Windows XP instead of Vista?

[crackinhedz]

Hey guys, am not very knowledgeable when it comes to PC's so I wanted to ask you all this question.

I am thinking of getting this PC from best buy, but it comes loaded with Vista. I would rather not use Vista.

So is it possible to install Windows XP? would they Install it at bestbuy for me? or would I have to buy the whole XP package and install myself??


...also any thoughts on the PC? I will mainly just be using to surf the net...but I really hate slow computers. This one I am using now takes like 5 minutes just to open any program (and freezes when trying to multitask).

I think im only using 256RAM, so will 1GB RAM be all the difference in the world?

[Kyzer the Medic]

Is it possible, yes, is it easy to do, no. When you buy a PC or laptop from a retail store it will come loaded with all the drivers for that computer. Alot of vendors such as Gateway and HP use special drivers. If you have a full version of Windows XP still you can do a serch for every driver needed and then go from there.
One possible alternative, which will also get you a much better computer, is to go to your local PC shop and have them build one for you. Unless you are sold on Best Buy because of store credit or something like that, I would highly recommend shoping at a local privately owned store. They at the very least should still have copies of XP available for sale.

[GreenMotion]

The old saying is still true; you get what you pay for.

Yes, it has sufficient storage; but a dual core 1.8Ghz CPU with 1 GB of RAM .. AND Windows Vista? Ugh.

If you are indeed only going to serve the web, it will be sufficient. But I really recommend you at least have a look at the Dell Desktops and customize it the way you want. They may even offer Windows XP still and they are always running specials. (check fatwallet.com).

To answer your question; the machine is perfectly capable of running XP. Probably more so than Vista ... but No, Best Buy will not load for you instead.

[SkillzthatKillz]

no offense but that will computer will be slow as s**t running vista...go ahead and spend the extra 100 bucks and get the 2 gb model of either the compaq or the emachines...i used to work in the comp section so i always told ppl to stay away from those cheap machines...with concerns to xp, its a hit or miss thing because the pc might not have the drivers to run it...i would say stick with vista

[ShelbyGT500]

I would go to mwave.com or newegg.com and build your own for way cheaper. What I did the last time I built one, was take the specs from the one from best buy or dell and use those to create your own on mwave or newegg.
Those sites let you choose exactly what you want and for way less. They even can test it for like 10 bucks to make sure all your choices work together. Over the past 10 years I have built 3 computers off of mwave and never once had any problems with them.

Its worth a look anyways.

[crackinhedz]

create your own on mwave or newegg.
Those sites let you choose exactly what you want and for way less. They even can test it for like 10 bucks to make sure all your choices work together.

that sounds like a good idea, I like newegg.

Thanks guys for the informative answers!

I normally would not shop at bestbuy, but I thought the price looked good. But I will check out other places first.

Thanks !

[arush5268d]

That's a fairly reasonable price - one of my computers is actually that model. I just beefed it up in some areas. I haven't had a single issue with it - and it performs great.

Until recently it was an option with HP / Compaq to get a computer with XP installed instead of Vista. You may be able to talk them into shipping you a XP disk, YMMV though. Vista really isn't all that bad. When I first got it I hated it - but it's kinda grown on me.

For a higher end system you can sometimes get it cheaper buy building it via newegg.com or a similar place. You'd be hard pressed to beat the price for the one you are looking at at Best Buy. I did a quick look to verify that you are getting a good deal with the link you provided.

I would recommend more RAM with that system though...Vista loves to suck it up!

[crackinhedz]

hey i'm looking on newegg.com and I cannot figure out how to "build" my system?


edit: ahhhhh "Power Search". What a dumb title to use.

[El Negro]

As to what i remember reading a while back, Only HP and Dell were offering XP instead of Vista pre-installed.

I also remember reading about BB charging extra to remove Vista and installing XP.

Things may haven changed since then but that's what i read.

[Leopold BUTTERS]

Okay, i'll go ahead and say it.

I like vista. It runs well and it is good. the more fixes MS puts out the better it gets just like when xp started. Keep vista.

[dadkins]

I spend all day on a computer.
Since this one, May 10, 2008 - came with Vista Home Premium SP1... and I have eliminated all the UAC & user - Admin wannabe nonsense, it does ok.
Only get the occasional permission crap when trying to delete a dead folder or something.
Unlocker takes care of that with a simple right click - unlock - delete.

*MOST* of my apps run fine, the others will either get compatability mode or replaced.

Yeah, I said it too!

[austin126]

Originally Posted by Leopold BUTTERS

Okay, i'll go ahead and say it.

I like vista. It runs well and it is good. the more fixes MS puts out the better it gets just like when xp started. Keep vista.

i have owned a laptop for over a year and a half with vista and there has been MANY IMPROVEMENTS! i actually DO NOT like using my desktop computer anymore that has xp. the features on vista are great and honestly can say i have had very few problems. now granted, i do not use the computer for crazy stuff, mostly internet and music and movies but still, vista has treated me well and i recommend it to eveyrone i know. mac is just blowing the whole thing outta proportion in an attempt to buy there overpriced computers that really dont do much more for the average computer user.

wow, that was a lot. just my .02. dont flame me.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Yeah, I hear Vista is improving as well.

[Rojas]

Originally Posted by Leopold BUTTERS

Okay, i'll go ahead and say it.

I like vista. It runs well and it is good. the more fixes MS puts out the better it gets just like when xp started. Keep vista.

Sure vista is fast on a new system, fast bus, fast memory, super fast
PCi Express video slot, and todays dual or Quad CPU make vista a most have.

A lot of people had problems upgrading old computers to Vista.
so vista got a bad rap....

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by Rojas

Sure vista is fast on a new system, fast bus, fast memory, super fast
PCi Express video slot, and todays dual or Quad CPU make vista a most have.

A lot of people had problems upgrading old computers to Vista.
so vista got a bad rap....

Good points.

Vista really isn't a good idea for older computers.

[owa]

As someone mentioned already, you can probably get an XP based machine from Dell. At work, we just recently bought several from them with XP (since we aren't allowed to use Vista at work).

For personal use though, if you're basically just browsing the web, checking e-mail, etc. I'd go with Vista. Vista doesn't get to be really annoying until you start trying to do system level type tasks or try to use it with older software/hardware. With general day to day stuff you shouldn't need to do a lot of that. At some point, you'll probably have to bite the bullet and use Vista. Using it for something basic is a good way to get started with it.

Anyway, I bought it for 2 of my computers at home but ended up going back to XP on my gaming PC. On the one that I mainly use for web browsing, e-mail, streaming media, etc. I use Vista and it's fine.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by owa

you can probably get an XP based machine from Dell.

I was looking around on their site, and you can get XP on some computers, but theres a catch. You are paying for Windows Vista Bonus (?) and they will roll it back to XP...for like $99.

...man, I cannot find a good one for under $300. The bestbuy one is looking like the best bet.

Feel free to PM me with any links with good price for a PC with Windows XP.

newegg.com doesnt have any with XP. (actually they have some retarded looking media center crap that has XP on it)

[owa]

Hmm, you're right. We didn't have to deal with that (the $99 fee) but some of the home links say XP is included in the price. The $99 was probably still charged though since it is still the "bonus" upgrade feature so you can transition to/from Vista. The cheapest one I saw was $449 and doesn't include the monitor (but it did have 2-gig of memory). I didn't look all the way through it though since it was already more than the one at BB.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by owa

The cheapest one I saw was $449 and doesn't include the monitor (but it did have 2-gig of memory). I didn't look all the way through it though since it was already more than the one at BB.

thats one I am also considering. I already have an LCD 19" widescreen monitor. I just need the tower.

That one looks fast, but I would rather not pay extra money just to downgrade back to XP.

I do have Windows XP Home install disk for the current PC. Can I use that?? Or does it only work with the specific computer it comes with?

[arush5268d]

That one at Best Buy really is a good buy. It should serve you well! And I really do think that HP would mail you a XP disk if you are nice to the tech support people.