Vista: Get it now or wait?

[was]

I'd wait at least a few months. There's sure to be quite a few bugs they still have to work out.

 

[jujutsunerd]

Windows Vista releases out on Tuesday, and I'm wondering if it's worth picking up now or waiting for potential problems to be sorted out.

<generic_software_buying_advice>
Never buy the .0 release.
</generic_software_buying_advice>

 

[Agamon]

I honestly believe that Microsoft has made an error with this OS. It remains to be seen if they will recover from it - but the last time I was thin unexcited about Windows - it was Windows 2.0

I was never so much excited as, "Thank God, something to replace this brutal OS (whether it was 95, 98, or ME). XP isn't all that bad, in comparison. DX10 looks like it'll make some nice games, but it'll be some time before that tech becomes reality.

 

[Andur]

I would avoid Vista if at all possible. Even above the observations posted here already - the DRM aspect is just plain evil. Anyone considering Vista should take the time to read A Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection. Look for alternatives (they are getting better and better all the time - many without the restrictions being imposed on you by Vista) or stick with XP.

Interesting, I haven't come up against a single one of the issues raised in that article. Voice works great on Vent, TS, and my VOIP corporate provider. I don't have any "stolen" music on my PC and have had no trouble playing it over headphones or speakers, and in fact I can now play it on wireless speakers which I couldn't do before.

For those interested in games, well come 4Q 2008 there will be few new games coming out that are not DX10, so you have time, but not much. I still prefer a 'nux system, but not enough software folks agree with me, they rather program for the 5 ton giant and emulating isn't always an option...

Wait til this summer would be my suggestion, with MS' record SP0.5 will be hitting around then...

 

[Michael Morris]

I played with Vista for about 2 months. It offers no compelling reason to upgrade from XP, and quite a few DRM related reasons NOT to upgrade.

 

[Ranger REG]

...and quite a few DRM related reasons NOT to upgrade.

Would you kindly elaborate on the DRM issues?

 

[Michael Morris]

Would you kindly elaborate on the DRM issues?

IronWolf already linked them. Suffice to say I don't want 75% of my processor power protecting $ony et al's profits.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Yup. Preach it brother.

Whoever dreamed this up in Redmond is a nutbar. This won't sell in the consumer market. Pure and simple. Nay - I'll go further - I wouldn't even PIRATE Vista or install a legitimate free copy.

I'm not a Microsoft basher. I think they make great products. But this isn't one of them and they have seriously miscalculated the consumer. This is not going to be readily purchased by the those consumers who have a choice.

For those stuck with pre-installed OS - this is not going to go over well when the tech savvy buzz is overwhelmingly negative (and it will be). When that negative buzz gets loud, watch for Dell to sometime in the next year make a move and choose not to pre-bundle it.

The back-pedaling in Redmond will start real fast at that point and the DRM downgraded signals will come to an end.

Games aside, the principle rational choice other than XP (which is a decent OS) would seem to be Ubuntu (and I am not a fan of Linux at all.)

Ubuntu is free and it installs relatively painlessly for the broad mass of users. For linux, it's as noob friendly as it gets and it looks pretty enough.

 

[ssampier]

If the DRM is bad as they make it out to be, maybe it'll be like Sony backpedaling after the root kit scandal.

That aside, it's never a good idea to upgrade to a brand-new Windows. Let other people be the beta testers. Upgrade in the corporate time-frame of six to eight months (or not).

 

[Michael Morris]

Nah, not Linux. OS X Leopard. From what I've heard it will be released for all Intel Processor PC's, not just Apple's own. If that is indeed the case I expect some SERIOUS pain for M$ as Apple is about 2 generations ahead of Windows Vista and 5 ahead of Linux.