Microsoft's latest operating system has been in development longer than any previous version and they promise a large number of improvements. With all these improvements come a whole new set of hardware requirements that were not previously seen with versions such as XP. All of this can make the decision of going with the older Windows XP or the new Vista difficult when buying a new PC or even upgrading one during this transition period.
What Does Vista Offer?
There are large number of improvements to the Vista OS over XP. Some of these include:
Windows XP has been plagued with many security problems. Microsoft attempted to correct many of these problems by rebuilding the OS from scratch and forcing certain functions that were not required in previous operating systems. This may help improve security in the short term but it isn't clear how this may affect things as Vista gets a wider distribution.
The improved user interface is really based around Aero. This is the name for the new three dimensional interface. The big drawback to this interface is that not everyone will be able to use this. There are certain hardware requirements in order for it to be used and then there is one version of Vista that doesn't even include it.
The Sidebar and Gadgets aren't really something new to computers as Mac OS X has had the same feature in Widgets for many years. This is really just Microsoft catching up with applications and interface design. It is still a welcome addition to the operating system over all.
SideShow is something specific to computers that feature SideShow specific displays. This enables the OS to pass along information such as email, messages or phone numbers from the SideShow display rather than requiring the full OS and computer to be running.
What's With the Different Versions?
Windows XP was very simple in terms of versions. At first there were just a Home and a Professional version. The two functioned very similarly with Professional having additional networking and security features for use in the business environment. Microsoft later added in the Media Center Edition that was an upgraded version of Home with addition multimedia functions.
Vista has a total of four editions that can be purchased:
Personally I would recommend that most users go for the Vista Home Premium edition as this has the most features that users will actually use. Business adds some security and network features used in corporate environments. Ultimate is overkill for the majority of users and the cost just doesn't merit the features at this point. Basic lacks the Aero interface and multimedia capabilities.
Vista and Hardware Compatibility
If you are looking at purchasing a new computer system, you will likely see PCs sporting one of two Vista hardware logos, Vista Capable or Vista Premium Ready. For those interested, each of these levels have minimum requirements. Pretty much every system that has been sold in the past year meets the minimum requirements for being Vista Capable. The only major additions to the requirements are extra base memory and a DirectX 9 compatible graphics card.
Vista Premium Ready defines machines that have the capability to user the new Aero interface and certain multimedia capabilities. This one is a bit more difficult to describe because even though it may have the video card for Aero and the audio capabilities, it may not have the hardware needed to use the multimedia features such as multimedia TV functions. This capabilities would only be possible with additional hardware beyond the Premium Ready requirements.
Should I Get Vista?
Any time a new operating system is released, there are always various roadblocks to them running smoothly. Generally these problems fall into either software or hardware issues. Software issues are things such as applications written for Windows XP that will not fully function under Vista or bugs with the early release of the operating system code. Hardware issues deal with peripherals that will not function with the new operating system typically because the drivers have not been written or approved for use with the new operating system.
If you are purchasing a new computer system with Vista installed, software issues tend to be less of an issue. The problems tend to be peripherals from an older PC or purchased in addition to the PC. That scanner, digital camera or printer may not have the drivers that allow them to interface with the operating system. This can be a real problem as it can take hardware companies up to six months or a year to get them written. Always check with the peripheral manufacturer to ensure that it is Vista compatible.
Older systems that are being upgraded will also have these same hardware issues, but they are likely to encounter many more software issues. This is especially true for those that do an upgrade install from Windows XP to Vista rather than a fresh install. Once the upgrade is done, various programs may need to reinstalled, patched or upgraded for them to function with Vista. Once again, check with the software publisher to check and see if the program is Vista compatible before enduring the upgrade process.
My personal opinion on new operating systems is for consumers to try and avoid them for around six months or more from their release. Typically the people who use them early on encounter many more problems as the bugs and compatibility issues are worked out. By holding off, you let the early adopters run into and get those problems fixed before you use it. Microsoft is already pushing “Fiji” or Service Pack 1 for early release to get features missing from the initial release installed as well as patching early bugs. Once this is released, users would be advised to get Vista with new PC purchases while older PC users can upgrade at their discretion.
