Which OS?

[witchieblackcat]

Originally Posted by Finless

Are the cable-less keyboards (use Bluetooth to transfer signals?) worth while or just a pain in the batteries?

Some gamers would claim that the response time is not as good as wired peripherals. Not sure if I believe that they can actually tell but there is truth in the claim.

Personally I'd avoid bluetooth peripherals like the plague. They're great until you want to get into the BIOS or your bluetooth has issues.

[MartinS]

Bryan
I've got a non-rechargeable one of those you can have for £15 if you want it?
I just use rechargeable batteries in it and just swap them over when I need to.
Let me know
Martin

Originally Posted by Lazlo

Same thing here, never changed the KB battery in 2 years, mouse batteries didn't last long at all.

So I got one of these:

Cordless Mice > Logitech® Cordless Click!™ Plus Rechargeable Optical Mouse

A bit pricey at first, but the comfort factor was worth the money alone.

Cordless - definitely a good idea IMO.

[Woz]

Wireless kb/mouse don't work with a steel topped desk as I found out.

[rossbale28]

Originally Posted by Finless

I think I'll go for XP Pro with a built in Vista upgrade option - if I can get it.

Hi Finless,

Going for the above will ensure that you have covered all bases, whether just working with another PC to transfer data, whether you have a Server environment to join the PC to, or move to Vista at a later date.

Only thing worth avoiding is Windows XP Media Centre edition - this can't be upgraded to XP Pro, as Home can, and will cause a fair few issues connecting one to the server based network.

Dell have started doing the free vista offer with suitably equipped PC's until end of march next year - as per running vista, my laptop won't run it, and from a support point of view, I will be waiting until it has bedded in (poss Service pack 1) before looking at, however microsoft seem to be getting better and better at getting more reliable software out earlier these days.

HTH.

Ross.

[Eoin]

As I mentioned in a previous post, Vista is very resource hungry, it needs 14GB free space just to install!

[Finless]

Thanks to all for the help, advice and offers.

I still haven't made up my mind and may wait until after Xmas now.

Ref the wireless peripherals, I have been using a wireless mouse (static with roller ball) for a year and am v/happy with it. The wireless keyboard will be a must for me 'cause the cable on my existing one keeps getting caught on .......

Bryan

[EdHornby]

my big issue with Vista (and really you could say this about all the indows OS's if you were being picky) is 'What do you get over and above the new one?'

Chances are, not much that really makes a huge deal of difference.... If I were in Brian's shoes I'd stick with XP, I bet that Vista won't be the promised land MS would have you believe....