Hello \(^-^
The reasons why Vista and Windows XP are competing with one another on the market right now (especially between gamers) are varied, but mostly is because Vista uses up more "system resources" than Windows XP or other previous versions. Depending on the system and whether it's been "optimized" among other things, an Operating System (like Windows XP or Vista) can sometimes slow down heavy-handed applications, such as games. The reason why being that when it comes down to it, an Operating System uses the hardware inside of your computer just like a game does... just with a TON more buttons :3:
The thing with Vista is that, as is the case with all expanding markets, it's the newest thing, so it has to be the "shiniest". It compromises alot more system resources than the previous versions of Windows so that Microsoft can play at marketing campaigns of "Upgrade and stop using the out-of-date Operating System! Just look at this menu!!". The premise of this "shiny marketing" is to claim that it permits optimized platforms to run games and other heavy-handed applications with greater efficiency. And while it's
still the case that whether anything runs properly on your computer is primarily dependant on how much money to dish out for the hardware specs, there are exceptions, such as Microsoft monopolizing Direct X10 (and probably later versions) for Vista... only the difference is that Direct X10, in contrast to "Vista", actually
is something they can hold over your head with good reason...
Direct X basically functions as a "booster" for your graphics processing needs, and the higher the version the more efficient the algorithms, the more innovative the resource conservation and deligation schemes so on so forth etc* blah blah ...The advantage of Direct X10 over Direct X9.0c
(the most up-to-date version available to Windows XP) being that it is, in fact, up to date with the latest of the Direct X teams' efforts, and naturally that is a good thing. HOWEVER, Direct X isn't what runs the games you play, your computer does.
So to make this crystal clear... YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM DOES NOT RUN YOUR GAMES, YOUR COMPUTER DOES!!
If you are looking to purchase a computer with gaming in mind, you need to ask two questions when considering whether you want to purchase Windows XP or Vista:
1. Are you looking to run games that haven't come out yet at their absolute highest settings or are you looking to experience games properly now, with the computer you just bought?
2. Do you want shiney menus with your Operating System?
If you want to be able to run games with optimized in-game properties that only Direct X10 can offer because Microsoft payed the developers to turn them off if your not running Vista, guaranteeing you'll be able to run the hardest hitting High Definition games in their full-blown glory without quarter, then Vista is for you.
If you want to be able to run games now and over the next couple of years without un-neccesary issues due to your Operating System, then get proper consultation and purchase a late-market machine with Windows XP.
Keep in mind that this information pertains to graphically demanding games only. If your a recreational gamer that does not fret over Anti-Aliasing or High-Def resolutions etc*, then you'll not run into an unmanagable amount of problems with either Operating System. For instance, Pirates of the Caribbean Online will run properly on either system.
I use Windows XP, and will be switching to Vista in a couple of years when it works the way I want it to.
- mercriseing.inc