i hate vista

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's not always as simplistic as "Get a Mac". We have both macs and windows here in our business, and the majority of files we get from our clients are in Windows format from Windows programs and no, they do NOT always translate correctly on a Mac with Virtual PC. We have to work with both Mac and Windows. I can do some work things on my windows machine that our macs just can't do, and vice versa. It's all about what kind of programs you need to use for a particular project.

I'm still on XP (love it) and plan to wait until they work out the bugs with windows 7. I've avoided Vista in any shape or form, and will continue to do so until I buy a new computer with 7 on it already.

[Irulan]

get your local geek to wipe the computer,reformat, and install XP. I'm lucky, my geek child does this kind of thing for me.

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, Virtual PC is merely a reader. Fusion and Parallels create virtual machines on which you can run any operating system you like.

They're not perfect, but with the most recent versions there's very, very little that you can't do with them. The main drawback is the processing power required to run the VM at the same time that MacOS is operating, which then is unavailable to your Windows apps.

Then there's always Boot Camp, which makes your hardware 100% available to Windows, but obviously that requires a re-boot whenever you want to switch OS.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

They're not perfect, but with the most recent versions there's very, very little that you can't do with them.

Not perfect, and when you are trying to translate certain editable graphics and windows-created files to work with in preparing elaborate technical patent application illustrations, it's essential that they be perfect with NO errors or glitches whatsoever. We get a lot of various bizarre and crappy graphics stuff from our clients to work with, often done in programs that weren't even meant to do whatever they were doing with it.
If I was just using the usual business programs with typical files, preparing reports, presentations, and spreadsheets, it wouldn't be a problem at all.

[AnnieBikes]

I have read several articles about Windows 7 and they are VERY positive, even with the BETA addition. Some of these guys (from PC World Magazine) think it could be out by the end of the year so that new Christmas computers sell with it. If you are in the market for a new computer, they say to hold off if at all possible for Windows 7. I hope they are right. I never got Vista and it seems that is a good thing, from what my geek son tells me. I also love XP and will keep it as long as I can! I am such a wuss, I hate using new operating systems. It was hard to switch to XP but now I know it well. So...hang on if you can for 7.

[OakLeaf]

to address the OP's question...

I don't know much about Windows, but I'd be EXTREMELY surprised if Windows 7 is not going to be 64-bit.

Not to be sarcastic, but time to move to the 21st century. Yes it's a PITA when all your data is in some archaic format that's no longer afforded backwards compatibility - been through it many times myself. It's just part of it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

t
Not to be sarcastic, but time to move to the 21st century. Yes it's a PITA when all your data is in some archaic format that's no longer afforded backwards compatibility - been through it many times myself. It's just part of it.

In our line of work, you can't tell all your big corporate clients to 'move into the 21st century' (well you can but it won't do anything except annoy and anger them)- it's not about just your own data- you have to be able to work with the files types and material your clients are sending you. If you cannot, then they'll find someone else who can. The big corporations will update and change their systems when they decide to. Meanwhile, we have to be able to work with widely varied material coming at us from many different clients.

[7rider]

I dunno.
DH and I recently swallowed really hard, and blew out tax return on a new p.c. and new laptop. Both are running 64-bit Vista. I thought I'd freak out with it, but so far, the transition has been pretty painless. I still haven't fully moved over our Visor pda desktop apps from our old p.c. (~8 y.o., and I have no idea where the disc is for it) and so far it's running fine (but I haven't tried sync-ing them yet).
We even had our Linux-nerd (said jokingly and with his full knowledge and appreciation) friend help us network the two together, and while he acknowledges that he STILL hates Windows and anything MS, he had to give them props, as it was relatively painless for him.