Aluminum windows seem outdated is this true?

On the whole, aluminum windows have been outstripped by vinyl technologies, mainly due to the fact that vinyl does not conduct heat like aluminum. Beyond performance issues, aluminum has also risen in cost. One advantage of aluminum is that it can be painted where vinyl can not. Despite the fact that aluminum can be painted, it scratches easily. If your replacement windows are going into anything besides a trailer or mobile home, do not purchase aluminum, period. 

The fact that a 90-degree day can turn the frames of your aluminum windows into 200-degree hot plates that cause seal failure is a major reason aluminum frames are being phased out of most product lines. Forget about the seals for a minute and think of how much of that heat is transferred into your home. Aluminum windows are also prone to issues with opening and closing, as well as condensation. In the end, you may end up spending more on maintenance and inflated energy bills. Sure, they're great when they go in, but one to two years later and they simply weren't worth the investment. 

The top-of-the-line windows are wood, although it's expensive. For those unable to afford wood, vinyl is a huge step-up over aluminum and should certainly be considered well before conceding to cheap aluminum.