vista is completely new windows..most 32 bit application work though..so dn worry bout compatibility..thus it might need superior hardware esp on visual coz its very visual relistic enviroment..so if u r using xp and its kinda lag..better stay on xp lane..when proggrammer writing os (thousands and billions lines of command)..they dun find flaws..when flaws come..the just patch (adding new line)..not deleted the flaws from command lines..so there will still be flaws even on as many service pack does..so don expect stable os from microsoft :cheers: