Buy a new PC these days and you’ll likely see Microsoft’s new operating system called Windows Vista. More than any other Microsoft release, Windows Vista has tended to polarise those who’ve used it – you either love its features and security or else you loathe its usability and security.
It would be fair to say that Vista has copped more bricks than it has bouquets in some quarters and for sure, there are a few things in our view that Microsoft needs to improve before Vista is as good as Windows XP. But over the coming months, we’ll look at this new operating system, how it works and how to make it work the way you want.
Before we dive in, though, it might be well worth looking at just what Windows Vista is.
When Microsoft released Windows XP, it came out as two simple versions: Home Edition and Professional. Later on, the company released Windows XP Media Center Edition for use with TV tuner cards and PCs used as home theatre systems.
Windows Vista, on the other hand, has five different versions straight off the bat: Windows Vista Starter Edition, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate.
What’s the difference between the versions?
Microsoft released Windows Vista Starter Edition mainly as a low-cost option for the developing world. If you happen to find a copy in New Zealand, be warned that it’s very limited in features and function.
Vista Home Basic is the cheapest option and the one you’ll see most in PCs or notebooks under $1000 (although you may see it in brand-name notebooks up to about $1300). It has all the basic functionality of Windows Vista except that it doesn’t come with the new Aero interface.
Aero is the codename for new features that give Vista much of its new look; features like Flip 3D, a tool that gives you a 3D view of your opened applications. Instead of usingAlt-Tab to move between them, you hold down the Windows key and press the Tab key to get a neat three-dimensional view. Aero also includes the Glass transparency and fade-in/fade-out features.
Home Basic also lacks Windows Media Center, the slick home theatre-style interface used for digital TV, DVDs and the like.
Windows Vista Home Premium is the better value option for home users, as it comes with Aero and Windows Media Center built in.
Vista Business edition features Aero, but not the Media Center software and is better suited for small business use, with included features such as Complete PC Backup and Restore.
Finally, Vista Ultimate edition includes everything that opens and shuts. However, buy it at retail price and it will cost you around $700! The good news is you’ll find many local PC builders will offer you a legitimate OEM (original equipment manufacture) version for around one-third of that when you buy it with a new computer – just make sure you get a restoration or installation DVD with your system.
How to get Windows Vista
So, there are two ways to get hold of Windows Vista: go and pick up a retail copy from a computer store or wait and pick up a copy when you buy your next computer. We recommend that you go for the second option. There are plenty of reasons for this, but mainly, it’s much cheaper buying it with a computer and someone will have already installed it for you.
The second reason is that while Microsoft claims Vista has driver support for some 14,000 different hardware devices, there are plenty of older Windows XP-aged peripherals that won’t have driver support. I personally have run into trouble with two older soundcards that work fine in Windows XP, but don’t have drivers for Windows Vista.
So, it’s worth waiting until you buy new hardware before you start tearing your hair out getting Vista to work on your older computer system.
Can I still get Windows XP?
If you’re after Windows XP instead, Microsoft says you’ve got until June 30th 2008 next year to pick up a copy from retail stores and until June 30th, 2009 after that to pick up a system with XP installed from a vendor that still offers it. After that, it’s Vista only.