Making the Switch from XP to Vista

These are the questions that popped up into my mind from the very moment I had my first encounter with Microsoft's new operating system: 'Why should I use Vista instead of XP?' 'Is there something that makes it better than the previous Microsoft OS?'

Until a few days ago, I have never wanted to even try to get an answer to these questions, mainly because I got used to Vista, using it all day long at the job. However, just yesterday they hit me again so I decided that I should really explore this matter to find those - still - mysterious reasons to give up on XP and get me a brand new copy of Vista for my home PC.

Just to have a starting point, let's see what is Microsoft's attitude towards Vista and XP at the moment. The Redmond-based Company is embracing Vista as the new kid on the block, with the good looks and everything necessary to make everyone love it.

When it comes to talking about XP, Microsoft has one single thing to say (or at least suggest): XP is still going to get support from them at least until 2012. And think about it: XP might not be the best-looking in the OS party but, if you know what you're doing and how to do it, it is very easy to make it look better than any other "top model" OS out there. The newly beautified XP might look even better than Vista does and, the thing that makes me wonder if a switch between them is really worth it, is the fact that it also consumes fewer resources.

Security wise, although Microsoft has spread the word as often as it could that Vista is the most secure OS of its time, XP surely is better for the time being if you consider the time and efforts that Microsoft has put into fixing all the bugs that came with XP's first release. I don't know how long it will be until Vista will be the a safer OS than XP is, but I bet a lot of time will pass until that happens.

When it comes to the usability factor, many of the users say Vista is the best Microsoft OS released until now mainly because its interface seems to make all the things be exactly where you want them to be. After using Vista for a few months I totally agree with what they are saying, but (another "but") I can't help remembering how it was the first time I encountered Vista's friendly interface.

It made a mess of all the knowledge I got about Windows XP and I felt quite disturbed of the fact that none of the things I knew where in the same place. Therefore, my efficiency had suddenly dropped for quite a few days and then I knew Vista's learning curve will never beat that of XP. And this is another reason I won't get Vista on my home PC although now I'm pretty sure I know my way around when I have to deal with it.

It's not that I'm against evolution (be it technological, animal or OS-related) but, rounding up all the of the above, I don't consider that a switch between XP and Vista is in my plans in the near future (that's talking about my home computer, because at work I'm already into … "the evolution"). This is because, from what I've learned so far using Vista, you won't be missing anything if you'll decide to go on using XP.

There is one thing that you might miss though: a trip to the hardware store to buy more RAM memory so that your PC can deal with the Vista "resource eating monster" :); oh…and the sticker with "Vista capable" on its case.