No you can run X2 under Vista. However its not supported on Vista. Plus I found it a bit flaky on Vista. Not so under Windows 8. 

X1 Ex D was solid on Vista. There is nothing wrong with Windows 7 in my view except its no longer the current OS.  Vista is being dropped by an increasing numbers of developers.  In other words it has no future.  Its a matter of time for that to happen to Windows 7 too. 


Here is a good review of Windows 8.

I am not sure if one of my questions got answered or not ---- if I do stay with X1 for the time being and do decide to upgrade my PC to Win 8 (their analysis program says my PC can run it) will it mess up my X1 in any way?

The real question is whether X2 will continue to run on earlier versions of Windows once the Windows 8 compatibility update is released. That update reportedly will not be compatible with Windows 7, and it seems quite possible that future updates/fixes may reference that code as well. In that case you may be forced to move to Windows 8 to get your X2 bugs fixed in the pretty near future. A clear statement about continuing support for Windows 7 users of X2 would be helpful.

slartabartfast


The real question is whether X2 will continue to run on earlier versions of Windows once the Windows 8 compatibility update is released. That update reportedly will not be compatible with Windows 7, and it seems quite possible that future updates/fixes may reference that code as well. In that case you may be forced to move to Windows 8 to get your X2 bugs fixed in the pretty near future. A clear statement about continuing support for Windows 7 users of X2 would be helpful.

Thats not what I understand. It will be compatible with Windows 7. Its Vista that it may not work on. Right now Vista is no longer supported by CW at all for X2.  None the less, its Windows 8 that is the new kid on the block and will be supported for a while to come. 

I am one of the schlubs that still at Vista with X1 and want to upgrade to X2. So advice on my jumping up to just 7 or should I go right to 8.

I was not a Vista fan, but I loved Windows 7. However, I went with Windows 8 and with the addition of a free Start Button app, I am fine with Windows 8. It gives you a combination of Windows 7 with the "Metro" start menu which is like a Smart Phone. Sonar works just as well with Windows 8 and since Windows 8 Pro is only $39, I think its a bargain. 

X2 on Win 8 has been solid for me...

Apart from my IK Mutlimedia Stand Alones not working
it has been great...and my IK VST's work fine in X2,

it's just the stand alones that don't recognize the
Win 8 Quad Capture driver...

As I stated elsewhere...I hope IK get's their programs
updated SOON!

Still trying to find out the answer to this question ----Will upgrading to Win 8 interfere in any way with my current X1

If you upgrade to Windows 8 I don't think that you can do it and have your programs intact going from Vista. You will have to re-install Sonar and all of your programs.

I have X2 running on Vista an so far I have not encountered any issues, if I upgrade it will be to Win 8 but I am in no rush. I am planning on a new DAW next year so if possible I will hang on until then.

I doubt if IK will patch the stand-alone Sampletank stuff for windows, its pretty old now and the release of Sampletank 3 has been pushed back and back. On the otherhand as Win 8 is also for tablets and that is the market where IK see the money they may do something.

Cody


If you upgrade to Windows 8 I don't think that you can do it and have your programs intact going from Vista. You will have to re-install Sonar and all of your programs.

I think a clean install is the best policy in any case. (Even a clean install of your existing operating system is likley to result in a performance boost). That said it's the time it would take to reinstall and set up everything that puts me off upgrading for the time being.