NEWS
Jan 25 2007: Microsoft extends Windows XP service life.
April 2009, the previously planned end of the Windows XP lifecycle has been pushed 5 years further.
Microsoft will be giving the support service for a fee, and will continue to publish fixes and updates for the 2002 version of there dominant, widely deployed operating system.
The XP editions for businesses come with 10 years warrantee, now the consumer retail editions have the same warrantee, Microsoft probably took this step since they will still have to develop patches and fixes for enterprise customers. - Please note, Windows XP comes with 90 days of free Technical Support to its users, Support here does not refer to your casual phone or email support. |
Things to consider before you buy VISTA
The first thing to do before you buy is find out if you need Windows Vista in the first place,
You can do that by looking at our website, Yet, if you are sure you want it, Simply go to second step :)
The second thing is to find out what edition of vista you want to buy, The best way to find out which of the 4 editions you need is to see the Compare Vista Home Premium to Vista Business, this will help you do that without going through a comparison of all Vista editions, More on how that can be done is on the page,
Also if you buy an edition and you find out that you have bought the wrong edition, There is a feature from Microsoft called WindowsAnytimeUpgrade that allows you to upgrade to a higher edition (usually the Ultimate edition).
Windows Vista - is it worth the $400?
Over 5 years have passed since windows XP was released, Windows vista will be out by the end of January, but is this operating system worth all the money you need to pay ?.
Windows Vista Editions.
Windows Vista comes in 6 sizes, every size can come as an upgrade or as a full package, the upgrade applies to windows XP users and windows 2000 users, Windows vista pricing (official) starts at $100 through $259 for upgrading and from $199 to $399 for the complete package.
Click here for a complete comparison between editions
As for buying windows vista, the options are not so many at the minute, all you can do is pre-order at the official price, you can see
the price list on the right margin, Although you will get a refund if once released the price is taken down, Buying Vista online is a very good choice because the best price is expected to be online.
Intro - Preface
I have been monitoring Vista, and investigating all of its aspects ever since the early days of LongHorn, and i must say i am anything but pleased. Then again what i look for in an operating system is not necessarily what you are looking for, So i will lay it down for you here, and you decide
There is a lot of change in this windows release, some of it for the better, Some of it comes at your expense and carry no benefit (to you), Windows Vista is more demanding hardware wise, and sometimes the extra cost is not justified from your point of view.
To give just an example of how some features you paid for are not meant to benefit you, resources are used to protect premium content (DVD video, blue ray disks, or Super Audio CD's for example), this is what Microsoft considers premium content, and therefore you need to buy extra hardware to protect that content (from you).
Also, not all devices on the network are working as they should, and the reason for that is that Windows networking has changed, and the change is possibly (but without making any assumption of probability) driven by the microsoft urge to render Linux and other operating systems incompatible and less useful, but as a result, my network storage does not work properly anymore especially when password protected.
To make a long story short, it is probably too early to pay $400 for something before the need arises, But will the need arise ?
The need will probably arise, not because it is a far more advanced system, but rather because Microsoft windows is the dominant operating system on the market, Soon enough developers will start making software for Vista that will probably not work on windows XP and windows 2000, for as you can imagine Vista is a bit different.
On this website, i do not intend to focus on the negative or positive sides of windows vista, i intend to be as objective as possible, and find out if windows vista is really worth your money, and to help you make up your mind on that issue, but if i were you, and i decided to adopt vista early, i would keep a copy of windows XP installed on my machine, Vista comes with some deliberate limitations that were imposed and did not exist in windows XP.
Why this little change from XP took so long you may ask, At the time Windows Vista was being developed, The Microsoft Windows team had to update windows XP's features and patch security vulnerabilities on XP (issue service packs).
Here i will tell you a little bit about every aspect of windows vista, what has changed and what has not, and you can then see the other pages for more in-depth information about every aspect.
Windows vista is not cheap, and to buy it without having hardware to support it is an awful waste of money, in fact, you should not buy it if you only meet the minimum requirements to run it, since you need more system resources to run other programs on it, Read this section to see if your existing hardware is worthy of the investment.
Not much has changed when it comes to Windows setup, sure the looks are all different in vista setup, but that is not really part of the installation process but rather part of the graphics, the thing is that you can no longer format into fat32 using windows vista installation program, the only system that is used is NTFS, and without NTFS much of vistas functionality is lost.
Windows Aero is the new windows interface, Built to utilize the 3d accelerator in your graphics adapter rather than the old Microsoft GDI that lacks the animation abilities, the 3d accelerator in your graphics card is nothing new, and game manufacturers have been properly utilizing it for ages, the result of this utilization is for example Flip and Flip 3D, when this feature is enabled you can scroll through windows that appear in 3d, so if you are running a video on windows media player, that video will play as you scroll through the windows, (Visit the Aero page to see screen shots)
Also, Windows now remembers a window's output to the screen, The exact look that the window has, So programs no longer need to redraw every time they appear on the screen, But this feature also has another purpose, When something crashes on your screen, you will not see that white rectangle that used to appear anymore, windows remember how it looked like so you can see it, it would be stuck, but right there where you left it looking ok
Windows Vista contains substantial change in the networking subsystem, IPv6 (the new IP system) implementation is built into Vista's networking subsystem, Also there the RFC standards are better implemented with TCP window scaling (allowing more packets to travel before the ACK packets are due), RFC-1323.
One can not make definitive statements about this area yet, there has been significant effort to improve windows security with windows Vista, this much can be said, but the real assessment has to wait until the system is better tested.
Not the best Parental controls system when it comes to blocking bad websites since although has the ability to block all the bad websites, limits the internet experience of the user, but if you are not willing to spend around $70 for a more advanced system, it is probably your best bet.
|
From: Vasuki Narasimha
Subject: Which are the more options given in Vista Ultimate? | | Which are the more options given in Vista Ultimate that in Vista Home edition? | From: michelle
Subject: great analysis | | cool,am in kenya and a pal already has the windows vista so how is it that you say it'll come out this january and yet it's already out? | From: Anonymous
Subject: Vista | | I recommend downloading a Free Linux distribution instead of purchasing Windows. | From: swaex2
Subject: kind of depressing | | yes | From: techie
Subject: vista | | microsoft s**ks!they keep on releasing os but with a little change?they just want to earn big bucks but not help people improve their pc lives. | From: Beatus Mongous
Subject: Professionalism | | I'm not a Microsoft fan. However, I had trouble reading your article due to the poor English. Persuasion requires intelligence, and intelligence is not seen in this article. With spelling mistakes like, "baught" and "allot", or the improper "i", I felt like a twelve-year-old was writing this in "chat speak." Also, if you are going to tell people that you are writing "objectively", then do so. Including things like, "now they want your money again for a few extra graphics, and a base they will later use to make more software for you to pay for" shows strong opinions against Microsoft. Again, I'm not a Microsoft fan, but the author of this article has made false claims about his or her article. That fact destroys the validity of the article. I'm looking elsewhere for my information, and I would encourage others to follow suit. | From: duke stylez
Subject: your vista | | ok bad spelling here and there- that's fine ..... i believe you did what you set out to do. give a no sided account of your experience w/vista.thanx. if it wasn't for the negative Nancy that left the previous comment i probably would not have said anything. keep on truckin. probably wont touch it for a year and a half either way. | From: Dano
Subject: Vista | | Microsoft is a business ! They are in business to make money and lots of it if at all possible. Until someone comes up with a better mouse trap I guess we'll be stuck with what they have to offer..... | From: Will
Subject: Alternatives to Windows | | When considering upgrading to Vista - it is perhaps better to consider other alternatives entirely.
There are commercially supported systems available for around $50, often with more powerful features than Vista, smaller footprints and better security. The most notable of these are Ubuntu and OpenSuse.
And don't forget - Vista has the featurelist that Mac OSX and Linux had back in 2001 - at 15 times the size and needing a much, much faster computer to run it.
Both these systems have 3d accelerated desktops that are both much more configurable and can run on much older computers. | From: albert rogers
Subject: Windows Vista | | Ubuntu 6.06, a.k.a Dapper Drake, comes free with guaranteed free maintenance and free successors. And you can get the source code and check that it's no monitoring YOU.
Why bother with $400 of Microsoft downgrade? | From: Cibas
Subject: Thanks | | I'm not a Microsoft fan at all. However, I had the first/earliest opportunity to learn about Vista's pros and cons reading your professional and objective article. In my opinion the poor English, spelling mistakes or the improper "i" and requirement for intelligence is not a matter as regards validity of this article. | From: Microsoft Fanboi
Subject: Windows > Linux | | bah all you fag ass linux fanboys. Vista fuckin rocks. <3 Microsoft. Die faaaaaaags | From: No GeEK
Subject: Vista and my PC | | Remember when you switched from '98 to XP ? remember ? how it was ??! Try makin' such an article !! By-the-way: I won't switch to Vista soon and I can have the Business ver. for FREE !!It just sucks on my hardware and new hardware I won't buy soon! So XPSP2 remains my option 4 now and for the future I am thinkin' to a Mac or Suse Linux Enterprise (comercial versions are best). OS X or SLED10 are solutions more better.Want to see Vista throught the eyes of *critics* ? Browse the Apple site for the section Get A Mac and U will understand why NOT Vista !!!! | From: DAN MAC
Subject: VISTA | | THAT THING IS EXPENSIVE YAANI!!
SI M REDUCE PRICE | From: Mr Funky
Subject: Microsoft Vista | | First off, isn't Vista more or less another upgrade to XP? Why should we have to keep paying enormous fees to upgrade. Once we pay for the OS, the upgrade should be free, or at least minimal. They mess up, they fix it. I can't see people spending the money Microsoft wants. They have become way too big and way to GREEDY! Please someone make another OS, so we can stop getting f'ed in the butt. | From: viivic
Subject: viivic | | Great site. Admin cool boy | From: Amy
Subject: VISTA SUXS | | I used to work for Windows Vista tech support. ....windows vista suxs ass, it is not worth the money, there is so many problems with it, that they never considered before releasing it. Unlike the release of Windows Xp....they tested Windows Vista before sending it to the shelves.....trust me if you dont want your computer to be fucked up for life....dont buy it!!! | From: Gir [Edgir]
Subject: Visa vs. OS X Leopard | | I've always been a Windows/pc fan, but quite honestly, I can't wait for Mac OS X Leopard to come out this spring. M$ will probably have to pull Vista off the market. It'll be funny. I've done so much research on different OS's in the past month. So far, Mac is leading. | From: maricfgfa
Subject: Hi, this site is very nice... | | Hi, this site is very nice... | From: AL
Subject: Wrestling Fans | | thanx 4 the reveoo. Relly gr8 commense on wether I shud bye the upgrad. Of, corse, I relly shud get edukated furst.
There--I wrote it in such a way that most of the wrestling fans here, could understand. Once again, thanks for the review. Confirmed my suspicions. | From: Master_Of_Puppets
Subject: hey anonymous | | Please don't use postings to advertise Linux. If you must know, I have sworn to kill the dirty penguin. Hehehe... | From: *yo y ke*
Subject: vista | | bueno yo recomiendo ke esto es bien chido ya eso estodo lo ke kiero poner adios | From: Lucile
Subject: A New System | | If you have to buy a new system you might as buy a MAC, more reliable and secure. And the OS is written for the hardware, not the hardware for the OS. | From: Randolph Yap
Subject: Thanks | | Thanks alot | From: sHiAnCa 334
Subject: vIsTa | | Fu** tHiS ThEY AiNt hElPiNg uS | From: Cindy
Subject: The ARTICLE | | I want you to know that there are those of us who appreciate the effort you have taken to provide us with honest and down to earth information regarding the new Vista operating system. I am talking about those of us who read the article for the information and not as an entry in an essay contest in high school. We thank you for your help. Beatus Mongous likes to put people down. Instead of reading the article for the info, she critiqued it. It's too easy to criticize what another person takes the time and effort to do when you haven't done it yourself. I found your article very helpful. And boy, I sure hope I didn't misspell anything, you know since Beatus is watching!! I mean, gee THAT'S whats REALLY, important, right? And I hope Beatus didn't mind that I used "info" instead of information. EGADS !! Ain't me shamed? | From: god
Subject: vista blows | | well my dad has vista on his computer i hate it
it looks yucky and its slow
however i am smarter than him i have ubuntu its far easier and faster
best of all its free
i recomend it to anyone who is considering using the vistahog | From: Tiffany
Subject: kool | | this is a great place!!!! | From: sexy gurl
Subject: kool waoh | | love this is the best website ive ever met it before | From: Irene
Subject: Work | | I like you're sait! | From: Leandros
Subject: Hi everyone. Great site. Hold on. | | Hi everyone. Great site. Hold on. | From: Epameinondas
Subject: This is one of the best sites I have ever found. Thanks!!! Very nice and informal. I enjoy being here. | | This is one of the best sites I have ever found. Thanks!!! Very nice and informal. I enjoy being here. | From: Stratos
Subject: The site's very professional | | The site's very professional | From: fmtcoduize
Subject: fmtcoduize | | Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! hezpdkuzdbcq | From: chantelle
Subject: about akon | | i think akon is sooooo fit and you have a great site from chantelle felton | From: FRANCO
Subject: TWESIGYE | | WELL DO FOR GOOD WORK BUT TRY TO MAKE FRIENDLY WITH SOME MACHINES EG HP DESKJET D1360 AND MORE MACHINES WE HAVE ALOT OF PROBLEMS HERE IN AFRICA / UGANDA BECOUSE THE INTERNET IS VERY SLOW TO DOWNLOAD | From: valerie
Subject: love | | im not gonna write you a love b/c you asked for b/c you need one.
im not gonna write to saty!
oh boyy i love you !
(= | From: frances
Subject: hannahmotna | | frances - frances -frances= frances =frances frances frances frances | From: bogie
Subject: math | | Im a super star of the phil. | From: sheila N
Subject: Vista | | I have Xp which i have been getting errors on non stop even after it was formatted so i am thinking about buying Vista its 20.00 more then the Xp . The part i am wondering is would i be able to play regular Dvd 's on Vista . I know games are a problem people have mentioned it on sites they get booted but i get booted with XP too. I am not sure i want to be limited . the one i am interested in is 569.99 it has 1 Gig instead of my older wone which has 512 memory . The newer one also has 320 gigs of space which i like. I wish Xp had a newer version and less errors . ty:-) Sheila from Minnesota | From: DVB
Subject: EGD | | DTYERRF | From: freeringtones
Subject: nGsfPoADTBlGMj | | я вам пишу, чего же боле? | From: antivirkaspersky7
Subject: VcMkqiyC | | U need antivirus? | From: Вечерний макияж глаз фото
Subject: zlzbWgcpVzhFsuQyJ | | I not understend what U want | From: секс
Subject: HIRaGAVMKVcQfDTOoU | | давайте займемся этим! | From: crack
Subject: zRgZDJWxaargBaJVnj | | my girl crazy, man! | From: thi
Subject: song | | bvgfahgsdvfakjsbfsdfhygsyfsyuerfgyfg hfurie rehuerfh rfhf uffeffe feififbeu hbhdhrf hfgf dehgyerg.gryregtrfgtrgf gfhhyrbngedj ghfyyrgtfgfd. | From: Vasuki Narasimha
Subject: Which are the more options given in Vista Ultimate? | | Which are the more options given in Vista Ultimate that in Vista Home edition? | From: michelle
Subject: great analysis | | cool,am in kenya and a pal already has the windows vista so how is it that you say it'll come out this january and yet it's already out? | From: Anonymous
Subject: Vista | | I recommend downloading a Free Linux distribution instead of purchasing Windows. | From: swaex2
Subject: kind of depressing | | yes | From: techie
Subject: vista | | microsoft s**ks!they keep on releasing os but with a little change?they just want to earn big bucks but not help people improve their pc lives. | From: Beatus Mongous
Subject: Professionalism | | I'm not a Microsoft fan. However, I had trouble reading your article due to the poor English. Persuasion requires intelligence, and intelligence is not seen in this article. With spelling mistakes like, "baught" and "allot", or the improper "i", I felt like a twelve-year-old was writing this in "chat speak." Also, if you are going to tell people that you are writing "objectively", then do so. Including things like, "now they want your money again for a few extra graphics, and a base they will later use to make more software for you to pay for" shows strong opinions against Microsoft. Again, I'm not a Microsoft fan, but the author of this article has made false claims about his or her article. That fact destroys the validity of the article. I'm looking elsewhere for my information, and I would encourage others to follow suit. | From: duke stylez
Subject: your vista | | ok bad spelling here and there- that's fine ..... i believe you did what you set out to do. give a no sided account of your experience w/vista.thanx. if it wasn't for the negative Nancy that left the previous comment i probably would not have said anything. keep on truckin. probably wont touch it for a year and a half either way. | From: Dano
Subject: Vista | | Microsoft is a business ! They are in business to make money and lots of it if at all possible. Until someone comes up with a better mouse trap I guess we'll be stuck with what they have to offer..... | From: Will
Subject: Alternatives to Windows | | When considering upgrading to Vista - it is perhaps better to consider other alternatives entirely.
There are commercially supported systems available for around $50, often with more powerful features than Vista, smaller footprints and better security. The most notable of these are Ubuntu and OpenSuse.
And don't forget - Vista has the featurelist that Mac OSX and Linux had back in 2001 - at 15 times the size and needing a much, much faster computer to run it.
Both these systems have 3d accelerated desktops that are both much more configurable and can run on much older computers. | From: albert rogers
Subject: Windows Vista | | Ubuntu 6.06, a.k.a Dapper Drake, comes free with guaranteed free maintenance and free successors. And you can get the source code and check that it's no monitoring YOU.
Why bother with $400 of Microsoft downgrade? | From: Cibas
Subject: Thanks | | I'm not a Microsoft fan at all. However, I had the first/earliest opportunity to learn about Vista's pros and cons reading your professional and objective article. In my opinion the poor English, spelling mistakes or the improper "i" and requirement for intelligence is not a matter as regards validity of this article. | From: Microsoft Fanboi
Subject: Windows > Linux | | bah all you fag ass linux fanboys. Vista fuckin rocks. <3 Microsoft. Die faaaaaaags | From: No GeEK
Subject: Vista and my PC | | Remember when you switched from '98 to XP ? remember ? how it was ??! Try makin' such an article !! By-the-way: I won't switch to Vista soon and I can have the Business ver. for FREE !!It just sucks on my hardware and new hardware I won't buy soon! So XPSP2 remains my option 4 now and for the future I am thinkin' to a Mac or Suse Linux Enterprise (comercial versions are best). OS X or SLED10 are solutions more better.Want to see Vista throught the eyes of *critics* ? Browse the Apple site for the section Get A Mac and U will understand why NOT Vista !!!! | From: DAN MAC
Subject: VISTA | | THAT THING IS EXPENSIVE YAANI!!
SI M REDUCE PRICE | From: Mr Funky
Subject: Microsoft Vista | | First off, isn't Vista more or less another upgrade to XP? Why should we have to keep paying enormous fees to upgrade. Once we pay for the OS, the upgrade should be free, or at least minimal. They mess up, they fix it. I can't see people spending the money Microsoft wants. They have become way too big and way to GREEDY! Please someone make another OS, so we can stop getting f'ed in the butt. | From: viivic
Subject: viivic | | Great site. Admin cool boy | From: Amy
Subject: VISTA SUXS | | I used to work for Windows Vista tech support. ....windows vista suxs ass, it is not worth the money, there is so many problems with it, that they never considered before releasing it. Unlike the release of Windows Xp....they tested Windows Vista before sending it to the shelves.....trust me if you dont want your computer to be fucked up for life....dont buy it!!! | From: Gir [Edgir]
Subject: Visa vs. OS X Leopard | | I've always been a Windows/pc fan, but quite honestly, I can't wait for Mac OS X Leopard to come out this spring. M$ will probably have to pull Vista off the market. It'll be funny. I've done so much research on different OS's in the past month. So far, Mac is leading. | From: maricfgfa
Subject: Hi, this site is very nice... | | Hi, this site is very nice... | From: AL
Subject: Wrestling Fans | | thanx 4 the reveoo. Relly gr8 commense on wether I shud bye the upgrad. Of, corse, I relly shud get edukated furst.
There--I wrote it in such a way that most of the wrestling fans here, could understand. Once again, thanks for the review. Confirmed my suspicions. | From: Master_Of_Puppets
Subject: hey anonymous | | Please don't use postings to advertise Linux. If you must know, I have sworn to kill the dirty penguin. Hehehe... | From: *yo y ke*
Subject: vista | | bueno yo recomiendo ke esto es bien chido ya eso estodo lo ke kiero poner adios | From: Lucile
Subject: A New System | | If you have to buy a new system you might as buy a MAC, more reliable and secure. And the OS is written for the hardware, not the hardware for the OS. | From: Randolph Yap
Subject: Thanks | | Thanks alot | From: sHiAnCa 334
Subject: vIsTa | | Fu** tHiS ThEY AiNt hElPiNg uS | From: Cindy
Subject: The ARTICLE | | I want you to know that there are those of us who appreciate the effort you have taken to provide us with honest and down to earth information regarding the new Vista operating system. I am talking about those of us who read the article for the information and not as an entry in an essay contest in high school. We thank you for your help. Beatus Mongous likes to put people down. Instead of reading the article for the info, she critiqued it. It's too easy to criticize what another person takes the time and effort to do when you haven't done it yourself. I found your article very helpful. And boy, I sure hope I didn't misspell anything, you know since Beatus is watching!! I mean, gee THAT'S whats REALLY, important, right? And I hope Beatus didn't mind that I used "info" instead of information. EGADS !! Ain't me shamed? | From: god
Subject: vista blows | | well my dad has vista on his computer i hate it
it looks yucky and its slow
however i am smarter than him i have ubuntu its far easier and faster
best of all its free
i recomend it to anyone who is considering using the vistahog | From: Tiffany
Subject: kool | | this is a great place!!!! | From: sexy gurl
Subject: kool waoh | | love this is the best website ive ever met it before | From: Irene
Subject: Work | | I like you're sait! | From: Leandros
Subject: Hi everyone. Great site. Hold on. | | Hi everyone. Great site. Hold on. | From: Epameinondas
Subject: This is one of the best sites I have ever found. Thanks!!! Very nice and informal. I enjoy being here. | | This is one of the best sites I have ever found. Thanks!!! Very nice and informal. I enjoy being here. | From: Stratos
Subject: The site's very professional | | The site's very professional | From: fmtcoduize
Subject: fmtcoduize | | Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! hezpdkuzdbcq | From: chantelle
Subject: about akon | | i think akon is sooooo fit and you have a great site from chantelle felton | From: FRANCO
Subject: TWESIGYE | | WELL DO FOR GOOD WORK BUT TRY TO MAKE FRIENDLY WITH SOME MACHINES EG HP DESKJET D1360 AND MORE MACHINES WE HAVE ALOT OF PROBLEMS HERE IN AFRICA / UGANDA BECOUSE THE INTERNET IS VERY SLOW TO DOWNLOAD | From: valerie
Subject: love | | im not gonna write you a love b/c you asked for b/c you need one.
im not gonna write to saty!
oh boyy i love you !
(= | From: frances
Subject: hannahmotna | | frances - frances -frances= frances =frances frances frances frances | From: bogie
Subject: math | | Im a super star of the phil. | From: sheila N
Subject: Vista | | I have Xp which i have been getting errors on non stop even after it was formatted so i am thinking about buying Vista its 20.00 more then the Xp . The part i am wondering is would i be able to play regular Dvd 's on Vista . I know games are a problem people have mentioned it on sites they get booted but i get booted with XP too. I am not sure i want to be limited . the one i am interested in is 569.99 it has 1 Gig instead of my older wone which has 512 memory . The newer one also has 320 gigs of space which i like. I wish Xp had a newer version and less errors . ty:-) Sheila from Minnesota | From: DVB
Subject: EGD | | DTYERRF | From: freeringtones
Subject: nGsfPoADTBlGMj | | я вам пишу, чего же боле? | From: antivirkaspersky7
Subject: VcMkqiyC | | U need antivirus? | From: Вечерний макияж глаз фото
Subject: zlzbWgcpVzhFsuQyJ | | I not understend what U want | From: секс
Subject: HIRaGAVMKVcQfDTOoU | | давайте займемся этим! | From: crack
Subject: zRgZDJWxaargBaJVnj | | my girl crazy, man! | From: thi
Subject: song | | bvgfahgsdvfakjsbfsdfhygsyfsyuerfgyfg hfurie rehuerfh rfhf uffeffe feififbeu hbhdhrf hfgf dehgyerg.gryregtrfgtrgf gfhhyrbngedj ghfyyrgtfgfd. |
|
