Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Vista and XP

Ok somebody please help my pitiful self. Our laptop has just flat out DIED. Wanted to quickly buy a new "cheap" one. This is for medical assistants to use inputing patient vitals and performing EKGs/spriometry with our Midmark equipment.

Our main pc uses XP Pro. If I get a Windows Vista (business version) with 2G of RAM, will I be OK?

oh, I also need to be able to transfer files between the laptop and , well the other pcs. And use AC of course.

I would say you will be more than OK. I forget the dates, but I would just make sure you will be able to update free to Win7, which is scheduled to release officially on October 22, 2009 -- which in Microsoft time will probably be around January 2010.

Free Win7?? they will let u upgrade to win 7 for free when it comes out?

I heard something about someone having a beta win7.

But at least for now, Vista Business will talk to my xp machines. Thanks Bert.

oh, would Toshiba be a good brand to go with?

It is possible to download and use Windows 7 RC ("release candidate", the last free version before it goes on sale -- not the beta) now. It is free until it expires in March 2010. You can download it here.

I have installed it on one of my networked computers (to save downgrading from Vista to XP), and it runs AC version 4 and everything else I've thrown at it just fine.

Apparently there was a Best Buy memo leaked that states that any systems purchased with Vista will be eligible for a FREE win 7 upgrade when it comes out in October, provided the system was purchased after, I think 6/21/09.

I do not know if this is actually a microsoft policy or just Best Buy, but if true, may be worth waiting a few days.

I have been using Win 7 beta and RC since Jan and it runs well ( I do have 2 G memory) It appears to be Vista done right.

It is worth it to test the RC that is available to see if you like it. Search the microsoft site.

Yeah, I have tried it. I guess one day I will have to switch especially if I move to SBS 2008.

The only problems I have with it so far is I hate the Quick User Switching setup, although it probably is easier and more functional for staff (I just think the other logon is more secure -- maybe one can change it), and I hate the networking setup. The park bench, the public/private, this and that. Just give me XP's again.

I have to agree with the many who say do it like Mac and Firefox. Just have updates and upgrades every so often but don't come out with this entirely new OS, which causes everyone to install them on each computer and relearn everything. Wait...installing on each computer. That sounds like it would make Microsoft a lot of money.

The new Mac update is supposed to cost $29 per computer, and even less (per computer) for a 5-user license. My several Macs at home should be pretty cheap to update.

On the other hand, I just dread finding out what Windows 7 is going to set me back for my half dozen office machines.

It sounds like Windows 7 Pro is going to cost about $100 each if you want it. Personally I think I will stay with XP until I have to........

What? And miss the cool Aero and 3D experience? lol

FYI - Microsoft has bowed to market realities (again). Looks like downgrading will be available ~ perhaps as far out as April 2011.

"Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate customers will have the option to downgrade to Windows XP Professional from PCs that ship within 18 months following the general availability of Windows 7 or until the release of a Windows 7 service pack, whichever is sooner, and if a service pack is developed," a company spokeswoman said in an e-mail.

http://www.computerworld.com/action...mp;articleId=9134528&source=rss_news

We have used the Toshiba Tablets (initially Satellite R10, now MX700s). Battery life is adequate if you plug it in over lunch. The screen of the MX700 is a little small for my 1/2 century eyes, and sometimes the stylus gets a little cranky. Otherwise, we are quite happy tap-tapping through templates and finishing notes before the patient gets back to the front desk.

One trick is that if you buy one of those new "dual core" computers, if they come with Vista, check to see if there are any Win XP drivers available by doing a Google search. Case in point- I recently won on eBay a Dell Inspiron 518 dual core computer specifically because you can find hardware drivers for Win XP still, even if not advertised at the Dell site.

Of course, if you really look hard, you can get fantastic deals, s.a. the one I got today, which was a Core Duo laptop (1.6 GHz) with 2GB ram and with Win XP Professional already installed, for $295 (free shipping). I can't do better than that... well, I did get my Asus NetBook for $250 (2gb ram, 1.6GHz processor) the other day, which was a pretty good deal too!

Right now I plan on having a Netbook or laptop in every exam room sending all printouts to a central printer. I literally print out the prescriptions and patient instruction sheets while the patient is still talking. Saves a good 5 minutes per patient. I don't have to worry about battery life, I don't have to carry them around from room to room... life is good.

Cheers,
Al