I like Vista a bit more than XP at this point...
Vista :thumbsup:
- 25% faster TCP/IP stack (by initial benchmarks, and feel)
- Included software (Partition utility, Advanced Firewall, Photo edit/resize, Snipping, Performance monitor, more in-depth Admin tools, DVD burning, etc.)
- Faster performance at the desktop, probably because more RAM is being used to cache apps. ReadyBoost, SuperFetch, etc.
- Awesome new power saver settings, can actually throttle down the CPU multiplier when not in use to save power and can allow the BIOS to throttle down the fans.
- Search actually works.
- Hyperlink style in regular control panel elements. This makes it very easy to just jump to an associated app without tracking it through the start menu. Not a big deal, but a nice touch.
- New networking topography and layout, nice that it includes routers, etc. now.
- New memory/RAM subsystem, noticeable in games where XP would usually chug or stutter (initial load, map change, alt-tab, etc.)
Vista :thumbsdown:
- A bit unstable with the Nvidia and Creative drivers. Not as bad as the Win98 to WinXP jump though.
- The UAC and the new 'run as admin' features. I understand it completely but sometimes it's hard to track down some little sub program that needs admin to run properly, Punkbuster for example.
- Aero is interesting but ultimately just eye candy and extra CPU cycles.
- DRM... though this likely won't effect me since I don't copy HD movies on my PC.
I like it to be honest. Vista is to XP what XP was to 98. I can't imagine going back, having to load hours worth of service packs, install a ton of third party programs just to make the machine usable. And on top of all that is the new, faster responding, memory.