Some Final Thoughts on Vista

This is the week...the big one for Bill Gates and his boys and girls at Microsoft. The new operating system, Windows Vista, goes public on Tuesday. And the question still begs..."Should you get it?"

Well let me throw out a few more kernels of thought that might help. Just this last week, CNET reviewed four of the six flavors of Vista. Here is the bottom line on all four of their reviews:

"The bottom line: Windows Vista Home Basic is essentially warmed-over Windows XP, Windows XP SP3. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use."

If memory serves, that was my recommendation a couple of weeks ago when I talked about whether or not to upgrade. And from reading other reviews, if you do decide to go with a new computer, make sure it has a dual processor and probably 2 Gb of memory. Of course, after Tuesday, you will have no choice but to go with Vista on your new computer, but from what CNET and others say, there is nothing wrong with it.

And if I were to buy a new computer, I would make sure that it came with the Home Premium Version, as the Basic Version does not come with Aero, which is arguably the best (and sexiest) part of Vista.

If you want to know what is the difference between the different Vista's, CNET also put a very good chart together that might help you. It is on their website. By the way, this chart only compares four of the versions...the other two are a special server program for larger businesses and a very stripped-down version to be used in developing and third-world countries. The four on the chart will be the ones you choose from.

One of the things I did to prepare for this blog, was to do a Google search on "reasons to upgrade to Vista." Here are a few links to websites that had some good information on the subject.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ttpcworld/20060210/tc_techtues_pcworld/124642

http://www.btxformfactor.com/item/35/1.php

http://apcmag.com/5082/10_reasons_you_should_get_vista

And finally a link to a website that put together a satirical list in the form of David Letterman's Top Ten Reasons...
http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/03/top-11-reasons-to-upgrade-to-windows-vista.html