I just installed Vista Business edition on my main PC. I have it setup to dual-boot with XP Pro.

Here'* my mini-review:

Installation - Cake. I ran it from within XP and pointed it to install to another drive. The dual-boot was setup automatically.

GUI - I've used pretty much everything out there (Windows, Linux varieties, Apple), and so far this is my favorite. The Windows "Aero" theme is very smooth, and everything flows together nicely. Even the way things minimize and move around is very pleasing to the eye. The windows retain a lot of the functions from XP, but there are some differences to get used to. I like the new start menu too. It'* not as clunky and doesn't take up a lot of room.

Sidebar - It'* kinda cool. There'* a ton of gadgets for it, just like the Google sidebar. I have mine setup with a calendar, notepad, and the weather. Since I have a widescreen monitor it does not get in the way.

IE7 - Again, I've used a variety of browsers (IE, Netscape, Firefox, Opera), and this is the best one I've used. It'* as quick as IE6 and all the websites appear how they should. Also, the text within webpages is very smooth and easier on the eyes.

Security Settings - There are a billion security safeguards. There'* no way to break this thing unless you really try. I turned most of the stuff off because I know what I'm doing.

Profile - The "My Documents" is now organized a lot better. It has seperate folders to organize Favorites, Videos, Pictures, etc.

Speed - Runs extremely efficient. I have a dual-core AMD with 2 gigs of memory, so there'* nothing to slow this down.

Compatibility - I've installed most of the basic applications one would use on here and it works fine. Quicktime, Adobe Reader, Flash Player, and all my drivers worked fine. However, I can't get AIM to install, so I'm using GAIM. Supposedly AOL is still developing a Vista version of AIM. I haven't tried any games yet.

Office 2007 - FTW

Overall - I'm seriously impressed. I've heard more smack talk against this O/* from numerous people than positive reviews. In my opinion they don't know what they are talking about. As an avid computer user and technician, this really gets my seal of approval.


I thought I'd share this for those who are interested.

just finished installing office 2007 on vista , i cant believe what theyve done with the ui, its amazing, its totally different but still easy to use

Yup, thats about what i think of it for the most part.... :?

Also Trillian Doesn't work either :(

i, too just purchased a laptop last weekend with Vista home premium installed on it, and im really liking Vista a lot too. And with just the the 2.0Ghz, 1gb ram, and only 5400rpm hard drive it runs super fast

So SOL???

What did they change if anything from RC1?

Does it still like to take forever to boot up, if you watch you Hard drive load it will go for like 4 mine caching stuff

and i have a fast PC also

AMD X2 4400+
2GB Ram
Two sata2 Raid 0 and such..

Windows Vista is a threat to internet freedom. Im sorry, but im just more concerned with whats under the hood of an OS rather than the pretty graphics of a GUI which is useless to me. There are alot of issues with the OS and it doesn't pay for me to be Microsoft'* beta tester. Besides the GUI and DX10 (which has no reason whatsoever to not be on XP!), what does Vista do that XP cannot do?

I know of a large shipbuilding corporation on the east coast that upgraded their entire system to Vista as soon as it came out for businesses at the end of November last year. They have had installation issues, software conflicts, and basic productivity went down the toilet.

No idea what they changed. I'm not a developer.

It takes longer than XP to boot, but that is expected. However, it doesn't take too long.


I have yet to play with everything, and yet to test it out on a corporate network.

The overall structure of the files has changed, and looks a bit more organized. It looks nicer and runs smoother than XP. I'm sure in the next couple years you'll see applications out there that can really show what Vista can do. Like I said, I'm not a developer, so it'* hard to answer this.

The same thing could have been said years ago when XP came out. "What does XP do that 2000 cannot do?"

Uuummm yeah...

Not much



but yea.... MAYBE..... Vista might get better, But its still not 100% safe yet, It has Holes, It has problems, Also IE7 has some Major problems also.

I might it sooner if i can find it (Cheap!) or ill just wait a year or so when it maybe worth buying. :?

any time that ANY company changes OS, or any major software there is a large transitional period that has to take place, and always includes some snags and hold ups, thats life.

Luckily I didn't have to pay for it, cause I would have waited too.

I got a free license through MSDNAA.

I guess my tuition dollars pay for it in a sense...