Desktop Computer Packages

Buying a PC for parents. Will have an intel core 2 duo processor. Should I get them XP or Vista?

Will be a cheap-ish PC (intel core 2 processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, DVD+/-RW) etc. They will probably only use it for email/internet, uploading and viewing pictures, and basic office applications. No gaming. Would Vista be best to get them now and for long term, or XP. Need it to be futureproof etc. They'll probably only do bare minimum of upgrades on PC if at all. Is 1GB of RAM enough? Need to keep price of PC down, but don't want it to struggle. Price of XP and Vista is the same.

Public Comments

1. Vista has a lot of glitches ...also security issues ....WinXP service pack 2 is much better ..at least right now ..... though if you want futureproof ...then go for Vista (you can even upgrade later)
2. i would get them xp. i know alot of people tht dont get on with vista
3. I suggest you get Windows Vista, so it will be futureproof. With a specification like the one you mentioned, Vista should be able to operate quite well. I don't have any experience of running Vista though. But I do think you could do with a bit more RAM? However I am sure 1GB is fine for office applications running under Vista.
4. I would recommend xp because vista still has a lot of glitches becuase it is new .
5. Vista easier to use, most of the security and pro stuff are automated so its harder to mess up so they call you less to say "there is something wrong with the computer you got us" headache free - get vista
6. I would get vista as a few years down the road xp will slowly fall behind. As your parents are probably going to stay with the PC for sometime instead of upgrading from year to year, it might as well be the latest. Its good value for money. An example - I got my elderly parents a PC with xp some five years ago. It was state of the art at the time. They are still using it. The same will happen with vista. Five years down the road it will be still good.
7. well since Vista has a hard time with capability with other programs, I would have to say XP PRO. I have it on my laptop and I am able to all the basic things and more. But if you do decide on vista , go the step up from Vista basic. Cause then if they want to fax or receive a fax, they can. The Vista basic will NOT allow you to do fax. Also if you do go Vista, a program that will not run, just have it run the program as administrator. That will will work almost all the time. I have Vista basic on my desk top and I do that when a program will not run. I have had minimal probs with Vista. Hope this helps.
8. You answered your own question, if you want it to be future proof it has to have Vista. I've had Vista since it came out and find it excellent and have had no problems at all.
9. well i recently just purchased a new computer and unless you are building it yourself or having it built for you... it is almost impossible to get the pc with anything but VISTA. I have read all the critiques on Vista and how a lot of people say it is crap and they have problems, but I am a power user and have not had any problems (yet). just a note - also go to the book store and purchase a book on vista that is easy for you and your parents to understand. This will help you alot. Also be aware that the new excel, word etc all have different looks and feels to them now - with vista (especially excel). i kinda like vista...but that again is just me. good luck
10. I'm a "silver surfer" my daughter built my new PC 4 months ago. 2 gig of ram 250 gig hard drive, and I have just purchased a new external portable 500 gig to take music to pals. and backup.- we oldies like music too you know! You can download opera too - even if we don't go in of MP3's. go for Vista. We don't like change too well. Get them vista now and there will be no hassle later.
11. go XP Home... you dont need XP Professional, you can get OEM versions for around £30..50 why? its older, its more stable, it can do more with less resources if you parents are having a PC thrust on them for Internet & commercial software (eg email, word processing etc....) then a XP based machine will run faster and last longer than the Vista machine which will require more resources right now. You pay a lot in hardware terms for those glossy slick features that abound in Vista The only fly in the ointment is that within the next few years XP will no longer be supported by Microsoft, so the flow of security patches may dry up. I'm not to sure how good XP is at handling dual core processors.. ie whether it will make full use of dual core.. so it may make more sense to look at a high end monoltihtic processor. So it comes down to how much use you think your parents will make of it. if they plan on using it a great deal then vista makes sense, alternatively if its tentative use then Id suggest go XP, and consider changing to vista in a few years, once the software has bedded down (reading working properly, bear in mind its not jsutMicrosoft but all other manufacturers of 'stuff' that is in the PC video drivers, SUB equipmenmt etc...), the hardware required to support it becomes cheap enough.
12. The specification you describe should be adequate for their needs. I would also think about a printer, webcam, and (if you want to go the whole hog) an external backup device, with software to automate backups, but you could train them to cut CD's/DVD's I guess. XP or Vista should both be fine - they are pretty similar in many ways, but be careful that your peripherals have drivers under Vista. A good security package (firewall, virus checker, adware checker, etc) is essential. The 2-core processor is probably overkill. 1GB of RAM should be fine.
13. Don't underestimate your parents! Haven't you ever heard of the 'Silver Surfers'? Buy the best you can afford with as much RAM as possible for the money - older people often get into all sorts of 'odd' things. It will not take them long to realise that, for instance, they can finally get around to doing that family tree that all the rest of the family have been nagging about for years and that it will be a whole lot easier using the machine; that they can keep in contact with old friends who have moved away much more easily and exchange photos etc. I would also recommend that you set up something like Windows Live Messenger for them - it makes it fun to be able to see and talk live to grandchildren etc.
14. Since you have 1GB of ram you qualify for the minimum requirement for installing Vista. and since the PC won't be used for gaming AMD is not a must have.(But of course AMD will be both cheaper and faster in the Graphics department). If you are really interested in keeping the price down and performance high do think of AMD Duo Or even the latest..Quad
15. my personal recommendation is XP, i am working with both systems now and i feel that Vista still has some problems, maybe it's because i am used to XP, i am not sure, but if the computer is for someone who is not familiar with computing then XP is certainly easier to get on with. i understand that we are going to continue to get support from microsoft for XP for some years to come so there shouldn't be a problem there. the system you describe should be fine for XP especially as you say that your parents won't do much upgrading, i doubt if this set up will struggle at all. take care and good luck.
16. Vista undoubtedly still has initial teething troubles, but I think you will find that it is pretty difficult to get any new computer still with XP, unless PC World and the like are still doing special deals on clearing out old stock. I'd go for Vista though because it will improve and you have to look to the future, not backwards.