Wait! Don't buy Windows Vista! Microsoft's new OS is the best Windows ever. But don't buy it!

Computer World ^ | January 25, 2007 | Mike Elgan

[CedarDave]

Unless you've recently emerged from a coma, you know the consumer versions of Microsoft's new Vista operating system ship Tuesday. This column is not a review of Windows Vista. ... This article is for those of you who are about to download or purchase Windows Vista and install it on a PC. I'm here to talk you out of it. ...Here's why.

1. Vista is incomplete

Microsoft is already planning its first service pack .... Vista probably won't be truly ready for prime time until that first service pack version, possibly later this year.

The hardware and software companies that make compatible products for Vista aren't all ready for the new OS. ... Most importantly, not all video and sound card companies are ready.

~~ snip ~~

2. Vista is expensive

Microsoft offers three versions of Vista to home users in the U.S. ...

~~ snip ~~

3. Vista wants a new PC

To get full value from Vista, you're probably going to want to buy a new, Vista-optimized PC. Many of the benefits of Vista require hardware your current PC doesn't have.

~~ snip ~~

4. Vista is time-consuming

Installing any new operating system is time-consuming. You have to configure everything, load your data, install your applications and get your peripherals working. Then, in the case of Vista, you have to figure out where Microsoft buried all the options, menus and features ....

~~ snip ~~

5. Windows XP isn't obsolete

Vista ... doesn't really "solve" any existing problem. Windows XP ... is a solid, well-understood and highly functional operating system. ... Microsoft itself has committed to at least seven more years of XP support, and even plans a Service Pack 3 next year.

~~ snip ~~

6. Vista may be the best reason yet to buy a Mac

[Dont Mention the War]

Dell has just this week started selling PCs without Windows preinstalled. Go to their site and search for the "n-series".

[CedarDave]

Dell has just this week started selling PCs without Windows preinstalled. Go to their site and search for the "n-series".

That sounds like an improvement. Maybe because of the popularity of Linux?

But in reply to Tomcorn, except for Dell and their "n-series", if I buy a computer with Windows from a major company, I'm 100% stuck with Vista, whether I want it or not as the OEM install? So unless I buy from Dell, I'm looking at finding a local supplier to build me a computer and install a copy of XP bought from Ebay.

[rzeznikj at stout]

[Shimmer128]

Pay attention to this too. Stay with XP for now.

[martin_fierro]

Or skip Vista altogether and try Linux on your existing machine.

[cowboyway]

Back in the days of DOS

Back in the days of DOS, I bought my first Mac. My latest one shipped yesterday.

Windows......hahahahahaha

[MaryFromMichigan]

My latest one shipped yesterday.

Good for you!
What did you get?
We just got a 17 inch Mac Pro laptop and 2 video iPods to keep it company!

Yep. I'm happy!

:)

[Repeal The 17th]

I'm still happily using win98 on my stand-by machine.
I was going to upgrade it to xp but could not find a driver for my 5 1/4" drive.

[Tribune7]

You know, I kind of liked DOS.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Far too many people are sticking with hardware they by all rights should have tossed out the window years ago.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[cowboyway]

The 20" iMac. I'll put my 4 year old iMac in the basement and put the new one in the loft office. I don't have much space, so the fewer 'boxes' and cables, the better.

I've still got my first Mac in a closet at home. A couple of other ones went with the ex-battle-axe.

[ShadowAce]

[ShadowAce]

My applications are not compatible with Windows. I'll stick to what's easier and more powerful.

[cowboyway]

1. Vista is incomplete

Microsoft is already planning its first service pack ....

[Richard Kimball]

We store more data than at any time in the history of the planet, and store it more impermanently. At first, my thought on reading your post was, "What a clone! Why would anyone want to use a 5 1/4 inch floppy today?" Then I thought about the fact that there's probably nobody on my entire campus that can read from a 5 1/4 inch floppy anymore, and what happens if you need information from one? My experience has also been that most stored media over eight years old has started to degrade anyway.

I think most stuff that's needed is ported over to a new storage methodology before the old one completely goes away. Flash drives have just about eliminated the floppy disk altogether, and the large cheap arrays may make portable hard drives the replacement for the DVD.

[KoRn]

"I'm looking at finding a local supplier to build me a computer"

Build it yourself. It's easy, and you get allot more for your money!

Look Here

[Doohickey]

This is an idiotic story. What's your agenda?

1. Vista is incomplete

Microsoft and other software vendors are always working on the next service pack or release. That's how software developers stay employed.

2. Vista is expensive

Home Basic costs about the same as XP Home. You want more features, you pay more. Pretty simple.

3. Vista wants a new PC

You mean, like my wife's three year old Inspiron 8600? It runs Vista Business just fine, thanks. Including Aero.

4. Vista is time-consuming

Installing any new operating system is time-consuming. You have to configure everything, load your data, install your applications and get your peripherals working. Then, in the case of Vista, you have to figure out where Microsoft buried all the options, menus and features ....

This was the most idiotic rant yet. First the author bitches about change, then recommends...a Mac. Upgrades from XP take 45 minutes to an hour - and they work, as long as you pay attention to what the upgrade advisor tells you.

So, Dave. Again, What's your agenda?

[antiRepublicrat]

Look Here

Newegg rocks! But a while ago here we tried building a base Mac Pro off of Newegg parts and couldn't get the price as cheap as what Apple sold the Mac Pro for. That didn't even include an OS or software. It could be different now, but building yourself isn't always cheaper, as the OEMs get crazy volume discounts on the parts. They especially get SWEET deals with Intel to stick with their chips over AMD.

[Egon]

This is a good thing. Far too many people are sticking with hardware they by all rights should have tossed out the window years ago.

Dear Terpfen,

Please send me $1800. Freepmail me for account information.

Love, Egon

[KoRn]

Very true. With the cost of the OS and everything else it can get pricey. I just have a certain level of romance with building my own systems, and it can be relatively cheap especially for a simple low end machine if all you are doing is internet, ect.

I'm going to be building a new one soon. I'm thinking dual, dual core processors. I've doing planning for a small power plant with about 8GB of RAM. hehe