I am planning to get a new MS dev box. VS2008 dev and SQLServer 2008 dev will be installed. What OS should I pick, XP pro, Vista for business or Windows 7(version?)? Thanks.
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Yes, Windows 7 Pro. An OEM disc would be the cheapest way to go.
Runs better and faster than Vista on identical hardware.
I installed it recently on an old 1.8 GHz laptop with no video card and with Aero turned off it ran better than a clean install of XP on the same machine.
I'm a recent convert to Mac but Windows 7 has me doing a re-think.
XP will work... But I'd recommend Windows 7.
My suggestion is business or professional.
Ultimate is more expensive and gives you only:
- language selection
- applocker (way of restricting some apps)
- bitlocker (full drive encryption)
Prof is usually enough in dev scenarios.
Look also at http://www.microsoft.com/w
XP is old technology. Thought XP works, Microsoft will soon end support for the aged platform. I don't agree with the Vista instability issued put forth. Vista can be a pain if you don't do your homework. Any OS can behave like that. I have been developing on Vista 64 for almost two years, now and it runs fine. The thing that would make me weary about Windows 7 is that it is very new, and unproven. Millions of folks 'tested' Windows 7, but that definition is akin to them using a free version of Windows for little under a year. Let the smoke clear and give MSFT a chance to release some updates, which address the initial bugs that come with all new releases.
Windows 7 is kind of update to Windows Vista (ver 6.0 vs 6.1) and resolves many vista problems.
I agree with you Vista x64 is really OK. But Windows 7 has many improvements and is reliable too.
Even if he should wait "for some updates" why do you not recommend waiting after such updates to address initial bugs again? ;))
I'm pretty sure Windows 7 is mature product and can be used in professional scenarios.
I am not suggesting that Windows 7 isn't given proper consideration. At this point, Windows 7 is in a much better position that was Vista at it's launch. I think that is because of Vista.
Give Windows 7 six months and see how it behaves. I agree that Windows 7 is a significant improvement to Windows Vista, but I also believe many of the negative reports around Vista are opinion and not fact.
Make sure the desired applications work with Windows 7. Google is your friend here. Look in product forums and user-driven web-sites that can offer true feedback. Don't rely on the tech media as the sole basis for an observation. When I consider a new product, I look in the manufacturer's support forums and try to get an idea what kind of problems folks are having with the device. Perhaps I could wind up in the same boat.
If applications work with Vista - they usually work with W7 too. It's no 100% rule but it's generally true.
I'm still recommending W7. Even if (theoretically) it has some "young age" disadvantages it's just better to start with new system instead of changing OS after some months.
BTW. I really loved Vista... But W7 seems to be better.
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by: h2g2guyPosted on 2009-10-26 at 19:13:44ID: 25668690
Definitely Windows 7 Home Premium or Business. Vista is still a relatively unstable environment, especially compared to 7. XP, in my opinion, will soon be outdated by 7 as well.
To put it in perspective: I bought a laptop about a year after Vista was released, and it had Vista Home Premium. On the first day, I received no less than 3 blue screens.
About 10 years ago, I received a (then) top of the line Windows XP computer. It ran beautifully for a while, but began to get bogged down. After quite a while, it became very tedious to develop with it, as it was just that slow.
I installed Windows 7 about 3 months ago, and my first blue screen occurred about 3 days ago. It hasn't recurred since. Plus, Vista and 7 both have automatic daily background defragmentation, so gradual speed decline is not much of an issue on those systems.
I preordered Windows 7 about 5 days after installing the RC and have used it as my primary OS since then. I'm sure when the release version FINALLY reaches my house (stupid Best Buy...) I'll install and use it straight away.
And, by the way, I am an amateur developer (primarily Visual C# Express and Java) so I can attest to the wellbeing of Visual Studio 2008 in 7.
Best of luck with your new computer!