[SandiC.]

OK, took a deep breath, closed my eyes and hit the complete transaction button. Ordered my new Dell laptop with Vista. I've been holding out for months 'cause I was really afraid of Vista and all the problems I've heard about, but I'm getting this anyway. My old (going on 4 yrs now) laptop is just not made for photos, scrapping, etc. My DIL traded her school laptop for my desktop and that's been great, but my DS took over the desktop and Dana would like a laptop. So, I'm getting the new laptop, and then Dana can take over her old laptop. I'm sure that once it comes, I'll be here asking all kinds of questions. I've sort of been following along and I know its not going to be a totally seamless transition, but I'm hoping it won't be too bad either.

[scrappinchar]

Yay!!!
I hope you asks lots of questions about it...lol...so I can learn from you.
I mentioned to my DH the other night about how would he would like to see Utah. lol Meaning for next year's convention. And that if we did plan it, I'd need a laptop.

So...do you mind telling me the specifics of the one you ordered? I was looking at their site the other night. I don't know enough about computers. I'll have to get me a "shopping buddy" here when I go to buy...to tell me what I need! lol

[soozlou]

Hey Sandi,

I have Vista, and was initially afraid too. It has turned out to be fine, and actually now that I'm so used to it, it's hard to remember where various things are in XP! My only complaint is that it takes FOREVER to boot up (at least compared to XP).

Hope you enjoy your new computer!!

[SandiC.]

Charlene, I am a die-hard laptop lover now, had resisted until about a year and a half ago. The one I ordered is a Dell XPS 1530. Right off the top of my head I don't remember all the specifications, but sounds like a monster machine. Its a 2.4GHz dual core processor, 320GB HD, and 4GB memory. I got the 15.4" screen. Lots of other goodies too. It was on sale at Costco until the end of the month, they have lots on sale so check out their site. I think this will give me growing room. I'll need it to last for a few years at least. They had it in three colors, I got blue, my favorite. I considered getting the smaller screen, but since I only travel with it two or three times a year, I'd rather have a mid sized screen. Bigger and faster is what I want. Hope you find something that suits your needs so you can go to SLC next year.

[debilou]

Sandi, I did order Vista for Dummies, and, Clean up your Pc (Vista) for Dummies... and they helped me out a lot.

but, you know it was not as hard as every one made it out to be.

I guess everyone made it seem SO HARD, it was really no big deal.. I do recommend the books, in case you do get stuck, but it really was a piece of cake.

[anemone1983]

scrappin'doc, on Oct 18 2008, 02:24 PM, said:

Ordered my new Dell laptop with Vista. I've been holding out for months 'cause I was really afraid of Vista and all the problems I've heard about, but I'm getting this anyway.

Sandi, how exciting! I was amazed at how much i like Vista. I've been using it for a little over a month and so far the only thing I couldn't keep was my scanner. It was aging anyway and I found a driver for it, but I couldn't find an update for the software I've been using to actually do my scanning/copying, etc. Since I gave my desktop to my sister, I gave her the scanner too.

I found the Vista compatibility center at http://www.microsoft.../compatibility/ valuable in looking at my current set up and seeing if I would encounter issues. I went with the 64-bit version because I got 4GB RAM and eventually want to upgrade to 8GB, so that added a bit more complexity to it -- but it just installs the older software in a separate Program Files folder marked (X86).

I think my favorite thing about Vista is the way Start Menu and the Windows Explorer function. The "fly out" menu for All Programs is gone and it just has a better feel to me. Enjoy your new PC and OS!

[AmandaFace]

sounds awesome sandi!! i promise vista isnt as bad as people make it out to be. ive been using it since it first came out and havent had any problems.

[J9Buckles]

I like Vista better than the laptop it came with, but that's a lonnnng story. My only advice for shoppers is don't buy HP. I'll say no more. If anyone wants me to explain just send me a PM.

[Shelbi]

I am slowly getting used to vista on my new laptop.
If I can figure it out anyone can LOL.

[scrappinchar]

Shelbi, on Oct 18 2008, 01:10 PM, said:

I am slowly getting used to vista on my new laptop.
If I can figure it out anyone can LOL.

Now you're scaring me. lol
I haven't paid attention in the past to people's comments about Vista...'cause I wasn't in the market for a computer. I like my comfort zone, so to say, and I'm wondering now what Vista is all about. Ack. Doesn't seem like there's much choice in the matter these days, though.

[lvscrapper]

I've had Vista for over a year and I've had no problems. Unlike Janine, I have also had no problems with my HP laptops (2) or desktop to date. It does take a while to figure out where things end up, but once you figure it out, it is not a problem. enjoy your new toy!

[catvinnat]

I love Vista, like all applications just make sure you download the updates and service packs. I think pretty much all the glitches have been ironed out now.
enjoy your new toy when it arrives - I have the 1721 and its a monster - more a desktop replacement than a laptop but a great screen size for scrapping

Catherine

[fit2walk]

I have two HPs running Vista, my laptop and my desktop. Luckily I haven't had any problems (fingers crossed) 'cause I was scared by all the bad press Vista got. While I haven't had a lot of time to explore Vista and play with it because I was spending all my time going through Ro's tutorials in prep for the convention, I do like the few things I've had a chance to try. It's true that it takes longer to load than XP, but I just go fill up my water glass or do a quick chore while it boots up now that I know that. Have fun, Sandi!

[goodqueenbee]

Vista... not my cup of tea, but hey, it came with the scraptop (also HP).

I got mine in June at Costco and took the 14" screen because weight is a problem with my
elbow tendonitis (and I was just out of a month of therapy for that when I bought it!)

I am adjusting to Vista, but still need to keep and use my desktop because many of my programs
need update$ and I cannot afford to do that.

20-20 vision: I would have splurged and got a macbook instead, with PC windows adaptation, so my
programs would be "happy".

I find my pen tablet needs adjusting and did not find anyone at SLC that could help me with that (like What,
we had TIME to do that? LOL)

Have fun! Vista has its own learning curve, but I found changing file viewing to "classic view" helped lots!

[kimmybutton]

Yay, Sandi! Enjoy the new "baby!" While I don't use Windows anymore, I can relate to the excitement of a brand spankin' new 'puter! Congratulations!!!

[Mindy]

I just got a new laptop at the end of August and really didn't have too much troubles adjusting to Vista. There's a few things, like a different path to load some of your scrapping goodies, but that wasn't a big deal. I'll try to find the thread about the Vista paths, because that helped me out tremendously.

[Mindy]

Here's the thread that I was thinking of: http://scrapgirls.com.ipbhost.com/index.ph...p;hl=Vista+path

It's for Vista & PSE5, so I don't know if that will help you or not but Janine's idea of putting the shortcuts to the paths on my desktop has been invaluable. Makes it soooo much easier when you go shopping in the boutique!

Have fun with the new laptop!

[J9Buckles]

Let me clarify ..... while I'm not pleased with my HP, I love Vista. The windows explorer search feature has to be my most favourite thing. When my HP's hard-drive crashed (after only 5 months) I was worried that I would have to rebuild my PSE Organizer but no (!), the search feature makes it even easier and a lot faster to find what I'm looking for. The fact that our designers name things so well is a big help with this.

For instance, if I want to find my Well Loved collection, all I have to do it type WellLoved in the search bar and "voila!" everything is there! If I'm looking for blue embellishments or paper....I type in blue and everything that's blue is found. It's really awesome - take time to play with it.

This week I will take my HP in (again - third time) because they put the wrong new hard drive in (a 120 instead of a 320) and one of the USB ports suddenly stopped working two days ago. So by the end of 6 months I will have had the screen, RAM, one USB port and the hard drive all replaced. The only thing left to go is the motherboard.......I give it two months.

[SandiC.]

Oh, you all have given me such good tips on getting started. I've ordered Vista for Dummies (so fitting for me when it comes to computers), and checking out the links you gave me. I'm really excited and can hardly wait. Shipping in 15-20 days. Now, while I'm waiting for it to arrive, I'm trying to clean up my files, move as much as possible to EHD and take all of my stuff off so DIL, Dana (who wants to start digiscrapping too) can have this laptop back. Right now I have PS CS3 and PSE6 on this one, but I think I'll only move CS3 and leave PSE6 for Dana. We have PSE4 on PC downstairs. I think we have scrapping covered. I'm just thinking of all the possibilities I have now with what seems unlimited HD room. This is almost as big a project as physically moving to a new house.

[sunnie2004]

Boy that stinks Janine I have a biggie HP desk top & I love mine KNOCK ON WOOD Its been fun no problems. but it is like everything i guess you get good & bad of everything washer dryers cars pc's you name it.

so sorry this happened to you

Miss scrappinDoc WOW good for you & congrats on the new pc!! lets us hear how you like it!!!

[Canyon Momma]

A new computer! YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so fun to get a new one. You will love it I am sure.

[jeschaff]

Congratulations on your new addition, Sandi! I'll be interested in knowing how it all works out for you since I'm hoping to upgrade in the near future.

Regarding Vista, I've always wondered if perhaps people don't like it because it's different, not because it's no good. Most people aren't up for the adventure and challenge of learning new tricks. But I think if you can switch from PSE to CSPS, you can also handle the switch from XP to Vista! Just my 2 cents.

[fit2walk]

Janine, I'm so, so sorry to hear about your troubles with HP. I know there are lemons out there and since I have two HPs, I'll just have to hope that it's that particular computer and not the brand.

Sandi, sounds like a good idea to get things cleaned up and organized before moving to the new computer. You're right about it being a big job. I went through it twice in the last few months because we replaced my old desktop plus bought this laptop. It'll be worth it once it's all done! And that's great news that Dana wants to try digi-scrapping. How fun to have somebody close by that you can talk to about it!

[anemone1983]

One more thing I really love that came in Vista (at least Home Premium) was Windows Photo Gallery. I had started tagging stuff in PSE4, but stopped...for no reason. Now I'm on PS CS3 (left PSE4 on my work laptop - just in case). So I don't have the organizer, but after I migrated all of my pictures to the Picture folder, when I opened Photo Gallery, the tags that I had started came with them! I've since also added all of my digi-scrapping products to the Gallery and began tagging them too.

Enjoy!

[scrappinang]

Hi Sandi,

I've had my 'puter for over a year and have had no problems with Vista. I hope that your transition goes as smoothly as mine did!

[needadietcoke]

Just keep an open mind and I bet you'll do fine. I haven't tried it yet, so I know absolutely nothing!

[SandiC.]

My new puter shipped yesterday. I so hope it comes tomorrow. I leave Tuesday for a two week trip to Florida and I'd love to have it up and running to take with me. I should have plenty of time to play on it while I'm away. If it doesn't come until Monday, doubt I'll have time to get it going before I leave. Fingers crossed. I'm so excited. I just know with a new computer I'll now make fabulous LOs. LOL.

[Sarah in VA]

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you get it in time for your trip! Enjoy!

[scrappinang]

scrappin'doc, on Oct 24 2008, 06:53 PM, said:

My new puter shipped yesterday. I so hope it comes tomorrow. I leave Tuesday for a two week trip to Florida and I'd love to have it up and running to take with me. I should have plenty of time to play on it while I'm away. If it doesn't come until Monday, doubt I'll have time to get it going before I leave. Fingers crossed. I'm so excited. I just know with a new computer I'll now make fabulous LOs. LOL.

Like you don't already!?!? I've seen your work and it's awesome! BTW I love your siggy!

For your lack of disappointment, I really do hope you get it tomorrow!

I have my fingers crossed!

[SandiC.]

Its here!!!! But..... I'm leaving early tomorrow morning for a trip to Florida and ther is no way on earth I'll have time to even look at it until I get back. There is no way I'm dragging two laptops all over with me. Its so hard to see it sitting there without me opening it and playing. Still so much to do though. I'm back to the laundry room now. I'll explore it all next Friday when I get home. Being a grown up is so dang hard sometimes.