Vista Reviewer's Comments

Vista, Microsoft's latest major release is intended to replace all XP operating systems. It is designed to do everything and includes complex, dynamic visuals. Therefore, it requires a lot of RAM to run to its fullest ability.

This OS offers more security options than any other preceding release, includes the entire Media Center OS, is ready for flash drives, has parental controls, supports tablet PC functions and has many new features never available before.

It has been circulating around in its beta version for some time, but now is available in new computers or as an upgrade for computers purchased after October 2007 and before March 2007.

The biggest difference you will notice with Vista is how it looks. It incorporates high–end visuals, which makes it easy to find files, video, images or specific help topics. The visuals also support those who want to run multiple applications at once or open numerous webpages. For example, if you have several webpages open you can simply mouse over the tabs and a mini image of that page will pop up or you can alt–tab through 3D mini images of the open pages to find the one you are looking for.

It also supports inexperienced users with wizards, a backup and restore center, as well as Security Control Guidance. In addition, it has a super powerful search that can help people find folders or files, even if they don’t know where or by what name they originally stored them. You can also search for help topics from the same search bar.

Vista is the first operating system that can evaluate the hardware components of a computer and run according to its ability. For example, if the computer only has 512KB of RAM accessible it will run in its basic mode but if a GB or more is available it can run it its Aero mode. In addition to home use versions, there are Business, Enterprise and Ultimate versions available.

When is the right time to upgrade to Vista?

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Home Use:  

The Home Basic version is designed for basic computing, such as accessing online content, checking email and running popular applications.

Its parental control tool lets parents regulate how their children use the computer in relation to their access to games, Internet content, instant messaging and more. For example, you can limit one child to only rated E:Everyone games and an older child to E:Everyone and T:Teen.

This is a good version for basic home use but the Vista Home Premium version has the new elegant looking Windows Aero user interface and the Media Center (see the Media Center review for more information). Windows Aero has three dimensional tool bars and buttons but requires a nice system to run, we would recommend more than a GB of RAM, but since the running demands of applications are growing quickly, you may want to boost your next system up to 2GB of RAM or more. It may seem excessive, but in the near future home computers may need dual processors, 2–4GB of RAM and 250GB or more of hard drive space to satisfy home computing and entertainment needs.

The Home Premium version is also compatible with tablet PCs, can support Windows Sideshow displays and can utilize the media center extender for Xbox 360.

Office Use:  

There are two office versions available: Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise. In addition, the Ultimate Version includes all business and entertainment aspects.

Windows Vista Business is designed for both small and large businesses. Some new features include warnings before potential hardware failures, protection from malware and protection from hardware failure. This version has the Windows Aero interface that makes multitasking easy and helps organize files.

Vista Enterprise is intended for large, global organizations and includes all the features included in the business version. To increase compatibility, it can work with older operating systems as well as UNIX operating systems. Unlike previous versions, Vista Enterprise comes with multiple language interfaces for 35 common languages, so users can switch languages without additional add–ons.

Multimedia/Entertainment Use:  

The Home Premium and the Ultimate version have the complete Media Center. So these versions are great for home entertainment and personal media editing.

Security:  

Microsoft includes extensive security devices in all Vista versions. This includes frequent updates and protection during wireless or even cell phone to computer connections. It also has all of the basics such as the ability to block scripts, pop–ups and questionable downloads. For added security, it can encrypt folders and files and limit device installation.

For inexperienced users, Vista has Security Control Guidance to help you decide what kind of security settings you want. There is also a Malicious Software Removal Tool to quickly get rid of malware. It also has user level controls and parental controls so each user can have their own unique profile.

They provide automatic updates to handle new threats or you could purchase Windows OneCare, which is Microsoft’s antivirus package. BitLocker Drive Encryption is available in the Ultimate and Enterprise versions, this protects data in the event of a PC or laptop theft.

For business use, Vista has Windows Service Hardening which enables administrators to set restrictions on changes to the registry, file systems, network and the use of malware. They also have tools that restrict things like peer–to–peer file sharing. Vista has outbound/inbound filters, a firewall and the ability to run Internet Explorer 7 in a protected mode.

Networking:  

Vista’s Enterprise version is intended for large, global companies and includes extensive networking abilities. It offers the features of the Business version plus data protection and hardware–based encryption. This version is not intended for small organizations and requires all computers to be covered by Microsoft Software Assurance or a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.

The Business version has many tools for mobile commuting including remote access and roaming user profiles. For collaboration it has Windows Meeting Space, where members can exchange files, ‘meet’ in a common area and share edits in a secure environment.

However, since Vista has just been released in its final version, it may take some time to see how Vista's new networking features perform.

Practical Use:  

Vista is not practical for most uses at this time. First of all, to run the Aero aspects, you need a GB of RAM. You can purchase it and install in on a computer you already own, but if you have less than a GB of RAM we would recommend that you wait till you purchase your next computer. If you do choose to install Vista on to a computer you already own we would recommend that you back-up your data first as a precaution.

We also think it may take some time for Microsoft to work out the bugs, hopefully by the time you purchase your next computer the major kinks will be worked out. If you are currently considering a new computer you will likely not have a choice, for example, Dell no longer offers XP versions as an option.

Laptop Use:  

The Vista editions offer more laptop and tablet PC features than any previously released operating system. It offers the basics like battery saving elements but also has a sleep mode and is ready for flash drives and SideShow functions.

Its tablet functions include Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, which supports digital pen and touch screen aspects combined.

Ease of Use:  

Vista is designed to be as easy to use as possible. It can even help you find a file, when you do not know who authored it, what it’s’ named is or where it was originally stored. Through Instant Search you can also search for help topics. For example, you could type in “how do I find a file I accidentally deleted?” and Vista will take you right to the help page that can help you with that problem.

This OS is extremely visual, all files can be displayed with images on the folder and you can quickly look through all of your open pages by skipping through mini images of the open pages.

Technical Help/Support:  

Since Vista has been tested and anticipated for some time, users have inundated Microsoft with questions. So a large support base is developing to not only address Vista glitches, but user questions as well. For example, if you visit their support knowledgebase for the Home Basic version there is already over 200 entries, this is also true for its other versions. As you may expect, most entries relate problems users have had with Vista.

Summary:  

Ready or not Vista is released. Soon you will have to evolve to a new operating system and will be required to have a more powerful system to run it. If Microsoft's claims regarding Vista's abilities become fully realized, it will be the most multitalented, safe and good looking operating system ever imagined.