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About Microsoft Windows "Vista"

LOTS of potential questions and answers here!

I have beta tested the prerelease, both RC1 and RC2, 32bit and 64bit versions.
There are several versions, and I personally use the Ultimate version.

Here are the main details you need to know.

1. Do you 'HAVE-TO' upgrade? No!
XP is planned to be supported by Microsoft for another 10 years; however the support date can change at any point Microsoft desires.

2. What are the main benefits of Vista:
a. Faster startup
b. More secure against viruses (Antivirus built into Operating system)
c. Better built-in hardware testing
d. Improved graphics
e. Runs faster with same equipment as XP. (depending on Ram and CPU).
f. It is yhe new operating system, preinstalled on new computers today.
Note: XP is still being sold and computers can be pre-ordered with XP at this time. (11/30/07)

3. Minimum Specs:
3-d Video card, 512meg of Ram and P3-800meg

REAL specs... Faster is better, and 2gb is Ram is strongly recommended for real performance
I am running Ultimate on a Dual core 1.8 laptop with 2 gig of ram, and it works well.

4. WHEN can you get Vista?
Vista has been shipping with all new computers since Late Jan 2007.

5. Do you have to buy a new PC to get Vista?
No! I will be upgrading computers to Vista, and will have it available on my laptop if you want to view or check it out before ordering and upgrading to it.

6. FIVE! Versions of Windows Vista: (not including the 32bit and 64bit versions!)

Windows Vista Business
Regardless of the size of your organization, Windows Vista Business will help you lower your PC management costs, improve your security, enhance your productivity, and help you stay better connected.

Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to meet the needs of large global organizations with highly complex IT infrastructures. Windows Vista Enterprise can help you lower your IT costs while providing additional layers of protection for your sensitive data.

Windows Vista Home Premium
Whether you choose to use your PC to write e-mail and surf the Internet, for home entertainment, or to track your household expenses, Windows Vista Home Premium delivers a more complete and satisfying computing experience.

Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Basic is designed to deliver improved reliability, security, and usability to home PC users who just want to do the basics with their PCs.

Windows Vista Ultimate
If you want all of the best business features, all of the best mobility features, and all of the best home entertainment features that Windows Vista has to offer, Windows Vista Ultimate is the solution for you. With Windows Vista Ultimate you don't have to compromise.

My opinion?
As I mentioned, I tested Vista (RC1 and RC2) on my 768meg of Ram, AMD-64bit 3200+ laptop with standard 3d graphics, and it was FAST and GREAT!
After Microsoft released the final code, it was 'heavier' than the RC code, running slower on the same platform.

My business laptop, dual core AMD Tl56 with 2 gig of ram runs Vista ultimate well.

It is likely there will be some software application complications when Vista is first released, I've experienced a few incompatibilities, based on the current RC2 (Release candidate 2), but the vendors I've contact say they plan to have those incompatibility issues resolved in Early Feb 2007.

Personally, I can't wait, and look forward to running Vista Ultimate.

Having run Vista for over a year (as of this moment), the technical advancements are incredible! It does require more hardware, as it has more processes running simultaneously.

Links:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx

Note: Beta is 'dangerous' software, and may require deleting all of your information, requiring a reinstall of operating system and applications.
BE GENTLE! - Enter at your own risk!http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

Page content updated 11/30/07