Microsoft Vista, is it worth the price?
By JOE KIRBY
STAFF WRITER
It is safer. Faster. Better-looking. And, according to Bill Gates, just what your PC needs.
It is Vista, the long-anticipated overhaul of Microsoft’s operating system (OS), the chassis and foundation to roughly 90 percent of the world’s laptops and desktops. Released this week to much fanfare as the most powerful and polished version of Windows yet, the much-delayed Vista arrives more than five years after the introduction of XP, the current industry standard.
New on store shelves, Vista has been in the hands of millions in beta form (a limited test version) since November, downloaded for free from Microsoft. Also, Christmas and post-holiday shoppers may have purchased PCs already loaded with Vista. As a result, online message boards, blogs, industry publications and Web sites are awash with commentary on tinkering to the product that put Microsoft on the computing map.
Should you be among the early adapters?
E-mail: kirby@northjersey.com
FAQ for the home computer user
Window shopping The Record’s PC Guy (Peter Grad) and cnet.com, the online reference to all things tech, recommend that users of Microsoft XP hold off purchasing Vista — for now. Both say that while the new OS is a significant improvement over XP, it isn’t a quantum leap that justifies an immediate purchase. Moreover, all the bugs and kinks have yet to be found and worked out.
Where and how should I buy Vista? Vista is the first operating system to be offered for sale online (via download from Microsoft), but most will purchase the software at a major retailer. Best Buy, CompUSA, RadioShack and other computer outlets have been preparing for the changeover, offering training to their sales staffs on the finer points of Vista. Of course, these stores also will sell PCs with Vista pre-installed.
Which version is right for me? There are three versions of Vista. Home Basic ($199 for the complete version; $99 for the upgrade), is a bare-bones product that does not include Aero, the snazzy new interface. So, most will want to opt for Home Premium ($239; $159), which features the new visuals and multimedia entertainment tools, or Home Ultimate ($399; $259), which contains high-end networking and security capabilities. Before installing any software, make backups of all important files!
Will Vista affect my current software or peripherals? Maybe. Some online users report that Vista may conflict with other software programs, including Quickbooks, Lotus Notes, iTunes, some anti-virus utilities, some Adobe and Roxio products, and even Microsoft Media Player.
It’s probably best to first check a reference page on the Vista Web site (windowsvista.com) and download a utility that will scan your system and let you know which hardware and software components may or may not work. In the case of glitches, consult the software makers’ Web sites for updates, tools and patches to rectify Vista-specific issues.
Will I need to do anything to my computer before installing Vista? You may. Vista has steep hardware requirements ?