Windows VISTA, it really is coming!
Those of you who follow Microsoft, and its various versions of windows, will already know that the replacement for Windows XP will be out in early 2007 and will be called Windows VISTA. What you may not know is that there will be 6 versions of Vista to choose from (!) and that any PC older than 1 yr will not be able to run the version named Ultimate which includes all the whiz-bang visual effects. (Older, lower configured pcs will be able to run the lesser-enabled versions of Vista.)
Your current pc’s video card is the culprit.
Vista Ultimate’s graphics effects require a VERY RECENT video card, one costing over $100 retail. Certain specs have to be met or you will only be able to run the less graphically charged appearance of Vista. I would not recommend upgrading a pc older than 1 or 2 yrs old to run Vista, too many components will need upgrading and it would be far better to replace it. The new cpu family on the market for pcs (Core2Duo from Intel) will outstrip your current cpu’s performance in Vista enough to make the replacement pc worthwhile. Costly but worthwhile.
Test your current PC: There is a tool to test your pcs readiness for Vista. It assesses the pcs hard ware and software and can be found at Microsoft – http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx . Click on “Evaluate Your Current PC”, download and run the tool. There is also a wonderful web-based general readiness tool at ATI, the video card maker’s web site - http://www.ati.com/technology/windowsvista/GetReady.html .
HOWEVER: If you are AT ALL thinking of buying a new PC in the next year, and are not very interested in making your new pc work with your older programs, I STRONGLY advise you to replace your pc before Vista comes out. Vista has a lot of new benefits in its favor, but it is an unknown environment for older software. Therefore getting a new faster pc with XP installed instead of Vista might be a sane thing to do.
I think everyone has forgotten the chaos that happened when XP came out in the Fall of 2001. People trying to move from Windows 98 or ME to Windows XP found that their older printers & scanners were not supported, older programs did not run, and that they had to buy the newest version of their crucial programs. This added greatly to the anticipated cost of their new computer. So – beware! Do your homework – explore the support sites for each of your peripherals – see if Vista drivers are already out or will be out soon.
Another issue with a new version of Windows: It seems to me, in my humble opinion, that Microsoft releases their products before all things are corrected. The new large user base brings them information often not gleaned during testing. Then they release a flurry of patches and upgrades. SO – If you are a novice in supporting your version of windows, you may not want to jump to Vista until it has been out for a few months, maybe up to 6-9 months. Some in the business say you shouldn’t run it until the first Service Pack is out. Perhaps you should wait for your printer or scanner driver to be released.
Of course – if you buy a new PC after the new OS is out – well – enjoy the jump into the deep end! J Once Vista comes out, XP will no longer be offered by the PC builders (Dell, Hp,…). It will remain on the shelves for upgrading older pcs – advice: DO NOT replace a factory installed Vista with XP !!!
Play with Vista now: If you want to play around with RC 1, you can download the .iso file from http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/en/download.htm . Then use Roxio or Nero to burn that disk image (the .iso file you downloaded) to create the installation disk. Pre-installed basic versions of these programs might not be able to burn an .iso image file. I ONLY recommend this for techies and those willing to spend a lot of time and have a spare pc to dedicate to this endeavor.
Conclusion – I purposefully bought a new pc recently to take advantage of the new Intel cpu and still have Windows XP installed. When will I upgrade to Vista here at Pinon PC? I will have to run Vista Ultimate or Business as I need domain server log-in ability due to the network we are running here in the shop. I am not sure when I will rebuild my new PC to Vista, probably a month or 3 after it is released, perhaps I will do dual boot. And then there is the cost factor – it is predicted that the retail price for the Ultimate and Business versions will run over $300 ! OUCH! L
HEATHER BURKE
PINON PC SUPPORT
470-2431