Dell still insisting on putting Vista on new systems

Erik

I've found the laptop I want, and it is a Dell - to replace the 710m that Chavez recommended to me so long ago. It has been a fantastic machine.

But Dell is still insisting on putting Vista on new systems, despite the fact that Windows 7 is on the horizon. They're not budging. I tried. I called.

If you folks were in a position where you were literally one-click-away ready to buy a laptop but it came force-loaded with Vista, would you still do it or would you wait for Windows 7.

They offer XP for a premium on some systems, but it is out of the question for the machine I want.

Agh. Any thoughts?

DRAGON88 · Posted: Aug 14, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:

I'd go for it, any modern hardware is going to be able to run Vista decently well. I would definitely be upgrading to windows7 though when it starts shipping. Then again, you'd be out another $150 to buy 7...

Has Dell mentioned when they're going to start shipping windows7 PC's? Usually the manufacturers have a few week grace period where they ship you the new OS if it comes out a few weeks after you've purchased your system... Or at least that's what Apple did with the 10.5 release. It's definitely a tough one, I guess the only real question is it worth $150 to has your new computer right now or not.

Windows 7 is such a different animal than Vista, that I would probably be tempted to wait it out. Or more likely, i would buy the machine and then just purchase Windows 7 when it finally comes out...

I know that doesn't help your conundrum at all, but you might check with the grace period bit...

Also, CONGRATS on the new job! I'm stoked for you!

Erik · Posted: Aug 14, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks Richard, They say their Windows 7 systems ship in October. This White Inspiron 14 with a super HD display is calling my name so loud. Backlit keyboard, 4 gigs of ram, Intel core 2 duo@ 2.2ghz, 500gig drive, 6hr battery, dvd writer... just shy of 1k. INSANE how much you can pack into a small laptop now. It's awesome. And I really need something like that.

Just so you know the new job isn't a day job replacement, but I'll admit I am very excited about it. I just have 2 paying jobs now. Yipee. I need a new roof, need a new laptop, need a new fence, the list goes on - the list includes getting into a 230 sooner than later though I am tempted to wait based on something I just heard on the Correct Craft front... there's always something better coming down the line. Agh.

Thanks though! I appreciate it and I plan to help the wakeboarder.com, boardstop, various other Web properties Ed Empire as much as I can with the new wake editorial position at FUEL.

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

Certain Dell units qualify for a free upgrade to Win 7 as soon as it comes out...looks like the Inspiron is on the list...

https://win7.dell.com/

https://win7.dell.com/Eligibility.aspx

taitrt · Soul Rider Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 413

Erik · Posted: Aug 14, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

Well the person I spoke to was very good actually, and sounded pretty senior. I've had good luck with Dell salespeople. On many laptops XP is available at a $120 premium. But you still get the Vista disks. With the machine I want XP is not possible. The guy triple checked and called me with that news today.

I guess I could get it, wipe it, and install XP but I just wonder about how many driver battles I would be fighting. My guess is I'd have a gimped system.

Dumb question as a Vista fear mongerer - are most programs that were developed for XP natively Vista compatible out of the gate? Are the 2 architectures THAT different? Important things to me are the things I've actually purchased. Photoshop CS3 - actually the entire CS3 master suite, Sony Vegas 6 HD, Cucusoft Ipod/DVD converter, SecureCRT and on and on (check the screenshot)

Below is my Start menu. I keep my commonly accessed stuff in that top area instead of the quick launch corner because I only have 800px of resolution height on this small laptop. I found a lot of stuff that would easily work on Vista because I'd need to download the stuff again anyway (IM clients, FTP clients). Sony Vegas isn't installed on this machine but I have it on my XP work machine and it runs great. I don't know if it would work with Vegas - I'll have to check.

The thing I spec'd out with Dell could potentially just run everything better. but there are too many programs to mention that I'd be bummin if I couldn't use. Hell even HomeSite. That old-ass program is still my favorite non-UTF-8 Web programming editor and I use it for all of my sites and I would be sooo surprised if that worked on XP. After looking at my Start menu of installed programs and what I depend on, I'm simply not convinced I am ready. DAMN. I guess that also means I wouldn't be ready for Windows 7 either.

Kind of makes me realize how good XP is after all. I have very few complaints. Really. Biggest complaint: the search could be improved upon, and not dumb it down with the little pointless dog thing, but the 5 machines I run in this house that are on XP are as stable as I could want and do what I need.

taitrt · Soul Rider Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 413

Vista is fine, it has compatability modes for all previous versions of windows including XP SP2. UAC is a total pain in the ass, but it can be disabled in seconds or tweaked if you are willing to put in a little time.

Windows 7 if even better than vista, buy the laptop, get the win7 free upgrade when it comes out and be done with it.

taitrt · Soul Rider Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 413

Does this make you feel any better?

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Vista can be a bit slow at times but I like it. Do they include the free upgrade to 7 when it comes out?

I'd buy it with vista. The start menu and searching are greatly improved on it and it is more appealing to the eye.

JoeyJojo · Posted: Aug 15, 2009 10:46 am Post subject:

There are some tweaks to get vista running good. If you are careful of where ya go and what you install, it is pretty damn reliable. I tried actually going back to XP and didn't much care for it =) And as you can see my system goes for days and weeks at a time with no reset.

Mikeob1 · Posted: Aug 15, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject:

I went on the Dell website and was looking at the Inspiron 14. When I chose to customize it they listed that you can get a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/global/products/landing/en/us/windows-7-consumer?c=us&l=en&s=gen