Windows XP vs. Windows Vista vs. Windows 7

The information compiled below was gathered from hands on experience repairing 50-100 laptops per month. We hope this information is helpful when planning your purchase, however remember that it is always ‘buyer beware’.

Windows XP

No doubt for the last 10 years it has been the most popular operating system for PC's.
Offers good balance between performance and good visual interface.

Stability

Very reliable and stable. Some Device drivers are a bit tricky to install and might cause Blue Screen of Death errors.

Security

Like any other Windows version highly open on virus infection usually when using the integrated internet explorer.

Speed

Very light and doesn't need a lot of computer power to run it fast. It will work fine on computers with only 512mb or 1gb of RAM.

Problems

Naturally doesn't support wide range of plug and play devices
Some drivers a bit tricky to install
windows installation is not naturally supported for sata Hard drives and requires some technical skills

Bottom Line

Ideal for people that are not tempted by the visual effects and interface of Vista and Windows 7 but want to get the best speed from their machine. Only choice for computers older than 3-4 years.
Always use in conjunction with a good anti virus like MalwareBytes

Windows Vista

Released 7 years after XP , but expectation has not been covered. Visually improved , but with some major speed and stability problems.

Stability

Microsoft has done some effort to improve the self recovery functions, but in practice when a problem occurs the recovery fails on most occasions. Some updates or software incompatibility will cause the very popular "Vista Black Screen of Death KSOD" explained here. so the bottom line is that stability is not one of the main improvements. Automatic Device Drivers Installation has been significantly improved and in practice any device connected to it will either install without problems or running the windows update will find and install it for you.

Security

Again some effort has been done to improve the security, by implementing some user rights management , but at the end it is rather annoying with many dialog warnings without any real security improvement. MalwareBytes is essential for good protection.

Speed

To run at decent speed you need a laptop with at least 2-3Gb of ram and a Core Duo (not Celeron) Processor of 2Ghz or more. Even than after installing few applications might decrease your computers significantly.If you want speed go for XP or windows 7 if your computer supports it.

Problems

"Vista Black Screen of Death KSOD" explained here
Need a decent Computer to run it smooth.
Slow Loading Time
Some Internet Network Problem when the network cannot be identified it will prevent internet access

Bottom Line

Vista looks nice with a new and shiny outfit, but needed great improvement on some main points like speed and stability, so only after a year the fixed version called windows 7 was released. The only great improvement is the automatic device drivers installation. almost any popular Web cam, Wifi card etc. will be installed automatically from the plug and play function without any need for installation discs or google search.
Another significant change over Windows XP is the search functionality. The search speed of vista is great and it will not only search for files (documents , pictures , videos. etc) , but also computer components like the control panel , add and remove programs , power settings and many more. One thing you might find a problem is if you are trying to find a particular file of a certain size and type which is rather confusing in the search options.

Windows 7

Release only 1 year after Vista this is only a fixed windows vista version with better speed and stability, so for most people XP to Windows 7 is the most reasonable upgrade.

Stability

Doesn't suffer from the Vista Black Screen of death KSOD, but strange enough programs fully compatible with Windows Vista will not work very stable on Windows 7. Stability has been definitely improved, so now it is up to software developers to update their software with a Windows 7 Stable versions.

Security

No improvement Here at all over Vista , but a lot less Dialogs and warnings about the Users Security Management.

Speed

This is one of the main vast improvement over Vista. A computer with only 1-2Gb will work with usable speed and will load in few minutes. They have achieved this by removing some non essential start up processes from loading on boot up.

Problems

Missing DVD due to a corrupted drivers is the only problem that has been inherited from windows Vista. All other issues has been cleaned out.

Bottom Line

Same fast and improved search functionality like vista , but still confusing for finding files of a certain size and type. Doesn't require very expensive computer to run normally and you benefit from the nice Aero windows , menus and transparent effects. Requires quite a bit of storage space, but these days most modern computer have allot more than need for a normal home user.

Posted: July 7, 2011