What is the Difference?

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Fishmed

Fishmed

Well-known member
What are the big differences and/or advantages of XP vs. VISTA? :confused:
 
XP:
Stable
Compatible with most software, hardware, and drivers
Doesn't require much RAM or CPU to run (by today's standards anyway)

VISTA:
Still in the beta stages
Not much software that is fully tested and compatible with VISTA (especially recording software)
Not many drivers are supported under VISTA for recording interfaces
Requires much more RAM and CPU to run smooth compared to XP
 
There will be two real life advantages in the future to using Vista with Pro Audio.

First is multiprocessor scaling which will allow your multiprocessor (4-8 and above) machine to actually use all of its cores more effeciently than XP currently allows. The direction is going toward more and more cores and this will be a large advantage in the future. Even now I'm setting up 8 core systems which Vista actually will handle better.

Secondly is memory, but only in Vista64. The 3-4GB memory limitation is gone and were looking at 16GB RAM systems and up for the future. What does this mean? Tons of samples, VSTi's, effects. This will be huge for the people running EastWest or Vienna and doing symphonic scoring. This will make Giga even more archaic than it even is today. Plus you'll only need one machine to run all the samples AND do the mix on.

We will be able to do things with one machine which used to require 3,4,5 computers because the hardware will not be as limited by the software. OF COURSE, now the limitation is the Pro Audio manufacturers. They all need to get their butts in gear and develop the hardware and software to take advantage of all this power that is now available. The machine next to me is an Intel Quadcore with 8GB of Ram running Vista64. But I can't really put it through its paces because the audio stuff is behind.

Its not here yet. When things are developed and its ready, it will be excellent.
 
Thank you very much guys.

Four LONG years overdue, I finally bought a new PC that came with VISTA. Some of my software did not work well with the old PC (PIII), but they are not compatible with my new OS. I am not about to upgrade ALL of my software at this time.

A guy here at work told me about VMware and how I can run a vitual OS from within my current OS. I am going to give it a try and let you know.

I hope to be able to use current software and hardware with my new PC. I will let you all know how things work out.
 
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