While Vista definitely looks better, it is also more annoying than XP. The OS will keep asking you to confirm whether you REALLY want to do something, as if it would badly harm your PC. Vista will even ask you if you REALLY think you want to change the display settings! And if you REALLY want to install a program. So, popups keep coming up pestering you for your decision. I suspect it will scare people who are not really that good with computers.
This excessive security feature will naturally disable some features in older programs thus the incompatibilities. However, you can override these incompatibilities by changing certain settings readily available in Control Panel. But in my mind, it beats the point buying a new software with new concepts etc, only to revert it back to an older way of doing things.
Most softwares really worked fine on my Vista machine when I switched. Games (both newer and DOS) worked fine, musics played fine, photos displayed well, Adobe Photoshop ran well. Problem comes when you use security programs like anti-viruses. They are the culprits of most system instabilities in Vista. So consider replacing your anti virus/anti spyware/firewall to one that is compatible with Vista
Don't worry about drivers really. Vista will find it. Unless of course you're using a weird hardware made by obscure companies, you won't have problems with drivers. I have two printers, Samsung and Brother, two cameras, Nikon and Canon, an iPod, a Sony MP3 player, a (generic no brand) webcam, and all of them were detected and installed and worked without fail. Don't really listen to people telling you of drivers incompatibilities, most of the time, they haven't even tried Vista! Heck don't even listen to me when I tell you the contrary! Go to this website: <
> and download the program, and it will tell you if your hardware is compatible or not.
Personally, I switched to Vista only because my XP CD broke in the drive. The changes weren't that impressive. Sure, it is easier and faster to find your files due to a much better and more efficient indexing service. But a similar program can be used to have that same effect in XP. Sure it looks better, with the AERO experience. But you really get sick of it after just a few days and you might decide to turn it off altogether because it consumes resources and slows down your PC. Is it more secure? I'm not convinced, it's surely more annoying with the VERY FREQUENT popups. More fun? Sure there are new games, and the new chess looks pretty cool. But is it really necessary?
In conclusion, if you can handle the annoying security popups, why not? It looks cooler, and probably functions better. Besides, SP1 has been launched so it can only get even better. But for 200USD a license, you might want to reconsider if price is an object.