I now have conclusive proof that Vista is 'apparently' every bit as fast as XP..

For all of these tests, I followed exactly the same procedures each time. The installations are on individual drives in the same machine, not set up as dual boot. The applications installed are the same types, as are the amount of startup items and types the same. OK, ready?

0 - 60 .. The morning rush..

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2:

Walked up to the desk and hit the power button, filled up the kettle with a view to making a cup of green tea, lit a cigarette and looked out of the window at the freezing rain. On returning to the desk, I looked at the screen and, sure enough, XP was locked and loaded.

Microsoft Windows Vista SP1:

Repeated procedure as outlined above and, sure enough, Vista was locked and loaded.

Conclusion:

A 'dead' heat.. Way to go XP and Vista

30 - 50 .. Let's get started..

Microsoft Word 2003 running on Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2:

Clicked on the Word icon, rearranged the in-basket/out-basket, re-aligned the keyboard and mouse, glanced out of the window at the continuing freezing rain, checked the printer for paper, looked back at the screen and, sure enough, MS Word was locked and loaded.

Microsoft Word 2007 running on Microsoft Windows Vista SP1:

Repeated procedure as outlined above and, sure enough, Word was locked and loaded.

Conclusion:

A 'dead' heat.. Way to go Word 2003 and 2007

50 - 70 .. Reboot because MS Outlook has locked up again..

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2:

Pressed the reset button, filled up the kettle with a view to making a cup of green tea, lit a cigarette and looked out of the window at the freezing rain. On returning to the desk, I looked at the screen and, sure enough, XP was locked and loaded.

Microsoft Windows Vista SP1:

Repeated procedure as outlined above and, sure enough, Vista was locked and loaded.

Conclusion:

A 'dead' heat.. Way to go XP and Vista.

70 - 100 .. The big push..

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2:

Opened two Explorer Windows, one local, the other on a networked XP machine. Selected all of the folders and files contained in one partition, and dragged them to the 'network' window. Knew it would take a while, so went down to the store to get some more tea bags as the freezing rain had now quit. On returning, I noted that all folders and files had been transferred.

Microsoft Windows Vista SP1:

Repeated procedure as outlined above, noting that all folders and files had been transferred.

Conclusion:

A 'dead' heat.. Way to go XP and Vista.

Welcome to the real world of computing..