Windows Vista...PC World Review

Larry_OHF · 01-30-2007, 10:31 AM

Full article found here:
http://tech.msn.com/microsoft/articl...1433991&page=1

For those that do not care to read all five pages of details, here is the final page synopsis, as I am quoting it directly from the author.

The Bottom Line
All in all, Windows Vista is a great leap forward for the operating system, with a much-improved, far more useful (and pleasurable) interface; faster, better search; beefed-up security that's a big improvement over Windows XP with SP2; and far, far better networking. There are some clunkers in there, though, such as the annoying UAC feature.

But the pluses make you forget the minuses. I've been using Windows Vista alongside Windows XP for months, and every time I have to switch back to a Windows XP-based PC, I feel like I've moved from a modern automobile back to a Model T. Sure, the old model will eventually get you where you're going--but the ride won't be as much fun.

Pluses and Minuses, Versions and Costs
Here's a summary of the pros and cons, and a table of the versions and their costs.

Five Things We Love
AERO: Transparent windows, tasteful animation, elegant design: Sure, it looks like a Mac, but why not steal from the best?
SEARCH: Fast, smart, and you can create virtual search folders to revisit your searches with a single click.
NETWORK MAP: Finally, Microsoft gets networking right; it's a great way to get an overview of your network and its devices.
WIRELESS NETWORKING: Connecting to multiple wireless networks and hotspots is a simple affair.
SECURITY: You get a firewall with outbound filtering, a better browser, and a lot under the hood offering better protection.

Five Things We Hate
USER ACCOUNT CONTROL: Who needs a virtual nagging nanny?
BACKUP: How could Microsoft have built such a brain-dead application?
WINDOWS MEETING SPACE: With worthless chat and no telephony, this isn't a virtual meeting I'd want to attend.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: Be prepared to spend a bundle for hardware upgrades--or a new computer.
PRICE: $399 new, or $299 for the upgrade to Windows Ultimate? No operating system should cost that much. And the cheapest version, Basic ($199 full, $100 upgrade), isn't worth the trouble.

Hivetyrant · 01-30-2007, 03:45 PM

They neglected to mention the one feature that a lot of us are excited about, and that's DirectX 10, DX10 is gonna change gaming and is half the reason I upgraded

PurpleXVI · 01-30-2007, 03:49 PM

They're not actually going to require it until later this year, and you also need a card that can take it.

DX10 isn't going to change gaming anyway, it's just going to make it look prettier. The only thing that'll change gaming is game developers.

Hivetyrant · 01-30-2007, 05:23 PM

Well i'm not one of those people that believe "Graphics don't make the game" and I think making games look better and adding more realism WILL change gaming.

Plus DX10 is faster and more efficient, so it will have an impact on everyone that games with it.

PurpleXVI · 01-30-2007, 05:28 PM

Making it look more real won't necessarily make it more realistic. That's more up to the physics engine and the AI programming.

More efficiency, though, that'll help, that'll leave more power left over for the programs to expend on interesting behind-the-scenes stuff like the aforementioned physics and AI.

Bozos of Bones · 01-30-2007, 06:26 PM

Well, since both Vista and DX10 were designed from scratch, rather than how Microsoft used to do business, we may expect a performance mark-up since there's no old junk cluttering stuff up.

SpiritWarrior · 01-30-2007, 06:56 PM

Eventually Dx10 games will be released though, won't they?

PurpleXVI · 01-30-2007, 07:32 PM

Actually I heard they're going straight to Dx11, Dx10 is just a joke that replaces every single texture in all games with a picture of a wizard riding a unicorn over a rainbow in space.

Hivetyrant · 01-30-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PurpleXVI:
Actually I heard they're going straight to Dx11, Dx10 is just a joke that replaces every single texture in all games with a picture of a wizard riding a unicorn over a rainbow in space.

......
I just spilled Pepsi all over my desk and almost ruined a CER I just had approved.

Somehow, you made my day!

BTW, I would buy Vista just for that

Felix The Assassin · 01-30-2007, 08:44 PM

That is one excellent synopsis!

01-30-2007, 10:31 AM	#1
Larry_OHF Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Midlands, South Carolina Age: 49 Posts: 14,759	Full article found here: http://tech.msn.com/microsoft/articl...1433991&page=1 For those that do not care to read all five pages of details, here is the final page synopsis, as I am quoting it directly from the author. The Bottom Line All in all, Windows Vista is a great leap forward for the operating system, with a much-improved, far more useful (and pleasurable) interface; faster, better search; beefed-up security that's a big improvement over Windows XP with SP2; and far, far better networking. There are some clunkers in there, though, such as the annoying UAC feature. But the pluses make you forget the minuses. I've been using Windows Vista alongside Windows XP for months, and every time I have to switch back to a Windows XP-based PC, I feel like I've moved from a modern automobile back to a Model T. Sure, the old model will eventually get you where you're going--but the ride won't be as much fun. Pluses and Minuses, Versions and Costs Here's a summary of the pros and cons, and a table of the versions and their costs. Five Things We Love AERO: Transparent windows, tasteful animation, elegant design: Sure, it looks like a Mac, but why not steal from the best? SEARCH: Fast, smart, and you can create virtual search folders to revisit your searches with a single click. NETWORK MAP: Finally, Microsoft gets networking right; it's a great way to get an overview of your network and its devices. WIRELESS NETWORKING: Connecting to multiple wireless networks and hotspots is a simple affair. SECURITY: You get a firewall with outbound filtering, a better browser, and a lot under the hood offering better protection. Five Things We Hate USER ACCOUNT CONTROL: Who needs a virtual nagging nanny? BACKUP: How could Microsoft have built such a brain-dead application? WINDOWS MEETING SPACE: With worthless chat and no telephony, this isn't a virtual meeting I'd want to attend. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: Be prepared to spend a bundle for hardware upgrades--or a new computer. PRICE: $399 new, or $299 for the upgrade to Windows Ultimate? No operating system should cost that much. And the cheapest version, Basic ($199 full, $100 upgrade), isn't worth the trouble. __________________

01-30-2007, 06:26 PM	#6
Bozos of Bones Apophis Join Date: July 29, 2003 Location: The Underdark cavern of Zagreb Age: 38 Posts: 4,679	Well, since both Vista and DX10 were designed from scratch, rather than how Microsoft used to do business, we may expect a performance mark-up since there's no old junk cluttering stuff up. __________________ MAKE LOVE, NOT SPAM!

01-30-2007, 06:56 PM	#7
SpiritWarrior Jack Burton Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,854	Eventually Dx10 games will be released though, won't they? __________________ Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon...

01-30-2007, 08:44 PM	#10
Felix The Assassin The Dreadnoks Join Date: September 27, 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 62 Posts: 3,608	That is one excellent synopsis! __________________ The Lizzie Palmer Tribute Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy 35th President of The United States The Last Shot Honor The Fallen Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom. If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.

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01-30-2007, 03:45 PM	#2
Hivetyrant Jack Burton Join Date: August 24, 2002 Location: Aussie now in the US of A! Age: 38 Posts: 5,403	They neglected to mention the one feature that a lot of us are excited about, and that's DirectX 10, DX10 is gonna change gaming and is half the reason I upgraded

01-30-2007, 03:49 PM	#3
PurpleXVI Emerald Dragon Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: Denmark Age: 39 Posts: 903	They're not actually going to require it until later this year, and you also need a card that can take it. DX10 isn't going to change gaming anyway, it's just going to make it look prettier. The only thing that'll change gaming is game developers.

01-30-2007, 05:23 PM	#4
Hivetyrant Jack Burton Join Date: August 24, 2002 Location: Aussie now in the US of A! Age: 38 Posts: 5,403	Well i'm not one of those people that believe "Graphics don't make the game" and I think making games look better and adding more realism WILL change gaming. Plus DX10 is faster and more efficient, so it will have an impact on everyone that games with it.

01-30-2007, 05:28 PM	#5
PurpleXVI Emerald Dragon Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: Denmark Age: 39 Posts: 903	Making it look more real won't necessarily make it more realistic. That's more up to the physics engine and the AI programming. More efficiency, though, that'll help, that'll leave more power left over for the programs to expend on interesting behind-the-scenes stuff like the aforementioned physics and AI.

01-30-2007, 07:32 PM	#8
PurpleXVI Emerald Dragon Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: Denmark Age: 39 Posts: 903	Actually I heard they're going straight to Dx11, Dx10 is just a joke that replaces every single texture in all games with a picture of a wizard riding a unicorn over a rainbow in space.

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