bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Very stable - Haven't seen a BSOD or been forced to reboot.The eye candy is dazzling as are the feature content.

Weaknesses: As usual w/ Microsoft's bloated OS, the hardware requirements are ever higher.There is a learning curve for new users. Even experienced users need to check out running under new security "features."

Summary: First thing - If you didn't have a top-of-the-line, bleeding-edge system in '06, you'll likely need to upgrade for this OS. It'll run in 'reduced' mode, but, it simply isn't worth it. I run a Core-2Duo-6750, 4GB Crucial 800Mhz w/an 8600GT Fatality 256Mb card. If you buy the sale pc (aka: The Loss Leader) from a retailer for under $1000, don't blame the poor performance on Vista.At idle, with no apps open, the OS gobbles up 750+ MB RAM.The new security framework prevents installs to automatically install under admin permissions unless you specifically tell them so. This is a hurdle experienced users tend to miss, or get frustrated with.

Rating: 2

Time with product: 4 Days

Strengths: wouldnt know

Weaknesses: would not finish installing

Summary: after 20+ installs (trying everything i read online). i called microsoft, i talked to the research team three times with out any help. i have spent about 30 hours loading this junk. XP loaded fine.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: This is the most stable Windows ever and it hasen't corrupted on me once (unlike every other windows) and it also runns faster and is more responsive then previous versions of windows.

Weaknesses: The only weaknesses I can think of are the early drivers (which will improve and isn't just a Vista problem) and a couple of online games I had needed to be updated in order to work.

Summary: I have been using Vista since the second Beta version and it has been good but once Nvidia got there new drivers out and my games got updated I have totally stopped using XP and now use Vista as my sole OS. (until I install linux again)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 6 Months

Strengths: Excellent interface and better security.

Weaknesses: Its still a babe right now and might take a bit longer to catch up with XP in terms of compatibility.

Summary: This is the OS of the future. I beta tested vista and then got my retail copy on the day it came out and haven't regretted it yet. The Aero interface feels a lot faster than XP and programs start up a heck of a lot faster on my system than XP. All my programs work with Vista, with the exception of one game that I have to boot into XP for. Thats alright because there are times when every OS vender has to draw the line between compatibility and moving forward, if not we would all still be using dos. By the way my stats are Athlon X2 +3800, nvidia 7600 gs video card, 2 gig memory, and two 250 gig hd

Rating: 2

Time with product:

Strengths: High security features to the point of being annoying!

Weaknesses: Lack of functionality for several fairly new programs (games).

Summary: My thoughts about Microsoft in general is that the reason for them to be in business is to bring hardware features of the PC into an easy to use software format for the consumer. I have been using MS products since Windows 3.1 so I am no newbie. Yet the ease of use is not improving and I think Microsoft has lost its purpose! Before this I ran 64 bit pro and it was much more friendly than Vista. As an example since the improvements to media player 11 it is almost impossible to configure my SB XFi sound card to the right configuration to operate a DVD with audible voices in a movie though having the most up to date drivers. Can't even get a proper speaker configuration running 7.1 sound, go figure! The duplicity each time I want to run a program is aggravating, annoying at best. Backtracking each OS reversed in time has been better than anything new. I am taking this product back to the store for a refund..and tonight Microsoft got an email describing exactly "what I think." Back to the 64 bit OS!