Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Full Version OEM for PC Review

I have read the complaints about the Vista family of operating systems.  I would agree that moving to a new generation of OS is a bumpy process and it tends to orphan certain applications and some hardware (usually drivers).  Those of us who experienced the move from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95; the move from Windows 98 to Windows XP; Mac System 6 to System 7 or OS9 to OSX are familiar with these problems.

One of Microsoft's main goals with Vista was to plug as many security holes as possible.  Most of the software incompatibilities are directly or indirectly a result of the tougher security environment in Vista.  This is also true for the device drivers.

My job required me to familiarize myself with Vista Business.  When it was time for me to upgrade my home computer, I wanted the multimedia toys that Vista Premium has as well as the security features built into Vista Business,  Hence, I bought Vista Ultimate.

 My First Impressions

Things work about the same way they did in XP.  Once you get past the fact that My Computer is now Computer, the Start button is now a Windows Logo button and other minor changes, it has a very similar user interface.

It is nice to look at.  The Aero interface, the graphics, and the colors are all nicer than XP.

The search engine is great!  It is well integrated into the user interface and it is FAST.  No more starting a search, then running to the kitchen for a snack while it looks for the results.  Searches complete very rapidly.

The Sidebar is a nice feature and the list of gadgets gets longer every day.

Back-up

The back-up feature is excellent.  It offers you a choice of "File and Folder" or "Image" back-up.  I use both features because loosing data would be a BIG problem for me and all hard drives eventually will fail.  It is only a matter of time.  Vista lets you schedule both types of back-up on any schedule you want.

Security

Microsoft has been justifiably criticized in the past for their cavalier approach to secure computing.  Vista is a major step forward in this regard.  The Firewall is much more robust than the one in XP.  Vista's Internet Explorer offers an even more secure environment than Internet Explorer 7 offers on XP. 

At first I was annoyed with the dialog boxes that popped up every time I tried to run an application, but it takes a second out of my life and it could pervent a lot of pain if the wrong program got a hold of my computer.

Stability

I think Windows XP is a pretty stable platform and Vista seems even more so.  My main gripe with the stability in XP was that the task manager sometimes won't stop a runaway application.  So far Vista has done well in that regard.

Hardware Hungry

Every new OS requires more memory and a faster processor than its predecessor.  That is true of Vista as well.  Since there are very few applications and almost no hardwear that requires Vista, most people won't feel the need to upgrade their existing computer to Vista.  On the other hand, it is probably not a good idea to buy a new computer with an OS that hit the market in October of 2001.  Eventually there will be hardware and software that is not backward compatible to Windows XP. 

Summary

Vista is ready for prime time, but there is no pressing need to upgrade an existing computer to Vista.  Windows 95 and Windows XP were major leaps forward.  Vista is more evolutionary than revolutionary.