Microsoft Windows Vista is on the shelves and being forced into the public spectrum. Almost every major store ships their computers and laptops with a version of Vista, completely denying consumers the choice of more stable and functional operating systems such as XP and Linux. Moreover, Microsoft has already announced that support for Windows XP will cease in two years, further slamming its anvil on the PC world. Reviews have been mixed regarding Vista, but we're sure you're wondering the same thing—is it worth upgrading or buying a new computer with Vista? The answer is quite simple—not right now and perhaps, not ever.
Vista is very pretty and has implemented many new features that are effective, like added security settings and a desktop search. As for functionality and ease of use, Vista is nothing more than an overly bloated Windows XP. In a FOXNews article, an experienced computer user became so frustrated with software compatibility problems that “he "upgraded," as he called it, back to XP.” It's been over six months since Vista's release and the problems are not going away. Here is a list of common Vista issues we've compiled to aid you in your next computer decision.
PRICE: Vista Home Premium is $239, $159 upgrade; Vista Ultimate costs $399, $259 upgrade. This nearly doubles the price of the XP predecessor. Consumers are also dishing out extra bucks due to Vista's taxing hardware demands. Simply to run the operating system, it takes more RAM, hard drive space, and a compatible graphics card. This means that cheaper models that could run XP at cheetah speed are sputtering with Vista.
SETUP ISSUES: Upgrading and setting up Vista will take a lot of effort and time. Many programs will not work. A lot of things that should transfer easily are impossible and frustrating. If you're doing simple tasks such as surfing the web and word processing, Vista works great; however, the price is so much higher that such users would benefit from staying put in their current operating system.
COMPATIBILITY: Many printers that worked flawlessly in XP are inoperable in Vista. So many hardware and software incompatibilities have crippled millions of businesses and users who now regret the upgrade.
SEVERE USER LIMITATIONS: The Vista user agreement, which one must adhere to in order to use the operating system, raises many red flags.
1. The agreement only gives users a few rights to use the software. All other rights belong to Microsoft.
2. If you do not like Vista's limitations, Microsoft says in the agreement that "you may not work around any technical limitations in the software."
3. Microsoft has the right to regularly check the legitimacy of the software (which you paid for) and CAN DELETE certain programs without your knowledge.
4. Microsoft can revalidate the software anytime or it may require you to reactivate it if you make changes to ‘your’ computer components.
5. Microsoft
has set significant limits on users’ ability to copy or
transfer the software. It prohibits anything more than a single backup
copy and has set strict limits on transferring the software to
different devices or users.
6. Only Windows Defender, Microsoft's attempt at an anti-virus program
–will determine what constitutes unwanted software. That
means Microsoft can install Spyware and Adware at its discretion,
leaving the end user with no recourse.
7. Vista Content protection only helps Big Media: A
computer scientist in New Zealand found that Vista
intentionally degrades the picture quality of premium content when
played on most computer monitors. Microsoft wants you to see that
content on TV or bigger, pricier displays.
Conclusion? If you haven't
a care in the world about your printer or pivotal programs working,
and if you're willing to give up complete control to Microsoft, then
give Vista a try. It's visually pleasing and in the next two years,
one can only hope that Microsoft will work out the bugs, much like in
previous operating systems. Due to a massive public outcry, the two
largest computer retailers, Dell and Hewlett Packard, are providing
consumers choice by selling Linux on select laptops and desktops. In
some
instances, computers can still be shipped out with XP. For more
information on Vista's woes, please read the following articles:
FOXNews.com: "Windows Vista Problems Still Deter Adoption"
APC
Magazine: "Vista: 150 problems, 0 solutions"
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