Vista >Officially< Went Gold Today Nov 8

[n7]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora
This really doesnt apply to the folks here, but I'll post it anyway:

Microsoft's Vista not looking so pretty
By CHARLIE PASCHAL
Special to The State
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/business/15946778.htm

Vista, Microsoft's new operating system due early next year has several "time bombs" waiting for unsuspecting users.

Consider these:

? There is no release date, but it's certain to be in 2007

? Microsoft plans several versions, some of them not suited for home users, some not suited for business users.

? Manufacturers plan to offer "upgrade coupons" with systems sold during the holiday but what that means is not certain.

? Hardware requirements for the best version are high.

? Buying a computer that is "Vista Capable or Ready" just may not be that ready, especially for the more advanced features.

? A "capable" system means only that the system can "run," Vista, perhaps not a pleasant experience.

? "Gamers" should be very, very cautious because the most expensive version of Vista should use high-end hardware.

? Upgrades can be tricky and deadly. Using a system for a few months with XP -- and getting spyware and Trojan Horses -- mean that an upgrade inherits the problems. A clean install of Vista would be the recommendation but how many normal users can handle that? Not many.

? Vista memory -- both for the system and video card -- is critical. Not enough for either one and your new system will probably run like a pig, meaning you won't be happy.

? Be very wary of any system sold with the "starter" edition of Vista. It's not meant for the US but that doesn't mean that some vendors won't sell it and it's severely crippled.

Many systems sold today share memory between the system and the video card, and probably shouldn't be upgraded to Vista.

Some basic hardware requirements:

? Memory bottom line for system memory: one gigabyte or more.

? Bottom line for video card: 256 megabytes.

? No shared video. Ask the sales person if the system has a separate video card. If it doesn't, then move on.

? You may have to buy a new monitor to use some of the most advanced features of Vista. Ask if one comes with the system.

You want to know what would be best? Either stick with the operating system that comes with any purchases before Vista hits the street or wait to buy one that actually COMES with Vista installed. There's just too many variables -- unless you do a clean install or decide on the specific Vista version you need beforehand.

Pure idiocy.

Whoever wrote that should be embarrassed by their own stupidity.

 

[pcgeek11]

? There is no release date, but it's certain to be in 2007

January.

? Manufacturers plan to offer "upgrade coupons" with systems sold during the holiday but what that means is not certain.

By purchasing a qualifying PC with genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007, you will be eligible for a low-cost upgrade to a corresponding edition of Windows VistaTM. Through the program, you can enjoy the benefits of a new Windows XP-based PC today, along with the confidence that your new PC can be upgraded to Windows Vista when it becomes available for a nominal cost, including shipping and handling. To qualify for the Express Upgrade, you must purchase a qualifying PC that meets Microsoft?s requirements for running Windows Vista. Ask your sales representative for more details.

? Hardware requirements for the best version are high.

Not really it depends on what level of effects you want. I ran the Betas on a laptop P4, 2.66, 768 MB Ram, Ati Video Mobility M7 with 32 MB Ram, 40 gig 5400 rpm HD. It ran it quite well without all the glass effects and such. Nearly as snappy as XP.

? Buying a computer that is "Vista Capable or Ready" just may not be that ready, especially for the more advanced features.

Depends on what you call advanced features.

? A "capable" system means only that the system can "run," Vista, perhaps not a pleasant experience.

See my post above.

? "Gamers" should be very, very cautious because the most expensive version of Vista should use high-end hardware.

I think Most gamers already use higher end hardware than most daily PC users.

? Upgrades can be tricky and deadly. Using a system for a few months with XP -- and getting spyware and Trojan Horses -- mean that an upgrade inherits the problems. A clean install of Vista would be the recommendation but how many normal users can handle that? Not many.

Hasn't this always been true for any version? Cleaner is always better, IMO.

? Vista memory -- both for the system and video card -- is critical. Not enough for either one and your new system will probably run like a pig, meaning you won't be happy.

BS see my post above about the laptop 768 MB Ram, 32 MB Video Ram. Ran fine RC1 and RC2.

? Be very wary of any system sold with the "starter" edition of Vista. It's not meant for the US but that doesn't mean that some vendors won't sell it and it's severely crippled.

Much like the Windows XP Starter Edition, this edition will be limited to emerging markets, mainly to offer a legal alternative to using unauthorized copies. It will be severely limited, for example only allowing a user to launch at most three applications with a user interface at once, will not accept incoming network connections, and physical memory is limited to 256 MB. This is the only edition that will not support 64-bit processors.

OK that is one point.

> Many systems sold today share memory between the system and the video card, and probably shouldn't be upgraded to Vista.

Why not?

Some basic hardware requirements:

? Memory bottom line for system memory: one gigabyte or more.

So 768 MB won't be enough? See post above.

? Bottom line for video card: 256 megabytes.

BS!

? No shared video. Ask the sales person if the system has a separate video card. If it doesn't, then move on.

Again BS!

? You may have to buy a new monitor to use some of the most advanced features of Vista. Ask if one comes with the system.

OK, That is 2 points, but this only effects High Definition requirements.

I agree with the above poster that stated this person that wrote this article is a moron.

pcgeek11

 

[Shawn]

already been leaked.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: Shawn
already been leaked.

Just like every other OS. I knew people that had XP Pro within a week after the RTM.

pcgeek11

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: Shawn
already been leaked.

seems like only the 32-bit version.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Shawn
already been leaked.

seems like only the 32-bit version.

I'm pretty sure the final RTM has every version on a single disc in both x86 and x64 form.

EDIT: See my post below, but it appears as though the 32- and 64-bit versions are on separate discs, so it may be the 32-bit version only that has been leaked.

 

[stash]

I'm pretty sure the final RTM has every version on a single disc in both x86 and x64 form.

I don't think so. If you look at the picture of the Vista Ultimate packaging with the box opened, you can read the text on the DVD that says "This disc contains 64-bit software only"

 

[daniel1113]

I am not sure why that is; but I do know that as of now, there are no separate 64-bit Vista SKUs.

EDIT: Actually, if you look at the packaging (not the disc itself), it says "32 and 64 bit". It appears, then, that there will be two discs packaged with each copy of Vista, one for 32-bit installs and the other for 64-bit installs.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Shawn
already been leaked.

seems like only the 32-bit version.

I'm still confused as to whether a modern day gamer with a 64-bit CPU should get 64-bit Vista or not. One one hand I've heard yes, for the better security, but on the other hand no, because it doesn't offer any real advantages and is just harder to get working drivers for.

 

[stash]

Actually, if you look at the packaging (not the disc itself), it says "32 and 64 bit"

Got a link to a picture of that? I was looking on the box itself for something about architecture, but the outside of the box seems pretty sparse.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: stash

Actually, if you look at the packaging (not the disc itself), it says "32 and 64 bit"

Got a link to a picture of that? I was looking on the box itself for something about architecture, but the outside of the box seems pretty sparse.

http://images.dailytech.com/nimage/2864_large_vista_disc.jpg

Very tiny text up near the DVD-ROM logo, but that's what it looks like to me too.

 

[stash]

Yeah good call, I missed that before. Looks like maybe the second disc is behind the visible one (on the other side).

That will be sweet to get get both in the box.