Categories

Vista Clues provides Windows Vista help, tips, downloads, and news. If you have a question or tip for Tony, send me an e-mail at qa@vistaclues.com

Site search

Main menu:

Archive

Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared

aero-perf-graph.png

Microsoft funded a study by Principled Technologies to compare the performance of the Windows XP user interface to the Windows Vista Aero interface. Here’s my summary:

  • Comparisons were done with a variety of different computers, some more powerful than others. Naturally, the Aero tests required computers capable of running Aero. So, these results don’t necessarily apply to your old XP computer.
  • With or without Aero, Vista performs about the same on business tasks (like opening Office documents). Some things are faster, some are slower, but it’s a wash overall.
  • Vista with Aero performs about the same as Vista without Aero. So, don’t feel like you need to disable Aero for performance.
  • Though all my computers are capable, I can’t run Aero because screenshots look awful. I’m fine with either interface. I’m just saying, even if Aero did cause a performance impact and you wanted to turn it off, the other Vista improvements more than make up for it.
For more information, read the Windows Vista Resource Kit (co-authored by your very own Tony Northrup). Got a question for Tony? Send an e-mail to qa@vistaclues.com.

del.icio.us:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared digg:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared spurl:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared furl:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared fark:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared blogmarks:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared Y!:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared magnolia:Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared

Comments

Pingback from links for 2007-01-05 | ITsVISTA
Time: January 5, 2007, 10:21 am

[...] Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared [...]

Pingback from How to turn off the fancy Windows Vista Aero interface - Windows Vista help
Time: January 17, 2007, 5:15 pm

[...] Windows Vista has a fancy new Aero interface that makes the windows look like glass and provides very cool 3D effects. Performance tests have shown that Aero won’t slow your computer down. However, you might want to disable Aero if you prefer a simpler user interface or if you need to take screenshots. To disable Windows Aero and return to a simpler time, follow the steps: 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. [...]

Comment from Bob
Time: August 22, 2008, 12:06 am

This article hides the truth, Vista is slower for business processes that run at any length, such as 5 minutes or more. Usually 2x slower on comparable machine.

Write a comment