Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium -- WOW

Author's Rating:

Pros: New look, feel, appears to be very secure compared to past versions.

Cons: Pricey Upgrade, several versions, Vista Home Basic not good choice add dollars, go PREMIUM.

The Bottom Line: 
WindowsXP system running great, no issues, keep it. Vista sweet but comes with a premium price tag. Waiting may bring cost down. NeedToStayCurrent-- Don't buy below Home Premium.

Author's Review
THE WAIT

Let's face it folks, Microsoft took five years to bring us this latest OS (OS = Operating System) to market. The WOW is it finally arrived. I couldn't wait for the release date to arrive the anticipation was like waiting for Santa during the magical hours of Christmas Eve and Christmas day. To anxious to sleep and to worn out that bright eyes finally kiss the night. Of course life got in the way so I didn't have an opportunity to make the acquisition. A few weeks later I begin reading a wealth of horror stories spidering across the world wide web. My appetite was ravenous though logic kept nagging me to wait so I did.

THE HORROR

As you are likely aware most of the horror stories judge and convict but provide little information as to the system they have actually installed Windows Vista on. While the stories grow by leaps an bounds I was able to determine by deduction and elimination these individuals were attempting fate by installing on older systems.

THE NEED TO BUY

Therefore I proceeded to purchase a single unit of Windows Vista Premium Upgrade. My initial plan was to install over the present Windows XP PRo Media Center OS. But when the time came on that beloved Saturday to install I went FRESH all the way. Once Vista had migrated to the hard drive and feed fresh blood to all the thirsty copper veins my computer was alive once again. The actual installation took approximately one hour from start to finish.

ISSUES ARE LIMITED

A problem did arise on reboot, the login screen remain black, putting the computer into sleep mode and waking up the LCD lit up. Turned out to be a simple BIOs issue. One quick and easy bio upgrade and the computer was new and ready to go.

PROBLEMS RESOLVED WITHOUT BLOOD LOSS

Shutting down and rebooting, sending the computer into standby or hibernation everything appeared to function properly. Yes! The exception is coming — the wireless internet would display an exclamation point over its icon and access would not be granted. A reboot cold or warm would rectify the issue but was inconvenient. Driver issue was first thought then I monitored it more closely and noticed power management was not suppling a decent feed of power to the wireless adapter. When the power is set to balanced or performance this issue does not arise. However, to ensure maximum battery life is achieved the wireless device is the first item to have power reduced even when it is the function being used most.

BELLS AND WHISTLES DELIGHT

I enjoy the new look and feel of Vista and the sidebar with the gadgets. Have the family photos in SlideShow mode, keeping current on the weather conditions has been convenient. Aero is sweet but rarely used except when I have a number of windows open. Vista is a clean modern interface with bells and whistles to grab attention. No kids menu here the OS now has an adult classiness. Looks aren't everything though -- The system is far more secure then previous versions of Windows including Windows XP Pro. You also have more control over the security settings and whom you want to have access to files.

WILL MY FAVORITE PROGRAMS RUN

Most Windows XP programs run well on Vista, though there are several that need updated patches or out-right replacements. Programs purchased within the last two years should have no problems or an update patch from the software vendor should solve any issues.

TOO MUCH TO INCLUDE

Windows Vista Home Premium has too many new or improved features to cover in such a brief review. One thing to note is Vista comes with a marginal learning curve. One really needs to just play around the environment and make one self familiar with everything. If you are completely new to Windows, this may take some time. For those that are consider experts not quite as long.

BACK IT UP

Luckily Windows Vista has a backup program included. It works well. I set this feature up shortly after the system was tweaked. [I was somewhat unsure of Vista's talents so my copy resides on a notebook computer. I'm considering Vista Ultimate for my main workstation and Home Premium for my secondary computer.] The backup utility can be set to run automatically, when using a DVD burner as the storage drive Vista locks the drive to that function. I opted for a manual run of the program -- this allows me more control as to when and where I want the next backup to begin, and it saves a little bit of ram by not running in the background. Even with 2GBs it doesn't hurt to keep as much as possible available.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Windows Vista has a fresh attractive interface. Installation is 1, 2, 3 simple. Once DVD is in drive it literally performs all the tasks for you. I would suggest you run Windows Vista Advisor prior to installation so you can have drivers and bio updates on hand if needed. You will also be informed regarding any hardware upgrades that may be needed. Set some time aside just to play around with the new environment because some of your most use tasks involving the control panel and device manager appear somewhat differently. The way the system handles searches makes finding pictures, video, programs and files a breeze. Regardless of whom markets and OS, no program is going to be 100% safe or reliable, it's a difficult task to create for millions of computers with just as many different configurations. This in my opinion thus far over the few months I've been using Vista is the most superior operating system Microsoft has released to date. The soft fades in and out of opening and closing windows is refreshing.

I pray this review has been helpful for you as you decide on whether to leap into Vista now or later. Of course the longer you wait the more of the bugs and tweaks will have been corrected.