Pavilion dv6447om and dv6911om

Pretty much every component on these computers is different: cpu (core1 duo vs. core2 duo), wireless (intel a/b/g vs. intel a/g/n), video card (intel 950 vs. something that isn't 950). So from a driver/compatibility standpoint, you might as well buy a whole different computer. But, IMO, the dv6911 isn't too shaby so it'd be a worthy upgrade.

I'm not sure since I'm an amd/broadcom/nvidia user but getting drivers for XP usually isn't that difficult.

I agree with dr/owned on all counts: Although on the surface they are "similar" models, yes, the drivers will be different.

At the same time, the new notebook you are looking at appears a good replacement, and although nothing is a "lock", you should be able to wrangle XP drivers for it.

I will say this: IMHO, it makes little sense to buy notebooks (or desktops) with an OS that you do not plan on using. There are notebooks out there (though the number is shrinking!) that can come pre-configured with XP, and if you want a "guaranteed" seamless transition, well, then get one with XP!

I must say however, and don't get me wrong, I do not "knock" people's preferences, but why XP Pro? It is after all a discontinued OS, which will only get more difficult to match up programs/hardware with in the future?

Were you a "gamer", from a performance point of view I might see it, but with either your old, or proposed new notebook...neither of these are gaming rigs with integrated graphics, right?

Outside of a relatively small handful of older software, most software runs just fine with Vista, and you are ensuring future compatibility (at least for a longer period of time). Most of the early angst with Vista has been largely corrected, both by MS updates, but also hardware/software manufacturers making their adjustments as well. Why saddle a new computer, with an outdated OS?

Yep, that will do it! It may take a little hunting 'em down, but you should be able to get drivers, although the newer the notebook, the more possible that you mayl not end up with complete hardware/feature usage. As much as I like HP notebooks, that is why I mentioned considering a model that can be bought pre-configured with XP.

I can say from personal experience with Vista- the original complaints about Vista still exist even after SP1 and all their "compatibility" updates. Officially XP won't be discontinued until 2010 when they stop releasing updates for it.

Again, not wanting to turn this into a Vista vs. XP thread, but the fact that SOOOOOO many people are more willing to use a 6 year old OS over Vista says a lot. You mentioned the computers with an option to install XP. Unfortunately there isn't many (if any) budget notebooks that give that option....which is such a shame. If I couldn't get XP on this computer I would have just gone with Ubuntu than using Vista in all it's bloated glory.

And I found that on my "new" laptop, Vista is just insanely slow compared to XP....even with Aero turned off. The truth is Microsoft just bloated XP down with graphics, paranoid security features, and changed just enough to make it more difficult to use and called it Vista so they could sell more licenses for "the latest and greatest" OS.

(and I forgot to mention they managed to make it buggy as hell in the process)

From my experience, HP's are fairly straightforward to get to XP.

Any current laptop models can support xp, many manufacturers offer the xp disk with it. One important note, while it is "easy" to install XP, many special features (special keys, mative media apps ...) pertaining to that particular model might not work; simply saying the manufacturer itself will stick with vista platform for these extra functionalities.

cheers ...