Laptops and Windows XP??

[cara_m]

Several years ago I bought a 17" Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop. Big mistake. The portability wasn't what I had expected and now I am looking to downsize. I am looking to buy the new Dell XPS M1330 13.3" laptop. Anyone have any thoughts on it. I love the portability, weight and not wanting to go over a 13" screen. Any suggestions on any other brands that offer a 13" screen would be welcomed. There is one other thing. It is really hard pressed to find a laptop that offers windows xp and I have heard so much negativity about vista. Would I be able to install xp on any new laptop if I choose. I am so used to working with what I have now and don't reall want to change. Would I have to uninstall vista or could I have both vista and windows. Any help would be appreciated

[Patonb]

Xp's really easy to load in as it's at the end of it's life span, so all, or nearly all drivers are in it. You can get XP now for bout $100 so don't even worry if you have to get Vista. I'd uninstall Vista and run only XP, just cause of drive space.

15" lappys aren't too bad now either, so if you need to find other options, you'll be good.

[brokeneck]

:applaud: I just got an XPS 1330 two weeks ago.I have a Dell network printer that I set up a week ago.Setup was easy,fast,and works great.If you are planning on a lot of peripherals you may want a port replicator.A docking station might be a good idea.The computer size and performance are great.

[cara_m]

I'd uninstall Vista and run only XP, just cause of drive space.

Thanks for the response. I guess I just wanted to have my cake and eat it too. I was hoping to have both xp and vista on the same pc. This way I could continue working on familiar territory and slowly navigate around vista until I got a grasp of it. I’m not opposed to change just wanting the transition to go smoothly while I take my time and learn. One more question if you don’t mind. Since I would like both vista and xp on the same pc, would 160gb be adequate or should I play it safe and go to 250gb hard drive. I do tend to put quite a bit on my pc and embarrassed to say just starting to store information with the flash cards. I really don’t want to invest in an external hard drive or even be bothered with it for that matter. As you can see, I am not very computer proficient. My computer is like my power chair. I know how to turn it on, do what I have to do and that’s it. But I am willing to learn. lol

Brokeneck---glad to hear from someone who has it and is pleased with it. I probably won't be investing in it until early spring so let me know how it works out since it is 1st generation

[PN]

Would I have to uninstall vista or could I have both vista and windows.
After doing a Google search (http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp) it looks like you can have both without having to uninstall Vista.

[Patonb]

After doing a Google search (http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp) it looks like you can have both without having to uninstall Vista.

Oh it's not a problem.. To add Vista to an XP setup is easier... But I was mainy talking bout space.

Cara... If you can afford the 250Gig do it, More the merrier, then for sure dual boot vista... Even 160Gig would be fine for it.

To make t mor confusing, make 3 drives.. Vista part, XP part and a Data part so as to easily swap files, and your data all stays in one place no mater what OS you're in.

[Andy]

Just buy a laptop from Dell's business side instead of the home side of their website. You can get it with XP on it and avoid all the Vista fun involved. An added bonus is you wont get all the trialware and other such 'features' pre-loaded. FWIW, I put Vista onto my laptop and am finding that with the exception of the 'widgets' on the desktop, it is rather clunky compared to XP. I'd stick with XP for the time being.

[Patonb]

Andy......... Funny how this was the exact statements said bout XP and 98se.

[Andy]

Yeah, I'm sure in a couple years...

My biggest gripe is the nearly doubled boot time (really makes you use 'standby' for sure) and the idiot messages/descriptions built into it. But 98se vs. XP? I think XP was a marvel of technology looking back, no endless BSOD's like 95/98/etc Windows

[cara_m]

Thanks guys for the responses. I may just have to bite the bullet, drudge my way through vista and get the laotop without installing xp. Dell won't send it pre installed. The comp. guy that I use said that to upgrade to xp would cost me at least another $300.00 bucks or more. At least $100.00 to buy the xp version and another $90.00/hr to install it for me and set my laptop up to the wireless router that I have. He said all that would take a few hours. I want my 17" Inspiron and the new pc hooked to the same router. If and when I decide to get the laptop I'll probably be banging my head against the wall dealing with vista so hope you won't mind questions. Sigh, $300.00 bucks or more just to get xp. Ignorance sure can be expensive. Thanks again for the input.

[Patonb]

Thats total horse shit. Wow, your comp guys ripping you off. 90 bucks! I agree with the time though

If you can read, you can do it yourself, or a case of beer and a freind.

But anyway, once Vistas up and running you'll be good.

[mingo]

If you can read, you can do it yourself, or a case of beer and a freind.



Those are my rates as well!:D

[dan_nc]

Cara find or borrow a teenager, they could do the installation/configuration in their sleep and they charge less. Maybe a few slices of pizza and a soda.

[Sue Pendleton]

Cara, if you're looking at another Dell can you go the Friends and Family route? Much cheaper, professional versions of XP or Vista and no excess do whats. Just need someones name who, preferably, works for state or federal government or a fortune 500 company.

And YEA, the 17 inch is a pain when you think flying. Otherwise I like the size for fumble fingers.