP downgrade disk and will proably go back to Vista at some point, which one would be the better Vista version to go back to?

TIA

[GomJabbar]

Ultimate has everything Vista offers. Business is missing some of the entertainment features.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/window ... fault.aspx

[ssd_thinkpad]

Business Vista does not have Bitlocker hdd encryption.

[chsu74]

Thanks for all the replies. It is very informative. Why do I find refurb machines usually come with 2BG RAM on Ultimate OS vs 3 or 4GB on the Business 32s?

[ssd_thinkpad]

That is something I do not know. As much as I know, having more than 2 gb for basic tasks like internet surfing and word processing is not needed at all. I do not see a speed difference with vista having 1 gb ram or 2 gb ram for basic tasks. Vista 32 bit is supported by all applications. The 64 bit version is only mostly compatible to applications.

[Marin85]

Why do I find refurb machines usually come with 2GB RAM on Ultimate OS vs 3 or 4GB on the Business 32s?

I would rather say this is a pure coincidence, though one could always speculate as to some possible reasons. I could think of a few points:

1. Vista Ultimate is so to speak the luxury edition of Windows Vista (for obvious reasons). For most of the features that Ultimate adds to the Business edition there are excellent substitutes on the software market that even do their job probably much better than those Vista Ultimate built-in components. Hence, regardless of the fact that the Ultimate edition is the luxury one among all Vista editions, it may be considered as the cheap substitute of some professional software. (IMO very unlikely reason though).

2. Installing Vista Ultimate over any other edition of Vista (or XP) on a machine with "only" 2 GBs of system memory (cet. par.) is a way for Lenovo to add value to this machine for the potential customer. Alternatively, taking out 1 or 2 GBs module from a machine with Vista Ultimate installed and respectively 3 or 4 GBs of RAM is a way to save. Adding 1 or 2 GBs of RAM to a machine with Vista Business and 2 GBs of RAM installed is similarly a way to add value to that machine for any future customers.

3. Considering (1), having a T6x with Vista Ultimate and 2 GBs of RAM is IMO somewhat unusual choice for the business. It would indicate some specific needs of that particular business (the widest edition of Windows OS, but no need to max out hardware) for whatever reasons. There might have been some large Lenovo customer with those very specific needs, which would explain the amount of such configurations.

etc...

Cheers,

Marin

EDIT:typos...

[GomJabbar]

Money spent on more than 2GB is often wasted. Especially with 32-bit OS's, as they cannot deal with more than 4GB. Even then, much of the last GB is not available (in a 4GB system).

Ask Dan: What's with the 3Gb memory barrier?

[Marin85]

Money spent on more than 2GB is often wasted. Especially with 32-bit OS's, as they cannot deal with more than 4GB. Even then, much of the last GB is not available (in a 4GB system).

Ideed, that´s why the OP´s observation is even more surprising:
1. Folks who wouldn´t waste money for additional RAM, but are willing to pay for the overpriced Ultimate edition of Vista.
2. Machines with 3-4 GBs of system memory come with Vista Business 32-bit installed.
3. One can always upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit (on 64-bit capable machines) free of charge (provided one has the corresponding installation media).

[archer6]

I do believe that often the "more is better" mentality causes some people to buy more than they need, or can actually use. Whether it be ram memory, or the choice of processors, or the entire computer for that matter. I've always believed that we sell computers incorrectly here in the US. Instead of asking a potential owner what they are going to use the computer for, the marketing people push power, speed, and more of everything on the consumer. Today's machines are so powerful that many people use only a small fraction of it's capabilities. Thus my advice to new users, or those who are uncertain is to identify your needs first, then buy accordingly.
.
Cheers...

[chsu74]

Thanks for all the replies. I think Business 32 is the way to go and will get aftermarket software for entertainment bling!

US consumers have gotten used to getting used to the notion that newer, faster or bigger/smaller is better. It is now part of the culture unfortunately. Things like:

1. Live in a bigger house/space than you need.
2. Food portion sold/served more than you can actually eat in one meal.
3. Have more than one car.
4. Have more than one computer. (guilty as charged)

I don't want to turn this thread into a "how excessive US consumers are" but it is a good point.

[ssd_thinkpad]

I forgot to mention that in Vista Ultimate you can download all available languages for Vista and chose one of them as your main Vista language. I think with Vista Business there are no such options in Windows update.

[dstrauss]

I don't think you mentioned which ThinkPad you were getting. If it has a Santa Rosa chipset, or better, it can access 4-8gb with a 64-bit OS. I just bought (before they closed out) an x61s with Vista Business 64-bit SP1 and it runs like a top (knock on wood) even when using sleep mode all the time and hot docking/undocking between office and home. I know some don't think 4gb RAM is useful, but it sure has been a speed improvement particularly if you use sleep mode and don't shut down all the time.

[chsu74]

Hi! Its a X301. I bought two of them. One for a business partner and another for me. One is a Vista Business 32 and the other is XP. I guess I would like to have gotten an Ultimate for to switch languages with ease but XP is more suitable for me. I was thinking down the road whcih recovery disk would be more valuable to have...

[Marin85]

I guess I would like to have gotten an Ultimate for to switch languages with ease but XP is more suitable for me.

You can switch languages with any windows. What b]ssd_thinkpad[/b] was referring to, is that Vista Ultimate offers the possibility to change the OS language, i.e. the language that menus, notifications, prompts, control panel items etc are displayed in. Also, these changes cannot be done on the fly, it requires installation and rebooting.

Cheers,

Marin

[ssd_thinkpad]

You can switch languages with any windows. What ssd_thinkpad was referring to, is that Vista Ultimate offers the possibility to change the OS language, i.e. the language that menus, notifications, prompts, control panel items etc are displayed in. Also, these changes cannot be done on the fly, it requires installation and rebooting.

That's right, I just choose one of the many languages in windows update (for example: french) and then set my complete windows to be french. It is then a completely french windows vista. With other words: When having windows vista ultimate, it doesn't matter if it is a french, english or chinese windows vista ultimate. I agree, most people do not change their main os language too often within a usual os lifetime of few years

[archer6]

I was thinking down the road which recovery disk would be more valuable to have...

When your new ThinkPad arrives you can choose to do what I do with every new ThinkPad I buy. I have blank disks ready, and after the first boot & OS setup I go to Start / All Programs / Thinkvantage / Create Recovery Media. I burn the recovery disks and I'm set. In your case you will receive the Vista media with the computer. Now you have both.
.
Cheers...

[chsu74]

I just received my 2nd X301 and it came with XP loaded but purchased it without an Optical Drive. I like the Ultrathin DVD burner and therefore, Iwill return this and buy another one.

Question is: If I create recovery disks with this XP loaded machine, is the recovery partition also in XP or is it in Vista Business? Or is it a "virtual install of XP in a different partition" that I have read in other threads? How do I check?

The Discs that came with the computer are Vista Business 32 recovery discs.

TIA

[archer6]

<snip>Question is: If I create recovery disks with this XP loaded machine, is the recovery partition also in XP or is it in Vista Business? Or is it a "virtual install of XP in a different partition" that I have read in other threads? The Discs that came with the computer are Vista Business 32 recovery discs.

I can assure you that the rescue and recovery (hidden) partition on your ThinkPad is XP. It's an exact image of what you are using now. It is there so in the event of that you need to restore the OS to it's original "out of the box" state, you simply bootup, or restart and the tap the F11 key repeatedly until you see the white horizontal progress bar moving across the bottom of the display as it activates the rescue and recovery utility. Another way to evoke it is to press the blue ThinkVantage button just after the first splash screen upon startup. Then follow the prompts to restore your system.

To make your XP recovery discs. Have some blanks handy and go to Start / All Programs / ThinkVantage / Create Recovery Media. This will allow you to burn just one copy of the disks for use anytime you need them in the event that you have a need to replace the hard drive.

Thus, you have both Operating Systems at your disposal, and your EULA allows you to choose just one to run on your ThinkPad. If you look at the Microsoft COA label on the bottom of the computer it is entitled "Vista". And the activation code will work for either of the OS's that came with _your_ computer only.

Cheers...

[chsu74]

Update:
I received the X301 with XP loaded (second one sent) the other day and discovered that it had no ultrathin DVD player. I must had a brain fart when ordering and forgot to double check the specs. The good news is that I was able to create a set of XP recovery discs with an USB external burner.

I used the recovery disk to load my first X301 with XP last night and it worked like a charm. Lenovo will email you an UPS return label and waive a restocking fee if you replace the item you are returning with another order. I just saved myself $$ on purchasing a downgrade XP disc set and got to learn more about these machines!

Thank you all kindly for your help and suggestions.