Hi,
The major differences between XP and Vista, and that the Kernel in Vista has been improved in many areas, to allow for better:
Memory and heap management
Management mechanisms
Security features
Other application support mechanisms
Support for hardware innovation
Power management
Plug and Play
The Hardware Abstraction Layer
Vista does require stronger hardware, and
[especially)in the 64 bit version] I feel, more refined drivers.
Vista uses about 512MB-768MB more System Memory, then XP for basic functions, as well as the need for a discrete 128MB Video card for Windows Aero functions. Only vista basic, doesn't need the video card, to be 128MB, as it doesn't contain the Aero feature.
I feel that Vista(Business and Ultimate more specifically) is more secure, allows for better gaming, [on the x64 platform] and
with the correct hardware[fully supportive of Direct X 10.1], provide a better overall computing experience, and enhance, both visual and audio.
The Premium Versions contain both Media Center & Tablet PC.
This is great not only for those who enjoy Media, but artistic types, like myself, who use a Wacom tablet, a tablet PC, or a tablet writing device(like the Intuos 3.0)
Business, and Ultimate versions, also provide a full Windows backup Image, which allows the user to create an image, which can be user in the recovery environment, to re-install the OS back, to a pre hardware failure state
[before a HDD breakdown[HDD= Hard drive]
You need to have imaging software for XP, since this isn't built in.
I only use Vista Ultimate x64, on my newer PC's, however, I still use Win2K and
XP Pro/XP Pro x64 on notebooks, and Tower PC's that don't have the hardware to run Vista Ultimate x64 correctly.
I also run a Server-Client SOHO, and feel, I'm more secure then many other gamers, who use P2P networking, within their LAN
(having PC's all hooked to a router and share files between them.)
Dejavu2u
