Road Testing Vista

by Barbara Eastom Bates | More from this Blogger

13 Feb 2007 07:25 PM

I fight with myself every time a new Windows operating system is released. On one hand, let's be practical. Newly released software is frequently buggy. Why mess with it until it's been tweaked and tuned and becomes less likely to make you want to bang your head into your keyboard like that ex-significant other?

On the other hand, if it's new, state of the art, and shiny, I've just got to try it, consequences be darned.

So I have officially upgraded to Vista, despite the naysayers and doomsday prophecies, and, so far, so good.

The box claims you can run Vista on a machine with 512 MB RAM, although Windows automatically disables components of the operating system when it's installed on a system with less than 1 GB RAM. To get the full effect of all the new features, including Aero, stick with machines running 1 GB RAM or higher (and absolutely forget about upgrading if you have anything less than 512 K).

Most of my applications and peripherals transitioned seamlessly without need of installation CD's. Drivers were automatically installed for my video iPod and Sony Digital Camera after being plugged into the USB port, as well as for my wireless keyboard and mouse. The one casualty of the upgrade was my Creative Web Cam, circa 2004, which was completely incompatible.

But what about the "Wow" factor?

Vista has some useful upgrades. It comes pre-packaged with security tools like Windows Defender, anti-spam and phishing filters, and built-in diagnostics. Upgrades to search and organizational tools, including the ability to to tag media, make it easier to find the things you're looking for. Photos and media can be edited as you preview them, without a separate graphics program. And, the addition of the Windows sidebar brings RSS feeds, widgets, and media to the desktop. The biggest thing you'll notice about Vista, however, is the slicked up interface--stunning visual effects, animations, transparent glass menus, and live preview thumbnails of open programs.

But the bottom line? Although possessing a lot of solid improvements over XP, most of what Vista has to offer isn't essential, and many of it's features are also available for XP systems. If you're ready to upgrade, you'll enjoy the conveniences it offers. But if the hefty hardware requirements make you less than eager to to jump on the Vista bandwagon until all the bugs are worked out, you'll do just fine without it.

More on Vista:

Microsoft Vista - System Requirements

Did You Upgrade to Vista?

Learn more about Barbara Eastom Bates

Barbara Eastom Bates is a freelance writer and self-professed computer geek living in southern California.

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