imho vista is a large DOWNGRADE from xp.

just bought a new dual core totally maxed out laptop. only comes with vista.

vue 6 infinite extreme runs just fine, as does poser, tg2,etc

however,

vista is so top heavy and dumbed down that after a week i simply cannot stand it anymore. everything takes twice as long even set to classic. simply rebooting computer causes grey hair.

i am installing xp  tomorrow.

my biggest  gripe:

no matter how you set power schemes laptop turns completely off with lid shut after 15 minutes.

i normally start my renders at bedtime. close the lid and leave laptops rendering all night long.

not possible with vista.

spent 45 minutes with MS tech support today. final verdict from MS : install XP. vista cannot be configured to keep running with lid closed beyond 15 minutes regardless of what powerscheme says.

simply amazing

otter