which will run faster on an old computer - winXP or Win7 ?
 

which one of them will eat up less resources and run faster?

Put linux on it you queer.

depends on your system setup. if you don't have at least 2 gigs of ram stay away from win 7.

In most cases, XP.

Linux DOES need at least 2 MB of RAM to do much useful - Windows requires a thousand times as much. Depending on the specs and what you want to use it for, Linux running XFCE rather than Gnome or KDE may be an excellent choice. Figure around 32 MB minimum for XFCE.

http://wiki.xfce.org/minimum_requirements

XP will run faster :pimp

If your on a big budget just go to walmart and pick up a computer with windows 7 for around $300.

xp for sure

xp: about ten times faster

Can you see the computer I'm working or something?

:1orglaugh

XP +1 :thumbsup

you didnt say HOW old...if its a dual core or more use win 7

if it has more than 2gb ram use win 7

otherwise use xp

On my underpowered netbook, 7 blows XP out of the water.

I bought it with XP and later installed 7. Only 1 GB RAM and I would never go back to XP. 7 is superior in every way.

xp will run quicker on a old comp.

Linux with VirtualBox with XP and Windows 7 for the win!

linux ftw

you have to be geek to use linux for everyday webmastering needs

I tried to switch a few times, and I call myself computer-savvy. Fuck I went back to windows so fast it wasn't even funny


For a simple task like finding&installing normal GUI text editor, ftp manager with more options than just "connect" you need to spend hours to find some alternative. And did you know that skype on linux is still 2.2 ?? I don't even want to talk about the windows soft that you need to run on linux via wine or similar shit. Not worth it at all. Leave linux for servers, use windows for desktops.


I'd say, XP all the way for the old machine, Win7 for a relative new build. Linux if you have too much time on your hands

:2 cents::2 cents:

Linux is for servers and pussies.

A few key words in there, like "wine", tell me that no one showed you the Linux way versus the (harder) Windows way. You had trouble because you were doing it wrong, only because no one showed you. Doing things the Windows way on Linux is like writing the pen and ink way on a computer, using a stylus to write longhand. You can do it, but that's the hard way.

For example on Linux you don't search all over the internet for software to buy. You just click on the software manager, select "text editors" and check off the ones you want.

oh I know how to use rpm repositories to install software "easy way". I was referring to Wine when trying to run domain manager software which is available exclusively on windows. I wasn't able to find anything similar for linux.

i would install linux

or xp

I still use NT 4.0 on some servers using legacy software. Works like a charm. :2 cents:

I hated upgrading from NT 3.51.:upsidedow

I recently dusted off my 2005 computer with two Xeon Processors and 3 gigs of RAM (it's a 32 bit system) to use on CM's webcam show so I could get my laptop back from her.

Guess what? The CPU's on it max out when it tries to do Live Media Encoder!

Which shows me that all the new programs are really made for dual core and up processing. (my laptop is a dual core and handles it with ease)

I think your best bet is to go get a new computer. They are dirt cheap these days. And Windows 7 is the nicest and best Windows ever.

But if you insist on your old machine...I'd still go with Win 7. They have different versions of it. So just put the "basic" one on and it should run just fine.
They no longer support XP so it would be kinda risky to use if you are going online with it and using XP.

XP for the win.

linux , if not XP ... l

run xp in classic mode.

Microsoft no longer supports XP ?! what do you mean? there are windows updates all the time for XP

All versions of XP are past their "Mainstream Support End Date", and "Service Pack Support End Date", but the "Extended Support End Date" is April 2014.

Windows XP.

the answers to this question are infinite ...

we need to know your hardware specs to give you a proper answer ...

I have an IBM Pentium II laptop with 256MB of RAM - running Windows 2000 SP4 - and it is probably the most stable Windows machine I have .... but Win7 hands down if your hardware will support it.

W7 stripped to the bone.... safer and quite fast...

why not just run virtualbox or something then?

Anyone eles wanna write: "xp" ? he got the answer already.

XP

what makes you say that? in what case will win7 be faster than xp if win7 requires more resources?
mind you: I want a faster computer - not any more features than what xp gives me

I'm using windows 3.1 and i just can't rate it enough.

XP :pimp

He did not specify how much RAM he has, or how old of a processor he has ....

1GB is still considered an "older" computer ....

If he has 1GB+ of RAM (2GB is recommended, but not mandatory), and a compatible video card/chipset, then yes Win7 will run significantly faster than XP.

Win7 is much more polished than XP and much more efficient - provided your computer meets the prerequisites.

If you do not understand this ... then go get yourself a standard first generation netbook (atom single core processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, and Intel 945 chipset) running XP, and then install Win7 on it, and you will see a significant performance boost.

Exactly. :thumbsup

I have installed Win7 on several Acer Aspire One netbooks - for myself and a number of clients, and to be honest it is probably my favorite hack for first generation netbooks.

They actually become very usable and practical little device with Win7 on them. They can be found very easily on eBay for a buck fitty .... spend $30 more to buy a damaged, non-working computer with a Win7 COA on it, and you've got yourself a very respectible machine on a budget.