Thanks for your comments Pesto. I have one thing really working in my favor.....my current computer (Dell 4600) will still be here in my office, as my husband always inherits my old computer when I purchase a new one and I give the "old, old" one he is currently using to someone that needs one. So, even if a hardware item or a software application won't work with Vista, I can use his computer that has XP on it! I had to do the same thing when I switched from ME to XP. At any rate, with my old computer will still be here and I can still use all of my hardware and software

I already know that my scanner will not work with Vista at this time, as I have contacted Epson and they are working on it, but my Epson 1280 and Epson R200 printers will work with Vista.

Pesto, here are some of the specs of the system I want from Dell:

XPS 410 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6300 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.86HZ, 1066 FSB)
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz -2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Radeon X1300 256MB PCI Graphics Card
19" E197FP Analog Flat Panel

Does that sound good? With my keeping my old computer, don't you think I should be okay ordering my new system with Vista?

Thanks in advance for your help!

__________________

Those specs match my old computer except it wasn't dual core.
My new computer is either 3.0 or 3.4 GHZ Dual core with 2gig RAM, and XP Pro.
Where I can have more processes open and running smoothly, I won't be able to fully make good designing use of the dual core until I upgrade to CS3 (I don't do beta versions).

From what we've heard through the computer store, Vista will be using a large chunk of your RAM, so you may want to increase that. Maybe Trish can fill us in on what her RAM specs are?

Pesto is right about being able to load XP if you don't like Vista, but you may have to purchase a new copy of XP to do so.

__________________
Colleen in Friendly Manitoba...
Proudly selling digital designs at SBB
(Come take a peek at my Gallery or check my BLOG to see what I'm up to)

Hi.. those specs are ok - the CPU is a bit slow so you might want to look into upgrading that a bit for Vista usage... 2GB of memory is going to be the new minimum (thx to bloated VIsta) but with CS3 and dual core, I'd probably look into increasing that a bit - say 3GB. You may want to pay a bit more and get the memory on a single stick... typically, they provide 2 sticks (1 MB each) and that takes up a slot.. with the potential upgrade up to 3, 4 and 8 GB of memory now with Vista, you'll want to keep as many open slots as you can. Not a major deal.. but for an extra $50 or so.. it will be worth it down the road so you don't need to throw out memory sticks.

Since you'll probably be using an EHD or extra HD, 250 is fine to start with but you'll most likely want a second drive of at least 300.. I'm at the 1.75 TB mark now in my system.. lets me keep lots of DVD's ready for watching!

Video card is fine so long as you don't plan on running the newer games.. these will require so new DX10 chipsets.

The monitor is ok too... the better Dell monitors are quite expensive but to be honest, you'll be just fine.

Good Luck... let us know how you make out!

Since you are getting Vista- a word to the wise- Keep checking for new service packs on Microsoft's website.... but wait a few days before downloading them (sometiems they screw up the service packs)

__________________

I am waaaay to leery of compatability issues to mess with XP. I feel like waiting until the next time I need a new computer before ever messing with my OS, LOL

__________________
Christine Smith

Let me start by saying I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT COMPUTERS!!!! That said my friend who works at a computer repair shop is in heaven. They have been flooded with computers that people put vista on and now cant get things to run. ( need to upgrade stuff) Or cant figure out how to work the thing lol ( they also teach how to use stuff) Just thought i would share.

__________________


1/2 way WAHOO!!!!

Come on 40!!!

i am about to purchase a vista. Has anyone had any problems since the last time this thread was posted on?

Mainly, the only problems are that many programs, scanners, etc don't work in Vista as of yet. Vista will consume a huge chunk of your RAM (close to 1 gig), so you may also need a ram upgrade to run graphics programs.

There was a member who bought a new computer with Vista, but none of her scrapbooking programs would work with it. Still pretty much a hit and miss situation, but there may also have been a vista patch posted in the PSP forum. Good Luck with your decision.

__________________
Colleen in Friendly Manitoba...
Proudly selling digital designs at SBB
(Come take a peek at my Gallery or check my BLOG to see what I'm up to)