Vista, Microsoft’s new operating system

Good News and Bad News

Well it’s June of 2007, and a lot of hardware manufacturers have caught up to Vista.  (Look for the Vista Ready logo) Vista is still more secure than XPsp2b.  (Harder to be hacked by a 3^rd world country cartel)

First, the good News:

You can buy Vista Basic laptops for under $500 (tax and delivery included).  The Vista Premium and business laptops start about $900 and Ultimate about $1300.  However, most of these starting prices are just that—starting prices.  Even the basic Vista may need more ram, a better video card and the aero vista’s you may need more ram, and a extra battery pack or a really good battery or a bigger hard drive etc….Just be warned—the cheap price will probably (not always) mean adding on later to get the performance you desire.

Desktop computers can be even less expensive than the laptops. For Vista Basic to run you need 512 megs of ram and a Directx 9c video card with 64megs or more (see specs below, and double them) which is just in most cases, an upgrade. You get the security but not the flashy stuff.  For the Aero skews (Premium, Business, and Ultimate) the computer (box) starts about $500 on the cheap using Vista Ready parts! However, Ultimate is between $700 to 800.  Most (not all) of these will run “Windows Experience Ratings” between 2 and 4 (5.9 being best).

So if you are planning on getting a Vista Computer, figure out what you really want to use it for.  If you are like me and just use office and the browser 90% of the time then get the 64bit Vista because that is where we are heading.

Now the bad news: 

Only about 7% of the computers pre Vista release would upgrade to Vista Aero (Premium, Business, and Ultimate).  Those computers that have “cracked” applications (programs) and some pictures and videos downloaded and those programs that claim to fix your problem if you click here now from the internet have spyware and Trojans in them, Vista will not load up successfully.  Furthermore a lot of the software manufactures have not updated or written software for the 64bit Vista yet.

A lot (not all) of system builders will not touch Vista because they are still trying to integrate the old hardware parts with the new ones and they are running into problems.  Hard core gamers (not all) have problems with Vista because their favorite games will not run on Vista.  Crackers, hackers, freakers and carriers, well, their problems are evident. 

Some reputable system builders and solution providers are saying Vista has too many problems and to wait until sp1 comes out.  Don’t get me wrong – Vista is not perfect, but Vista is Vista.  Ultimate is not going to mysteriously start running on a P3 computer or your mp3 player or camera built in 2004 when sp1 comes out.  The only real reasons to not go to a Vista Computer is because it is not feasible (ex: not enough funds to get what you want or applications you use will not work on Vista) at this time. 

System Requirements for Vista PC
Level	Windows Vista Premium Ready PC	Windows Vista Basic
Processor	1GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor or better	800MHz 32-bit(x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor or better
System Memory	1GB or more	512MB or more
GPU	Windows Aero Capable	SVGA (800X600)
Graphics Memory	128 MB or better	64MB or better
HDD	40GB or more	20GB  or more
HDD free space	15GB	15GB
Optical Drive	DVD-ROM drive	DVD-ROM drive

v  Does the product perform as describe? Yes it does, especially on a Vista Ready Computer and it is definitely more secure than XP

v  Any problems with the product, from a normal users view?

Upgrading from XP to aero glass skew, vista's is chalked full of unforeseen problems due to incompatible or outdated hardware and software.

v  Does it exceed its standards?

In a few areas it does exceed the standard and Ready boost is one of them.

Vista meets the standard of a secure operating system.

Upgrading your old computer to Vista it does not meet the standard, but if you are in the market for a NEW computer (and your favorite software will run on it) GET VISTA NOW! (Before they find out it works and the prices go up)