Vista or XP for professional recording?

Andrew.Glose · #1 07-03-2008, 12:10 AM

I'm in a pickle. I've just picked up this fantastic Vaio laptop, which has Vista. I've been doing some heavy research in the recording area and don't find much of anything positive for Vista, recording wise. I've encountered a few problems since having it, and don't want to run into any problems when I try it out as a means for running a DAW. I've considered buying a macbook, but then again, it's friggin' expensive, and I've already got a killer laptop in my possession.

I'm looking to have a very professional setup within the near future and don't want any of the hassles that Vista could provide.

Andrew

EADG mx · #2 07-03-2008, 12:29 AM

Vista caused me nothing but problems, of course I'm far from an expert.

Barkless Dog · #3 07-03-2008, 05:11 AM

I've heard that Microsoft is already working on a new system since the Vista disaster ASAP.

moomoocajoo · #4 07-03-2008, 05:17 AM

Go for the mac if you can stretch to it - they're just excellent platforms for recording and most other creative/pro applications

It's worth it I swear to you.

fenderhutz · #5 07-03-2008, 05:29 AM

I can tell you I can't even upgrade to Vista in my home studio due to lack of driver and software support for studio hardware.

Muusers · #6 07-03-2008, 05:31 AM

do not, i repeat, DO NOT get Vista, end of 2009 the new OS from windows is released (google for windows 7)

Mon Rominee · #7 07-03-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

I can tell you I can't even upgrade to Vista in my home studio due to lack of driver and software support for studio hardware.

Yup. My brandy-new laptop needed to be upgraded to XP from Vista to run my apps, even tho due dilligence "told me" it was compatible.

I said it before, was temporarily waned, and now shout it louder; (for this application) VISTA SUCKS.

Mon

Philbiker · #8 07-03-2008, 06:56 AM

"Professional" computer for DAW work? Mac.

Vista can work fine. I am using Cakewalk SonarLE with an E-Mu 1212m and it works great. My setup is distinctly amateur though.

Vista is such a breath of fresh air from a UI perspective, I would never go back to XP.

moomoocajoo · #9 07-03-2008, 07:12 AM

Windows XP's GUI > Vista's.

Vista is all over the shop, the design is awful IMO.

**baba** · #10 07-03-2008, 07:27 AM

Unless you want headaches, stick with XP. You've been warned.

**Eric Perry** · #11 07-03-2008, 07:48 AM

As has been said by everyone else, Vista is garbage. I've tried it, and really wanted to like it.

I hate it. Pretty GUI, horrible kernel!

Philbiker · #12 07-03-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moomoocajoo

Windows XP's GUI > Vista's.

Vista is all over the shop, the design is awful IMO.

Wow, I don't know how anyone who has spent time with both OSes can possibly make this comment. Just blows my mind. XP is a mess as far as UI is concerned, Vista is orders of magnitude easier to use.

Andrew.Glose · #13 07-03-2008, 11:17 AM

I love having Vista for the UI. It's more logical to me, the layout of things.

BUT

If It means that I can't set my DAW up like I want, and get it to run smooth, then it's not worth keeping.

And someday, I will get a Macbook Pro. When I have that kind of money...

Off to call Alesis to see if their new Mastercontrol works with Vista... Yay Vista compatibility...

jon118 · #14 07-03-2008, 11:30 AM

Honestly I haven't had a single problem with Vista. It's actually been more stable than XP was when I used it, and I didn't get a computer with XP until after SP2 was out. The wireless networking is problematic with it, but otherwise it's been flawless.

EricF · #15 07-03-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

I can tell you I can't even upgrade to Vista in my home studio due to lack of driver and software support for studio hardware.

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

Unless you want headaches, stick with XP. You've been warned.

+1

For recording, XP is definitely the way to go at this point in time.

Pilgrim · #16 07-03-2008, 11:44 AM

Anyone else remember how we bought computers 20 years ago when the Mac/PC thing was really going hot and heavy?

Answer: FIRST identify the software that does what you need to do, then buy the computer platform that supports it.

The wisdom of that approach hasn't changed. Find out what software and hardware support is built into XP and Vista. Use the OS that supports the functions you need. If that's XP, then "up/down/grade" to XP.

moomoocajoo · #17 07-03-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Wow, I don't know how anyone who has spent time with both OSes can possibly make this comment. Just blows my mind. XP is a mess as far as UI is concerned, Vista is orders of magnitude easier to use.

I'm sorry but the way the File, Edit etc menus jump about from here to the to everywhere and the really really irratating start menu are just utterly shoddy peices of ill thought out design.

At least XP is functional in keeping things fairly standard throughout making it easy to find what you want faster.

But anyway, it's a pointless argument. XP is the lesser of two evils.

Philbiker · #18 07-03-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moomoocajoo

I'm sorry but the way the File, Edit etc menus jump about from here to the to everywhere and the really really irratating start menu are just utterly shoddy peices of ill thought out design.

At least XP is functional in keeping things fairly standard throughout making it easy to find what you want faster.

But anyway, it's a pointless argument. XP is the lesser of two evils.

I can't believe anyone who has spent time with the two OSes could ever write this. I use XP at work and Vista at home and find the exact opposite to be true. XP is full of kudged UI here and there, while Vista is much more consistent (though not perfectly so). I never see menus jump anywhere in Vista. Both are very good pieces of software, but XP is just ugly and clunky compared to XP.

moomoocajoo · #19 07-03-2008, 02:39 PM

I could argue at you forever and a day but I digress. If you're happy with vista then fine. I'll stick to Mac OS (and XP at work)

Chunk-O-Funk · #20 07-03-2008, 03:27 PM

I've been running Vista 64 bit for a while now and have had zero problems as far as every day computing and gaming goes. Just like any new OS release there was some older software I had that would not work, though.

I know the drivers for recording systems can be a PITA sometimes. One thing you could do is pick up a copy of XP and have it installed in your Vaio. You would be running what is known as a duel boot system. (2 operating systems). When starting your computer you would be prompted to pick which operating system you would like to use.