Windows Vista SP1 vs. Windows XP SP3?

As both the Service Packs are out now can some one tell me which one is better and why?. Actually i have a old Laptop Acer 4060 with Intel Centrino 1.7GHz, 1GB Ram and currently using windows xp sp2 and scare of the security holes init. I want to upgrade my OS with Windows XP SP3 or may be buy Windows Vista SP1. But, i still in a rush of which one should i select that could help in business productivity, faster in use and definately fast in surfing web. I don't have any special software that i think i need after the upgrade. So, the compability is not a issue for me.

I tried the Windows Vista without Service pack on my system and found it liitle slow then XP SP2. As the new SP for windows vista is out now and i don't tried it yet and belief that may be M$ improved it's performace little bit. Do any one tried it practically?

Vista SP1 is better in my opinion and yes, SP1 did speed up Vista a little bit.

A fresh install of Vista (Don't use the upgrade option, format and install) should run nicely on your computer, so you could really go with either

well try running microsofts vista upgrade program before you spend $1 on vista because it will tell you if your system can run vista both software as well as hardware is vista capable
older machines cant do it without lots of upgrades which means more money then just buying a new unit preloaded with vista...as far as downloading xp spk3 microsoft has not released a full authorized version but the 4 ones that are available(beta) the highest number reveles the best of the betas and still a risk thats why microsft has not publically release it just yet..

I would recommend XP SP3. A laptop like that will not run Vista that well without some upgrades; also, if it is somewhat old (more than 3 years or so), it may not even support Vista. Plus you will need to buy Vista; SP3 can be downloaded for free.

They are barely comparable, and are very different beasts.

get SP3, it's free. Then go out and find someone with Vista, and try it out for a while...your comp may be a little slow for it, unless it's a Core 2 Duo Centrino...

well i have a AMD athlon (tm) 64 processor 3800+ at 2.40GHz
and 2GB of ddr2 ram
and a g-force nvidia 7300GT 512MB

and im running windows vista ultimate sp1 and it as fast as my windows xp media center edition. But for your computer not only upgrading the ram will do just stick with xp until you buy a new computer that brings vista sp1 installed like that u wont have any compatibility problems!.......sp1 for vista - makes it less buggier and faster(less buggier as in more hardware and software is compatible with the O.S)

and my computer only cost me $300 USD so is not allot for a pc that plays most of the games out and runs vista ultimate as smooth as xp!!!

but for bussines productivity vista sp1 is the best O.S
hands down!!!