Tech Vista

Depends on the buid and how you have set it up. We've designed and run custom embedded, data acquisition systems with both Linux (most flavors) and Windows (98/2000/XP) - either one running from a CF card or flash media. Just depends on how set it up and what you want the OS to do.

yah... i read about that... ill wait around 2 years till either this cpu dies or im lagging way behind cpu wise...

Just because you can run it doesn't mean it will be quick. I found ubuntu 8.04 booting up slower, loading applications slower, and just generally alot slower than running XP on the same computer.

if you are dual booting an OS then your load times will be slower.

resource hog means its hogging your resources. if i can load ubuntu on a computer that has 128megs of ram and an integrated card from 5 years ago that doesnt mean its a hog at all. vista requires you to have 512mbs of ram and 128mb video card...minimum. thats resource hogging.

a little over a year ago i bought two laptops from dell and was looking to get xp on both, but they didn't offer that option on the ones i bought. in the end vista "knocks on wood" has been fine. startup is longer than xp if connected to internet, but if i don't have it connected it starts up ok. one thing i don't like is how it shows the program list. i like how it does it in xp. the other problem is drivers with printers and other old peripherals. my main computer that i network everything off of is running xp so that i can keep everything run on that.

yes vista runs solid on my laptop..just takes getting used to. its really solid if your computer can handle

vortex is aliiiiiiiiiiiiiive!!!!!

same... how do you get rid of the "accept/deny" thing?

It's under the control panel. I can't remember exactly where. Just google it.

I want an x64 browser that supports flash and other plugins! I would use IE64 but stupid adobe doesn't like x64. Firefox won't develop FFx64 because of said plugins and of n00bs freaking out.

The Aero function is the transparent glass look and nicer visualizations. The gadgets are for the windows sidebar where you can put like weather, a clock, calendar, and other nifty things. I personally don't use it but I know alot of people who do.

As for the memory, it does make a difference under certain conditions.
If you are using x86, then 4gb will be useless to you as the most you can possibly hit is 3.5gb due to x86 limitations.
If you are using x64, then 4gb may come in handy depending on what software you run. Don't remember exactly where x64 maxes out in memory but I know Vista Ultimate x64 can handle more memory than Home Premium x64, which is the stupidest thing I ever heard of.

You have very nice specifications, you will love Vista with those specs. They are pretty close to mine, don't know how the 3650 stacks up against the 8600m GT though. You have a 17" as well lol, I'm getting sick of my 15.4", it's too big. At first I thought it would be too small, but carrying this thing to class and what not, it sucks. It's heavy, and really big. I want a netbook lol.

i love my vista

Its actually pretty close. The 8600 will perform better with certain games though. However, the battery life will be better with 3650 = better power efficiency = less heat... that is when you're fully utilizing the video performance.

i have dual HD 4650

Yeah the stupid 8400/8600m's have heat issues. Regardless I don't play any games except for guitar hero 3. My laptop is usually always plugged in too so yeah.

Not in a laptop.

who said i have a laptop..

Dual HD 4650's is nothing to brag about in a desktop. Now dual GTX 280's, that is a different story. I plan on going for one GTX 280 for my next build. Don't need two as I don't play games.