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If you're looking to buy a whole new computer, the answer is simple: go ahead and buy a system preloaded with Vista Home Premium (not Basic) or a more advanced version (like Ultimate).

If you're looking to build your own system soon, I'd recommend building it with Vista in mind (see info about hardware coming up). Even if you decide to install XP for now for stability reasons, once SP1 or SP2 of Vista comes out you will surely wish to move on to Vista.

If you recently bought a new computer that included a free upgrade to Windows Vista, go ahead and take it. But be warned: read all documentation relating to the upgrade very carefully, and take note of the advice to follow about hardware and versions of Vista. For example, if you get a free upgrade to Vista Basic, that's laughable and you might as well stick with XP.

Now before I go into the final category of possibilities, let me explain why I say staying with XP can be a good option for some. First, Microsoft has pledged to support XP for many years down the road (at least 5 for sure), and it's in their best interest to do so. Many consumers will refuse to upgrade to Vista for cost, security, and value (features vs. cost) concerns for several years down the road. XP is now on SP2 with SP3 in the works, so it is a stable, well-known OS that has stood the test of time (albeit on a rough road that dealt it several hits). Bugs are already being found in Vista (as is the case with any OS) and Vista SP1 is already beginning to become an idea (if not a work-in-progress). For most people who already have the 2nd most recent version of Windows, it is typically best to wait at least a year after the newer version comes out before moving on. Here's why: a new OS requires from the user more money, more learning, possibly more hardware, and possibly more tech support calls - and definitely more time, initially at least. Most people would rather wait about a year for the new OS to get more efficient, safe, and user-friendly before adopting it.

Now to the core group to which the topic of this article pertains most: those who have an XP machine now and want to upgrade to Vista on this same machine.

First, decide which version of Vista you want. For many home users, Vista Home Premium will be the best choice. Home Basic sucks so don't even bother considering it - you're better off staying with XP than "upgrading" to Basic. Power users might want Vista Ultimate, which gives you all the Vista features possible in one release.

But realize,

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