Upgrading computer - Vista Yes or no?

[alpmeadow]

Golden Greetings
My XP computer loves SU, GE and all the other XP friendly software and graphics, but it is not portable. I am looking for advice on purchasing a new laptop(sorry I can't jump to apple), that may get me into "Vista, graphics and software upgrade" issues. I have seen posts like http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=2507&p=11577&hilit=vista#p11577
where SU Vista etc problems are discussed.

It sounds like I should wait until Vista + graphics upgrade problems go away or or get XP operated laptop. Is there advice on preferred laptop models, setups and recommended ways to avoid traps, glitches and GIGO(garbage in = garbage out). I am remote and 6 hours return drive from most service and tech support.

Thanks for your advice to smooth out the pending tempest. I trust that it will help me and others facing the upgrade dilemma. I'm sure there are other forums to ask but I'll start here?
Alpmeadow
Pentium 4 CPU 2.4G, .5G Ram Nvidia GeForce2 with XP home

[remus]

Ive never had any problems with SU and vista, and you don't often hear aobut them, its usually more to do with graphics drivers and (intellipoint) mouse software

In terms of purchasing a laptop for SU stuff, the things to look out for are a dual core processor with a highish clock rate (2.4 ghz or thereabouts) and a proper graphics card. Of the two the graphics card is probably the most important, lots of laptps use integrated graphics to save money, but these dont work with SU.

If you can, go for a quadro graphics card as they generally have the best drivers for supporting openGL (the thing SU uses)

Its also very important do shop around, as different places have deals on all the time, and dont feel presured to buy a computer, i can sometimes be worth waiting for a it to try and get the best deal possible.