The only real thing I'm seeing that I'll be missing out on is the Aero interface as oppose to the Luna one in Windows XP. Is it possible to simply download the Aero interface as a Windows desktop theme as many websites such as ThemeXP allow you to do?

This post has been edited by Ness: Aug 12 2008, 09:41 AM

Exactly what are you comparing? Your title says Windows Vista VS. Basic, so obviously there is Vista involved. Yet you talk about Windows XP in your post. So what OS's are you comparing (Ex. Windows Vista Basic vs Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Basic vs Windows Vista Home Premium)? No matter what you are comparing, there should be more differences between the two besides the Aero interface.

As far as downloading the Aero interface, I would say that it is impossible. You could possibly try to find something similar, but I would imagine that Aero is a part of Vista that you gain only by buying the operating system.

If your concerned about fancy looking desktops and whatnot, I suggest giving Linux or Unix a try. Maybe Mandriva for Linux, or OpenSolaris for Unix. If your concern is only for Aero, then you gotta buy Vista...

Besides the AERO interface, Basic does not have

Tablet PC capabilities
Windows Meeting Space
Windows Side Show
Network Projector files for easy installation of projectors
( Needed if you do presentations at businesses, schools, etc.)

While i like the Aero interface, its really just eye candy. There are things that i really don't like about Vista that keeps my XP computers still around. Things like windows picture and fax viewer no longer opening gif files. You can no longer click on file then "open with" any more. It little things like that which keeps me installing XP on some of my computers. I have bought a 100 pack of Windows XP just so i can keep XP around on my new computers. I know that eventually there will be no drivers for new hardware for XP but this will last me a few more years.

SRX660

The list of differences does not end there. Here is the link for the actual comparison chart.



I believe Windows Photo Gallery is the Vista replacement for Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. This program can in fact open GIF files.



This is also false. I just used "Open With..." to open the GIF file I created with Windows Photo Gallery.

This was tested on Windows Vista Home Premium with and without SP1. So there is a possibility that these features are not provided in Vista Basic. However, I highly doubt that is the truth. Were these things that you tested yourself, or were they derived from another source?

From what I seem to see, the downfalls of Vista are usually either not true, or exaggerated. As far as I am concerned, it plays all of the games I own, even Starcraft. Also, it helps protect my computer more, at the expense of an annoying message popping up every now and then. For the final touch, it makes things easier to organize, easier to navigate, and it improves the look of the desktop. People just need to get over the fear of change, along with a SLIGHT learning curve presented by an improved OS. If you really hate Microsoft that much, or you think you have less control over Vista than XP, then feel to move on to something like Linux. It sounds better suited to your style anyways.