Will WindowBlinds work well on a laptop?
Friday, July 25, 2003 by Astro Lad | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Dell Latitude D600
14.1”TFT, Pm 1.4GHz, 512MB, 30GB HD, swappable DVD-ROM / CD-RW, Ethernet, integrated wireless card, Internal 56k modem, Windows XP Professional, 3 year on-site, global warranty with Complete Care, No floppy, Wt.: Starting at 4.68 lbs.
Will it affect performance a lot? How about power usage?
14.1”TFT, Pm 1.4GHz, 512MB, 30GB HD, swappable DVD-ROM / CD-RW, Ethernet, integrated wireless card, Internal 56k modem, Windows XP Professional, 3 year on-site, global warranty with Complete Care, No floppy, Wt.: Starting at 4.68 lbs.
Will it affect performance a lot? How about power usage?
 |
|
Page 1 of 2 | |
|
|---|
Astro Lad
Reply #2 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:08 PM
Reply #2 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:08 PM
Do you mean it will increase power usage? I know certain programs do. I'm new to the worlds of XP, laptops, and skinning, so pardon my noobism.
Michael Ficarra
Reply #3 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:09 PM
Reply #3 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:09 PM
It will run just like it does on a desktop. It will HELP your performance if you use it instead of the default them. So use it already! 
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #4 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:15 PM
Reply #4 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:15 PM
Check future builds of WB to include an antigrav feature for notebook users that will allow the unit to float 
(WB should run fine on a notebook)
(WB should run fine on a notebook)
Astro Lad
Reply #5 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:16 PM
Reply #5 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:16 PM
Just a question then, why does everyone say Blinds is a "resource hog?" Even the CNET review stresses that resource usage issues aren't ironed out in the new version. Is this true? From what I've seen, I like the Blinds themes the best, so I ask these questions as my last hurdle to getting the program.
Also, what are the key advantages of the full version compared to the freeware?
Also, what are the key advantages of the full version compared to the freeware?
Michael Ficarra
Reply #6 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:19 PM
Reply #6 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:19 PM
COMPLETE LIES! Where did you read this. Maybe Desktop X a little, but not at all for Windowblinds. Refer to post 3.
Astro Lad
Reply #7 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:22 PM
Reply #7 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:22 PM
Here is the full review:
http://reviews.cnet.com/WindowBlinds_3_1A/4505-3514_7-8669002-2.html?tag=review
Here is the excerpt in question:
"Some systems may experience a performance hit while running WindowBlinds. Stardock claims that WindowsBlinds 3.1A uses less memory than Windows XP's own equivalent visual styles. It's true that most 3.1A skins are small; many of the XP-specific skins we downloaded were less than 200K.
But even on our Pentium III-900 with 256MB of memory running XP Pro, WindowBlinds 3.1A put the dampers on some activities. Internet Explorer 6 crashed and locked up several times until we excluded it from using skins. And with numerous windows open, some skins slowed down screen redraws, scrolling, and window dragging. Slower systems equipped with memory-skimpy video cards will run even slower. Our advice: Try WindowBlinds and numerous skins before registering. Your $20 registration will give you color customization and skinnable scroll bars but meager tech support: just a short FAQ file, an almost worthless help file, a support e-mail address, and, best of the bunch, a newsgroup where you can ask questions of knowledgeable WindowBlinds users."
http://reviews.cnet.com/WindowBlinds_3_1A/4505-3514_7-8669002-2.html?tag=review
Here is the excerpt in question:
"Some systems may experience a performance hit while running WindowBlinds. Stardock claims that WindowsBlinds 3.1A uses less memory than Windows XP's own equivalent visual styles. It's true that most 3.1A skins are small; many of the XP-specific skins we downloaded were less than 200K.
But even on our Pentium III-900 with 256MB of memory running XP Pro, WindowBlinds 3.1A put the dampers on some activities. Internet Explorer 6 crashed and locked up several times until we excluded it from using skins. And with numerous windows open, some skins slowed down screen redraws, scrolling, and window dragging. Slower systems equipped with memory-skimpy video cards will run even slower. Our advice: Try WindowBlinds and numerous skins before registering. Your $20 registration will give you color customization and skinnable scroll bars but meager tech support: just a short FAQ file, an almost worthless help file, a support e-mail address, and, best of the bunch, a newsgroup where you can ask questions of knowledgeable WindowBlinds users."
Michael Ficarra
Reply #8 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:27 PM
Reply #8 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:27 PM
Try getting Windowblinds 4. It's a lot better. Windowblinds 3.1a was a lot slower. Well, not that much. And you have half a gH faster machine. It should run with no problems. And don't mention StyleXP around here on the boards.
Michael Ficarra
Reply #9 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:29 PM
Reply #9 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:29 PM
And that's a pretty harsh review. Windowblinds 3.1 ALPHA wasn't that bad. Windowblinds 4.1 is MUCH better, though.
Astro Lad
Reply #10 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:30 PM
Reply #10 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:30 PM
Oh yeah, okay; I do have 4.1 installed on my comp. When I buy the full version, does it replace the version I have or do I have to manually uninstall that?
Michael Ficarra
Reply #11 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:48 PM
Reply #11 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:48 PM
You CAN install over the free one, but I would highly recommend copying your skins to a temporary folder and uninstalling the free one, then installing the pay one.
sig101
Reply #12 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:49 PM
Reply #12 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:49 PM
That's really an amazing review. My old PC is a PII 350/256 RAM with WB 3.5 and evidently it outperforms that reviewer's PIII 900/256 with XP. 
I used WB quite happily on my old W98 PC (where resources were very much an issue) so I can't imagine WB having that much of an effect on a newer PC with XP.
I used WB quite happily on my old W98 PC (where resources were very much an issue) so I can't imagine WB having that much of an effect on a newer PC with XP.
sig101
Reply #13 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:52 PM
Reply #13 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:52 PM
Yeah, I uninstalled the freeware and did a clean install of the enhanced version too. Just backup any skins you downloaded as noted.
Astro Lad
Reply #14 Friday, July 25, 2003 3:49 PM
Reply #14 Friday, July 25, 2003 3:49 PM
Should I buy the whole Object Desktop Suite or do I just need WindowBlinds? I'd like to have my whole desktop skinned, can WindowBlinds do this or do I need the other programs too?
coffeegrinder
Reply #15 Friday, July 25, 2003 4:08 PM
Reply #15 Friday, July 25, 2003 4:08 PM
Once you start you want to go further so invest in Object Desktop, you can't lose!
Frogboy
Reply #16 Friday, July 25, 2003 6:09 PM
Reply #16 Friday, July 25, 2003 6:09 PM
I use it on my laptop. I also use it on my Tablet PC.
Michael Ficarra
Reply #17 Friday, July 25, 2003 6:46 PM
Reply #17 Friday, July 25, 2003 6:46 PM
OH MAN! I want a tablet PC! 
They're SOO cool. And definately get the whole Object Desktop. You will surely want Desktop X , Skinstudio, and Iconpackager. It will customize evrything on your desktop and more. I love Desktop X 2!
They're SOO cool. And definately get the whole Object Desktop. You will surely want Desktop X , Skinstudio, and Iconpackager. It will customize evrything on your desktop and more. I love Desktop X 2!
Michael Ficarra
Reply #18 Friday, July 25, 2003 6:47 PM
Reply #18 Friday, July 25, 2003 6:47 PM
And Astro Lad, I had these same questions at first. Don't feel nooby.
Leo the Lion
Reply #19 Saturday, July 26, 2003 12:16 AM
Reply #19 Saturday, July 26, 2003 12:16 AM
Astro Lad...........go the whole hog........get Object Desktop and Cursor XP.........you will not regret it 
Jafo
Reply #20 Saturday, July 26, 2003 12:28 AM
Reply #20 Saturday, July 26, 2003 12:28 AM
XP Pro on 256 meg of ram is bad enough as it is.....talk about nobbling a horse...512 is more sensible...
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
|
|
Page 1 of 2 | |
|
|---|
Reply #1 Friday, July 25, 2003 2:05 PM
It will add .00000001 grams of weight but otherwise the only effects are good ones.
performance - yep, it will run faster than Luna
power usage - yep, it will make you a true power usager