bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Weeks

Strengths: Solid enhancement to the XP platform.

Weaknesses: Overzealous needs to request change confirmations, media rights management, and some driver incompatibility.

Summary: We have used Vista before, as installed on Dell made computers, but this was the first time we actually installed it from scratch on a home made computer. The process was easier and quicker than expected; seemed easier to me than clean installs of other Windows versions. An overall great upgrade, but I hate how it handles media rights management (requiring some validation software to reinstall frequently needing computer restart); I also did not like finding my Dell A940 printer relegated to incompatibility.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Looks Good, Improved networking, plays DVD's (without needing third party solution), and seem to be more stable. Also,can do a clean install.

Weaknesses: Price, activation process, slower file management, and not compatible with older software and hardware.

Summary: Vista sure is pretty. Beyond that, however, vista is more of an aggravation than it is worth. Many of your third party utilities and older programs will not run in vista -so be prepared to replace them. Make sure that any hardware you purchase is also vista compatible. Also, if your operating system crashes vista has an automatic repair feature that can recover it and get you on your way. You no longer have to purchase software to play or watch DVD's and networking is much improved and easier to set up a home network. I have been using for about a year and although it is slower than XP in just about everything, it not as bad as some have reported.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 2 Days

Strengths: It's prettier than my XP. Run's the tutorials just fine.

Weaknesses: Most of your XP apps will not install or run right.

Summary: Ok. Some one told me that, since I was upgrading my hardware I should go and upgrade to the new pretty operating system "Vista", and I forgot what my mother told me, about how, "beauty is, what beauty does". The only thing worse than trying to use Vista, is trying to use it on my old slower system. It would have crawled and not worked. My advice is wait till next year. Microsoft will have done some major work on it and some (not all) of the apps you run, will have updated their product's and drivers. This product should have been call "Windows 2008. Some apps and hardware will never be updated and you will have to purchase newer software and hardware. You will need to upgrade your processor and graphics card (in other words you may need a new system).

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: graphic interface

Weaknesses: computer requirements

Summary: after a long wait Vista came out with 4 different versions; this one is intended for home users who have little bit more demands i.e. graphics and are willing to pay little bit more than for just regular home version; after all very good upgrade to XP

Rating: 4

Time with product: 1 Days

Strengths: Nice look

Weaknesses: Beware! Not all software that works on xp will work on vista! Before you buy the software or accsessories, make sure on the box that it is compatible with vista

Summary: I dislike vista, because all the programs I was able to use on windows xp, I can no longer use. I suggest waiting a while before getting this one, so the programs will be set to use on vista.