A good reason to postpone that PC purchase: Vista is moribund
Filed under: Shopping, Technology
There is a great deal of conflicting information about when Microsoft will release its newest version of Windows, Windows 7. The company CEO announced this week that Microsoft is releasing a free beta (test) version on Friday, January 9th, while Silicon Valley Insider reports an MS exec's speculation that the OS in final form wouldn't hit the market until perhaps 2010. This follows an earlier rumor that the OS would be loaded on new PCs around the middle of 2009.
What does this mean to you? It means you might want to hold off on purchasing a PC running Windows Vista, at least until Microsoft promises a free upgrade at the time of the Windows 7 release. Given the problems users have encountered with Vista, one can only hope that Windows 7 is an improvement. Many users are still clinging to their old Microsoft XP, and I can't blame them. I've had dozens of blue screens with Vista when I had almost none with XP. In fact, Dell has found such demand that it has been able to charge an extra $150 bucks just to replace Vista with XP on new computers ordered.
As far as Microsoft's offer of a free beta version of Windows 7? Given its track record of putting out software that isn't ready for prime time (oh, Windows Millennium,) why would you want to take on a version even less polished? Unless you feel the need to punish your computer...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-25-2009 @ 9:14PM
it'Simple said...
It's not just Windows Vista vs 7, it's what version of Windows do I need? It's hard enough to choose a new computer, now I have to pick which version of the Windows OS I need too? That results in a bad experience before I've even opened the box.
How is it that Apple is so successful with one version of their OS? One version does what its user-base needs to do.
Apple is patiently waiting with Snow Leopard; waiting for MS to release their Leopard-esque Windows 7. Then, Apple will release Snow Leopard, one-upping what MS just spent 2 years copying.
The iMac and iPod were the gateway drug for Apple, now it's the iPhone and iPod Touch with the App Store. The iMac/iPhone/iPod experience is desired on all levels and only Apple can deliver that. It's amazing to think Apple has been this successful and the iPhone/iPod Touch are just at the beginning of their life cycle.
Soon, the Apple experience will be in your home - running utilities, helping your kids with homework, planning the night's entertainment, handling music and communications/directions in your car, and what ever else Mac fans need. It's just a matter of time - there is so much to be done "different" and better.
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1-26-2009 @ 7:39AM
Nathan said...
"Soon, the Apple experience will be in your home - running utilities, helping your kids with homework, planning the night's entertainment, handling music and communications/directions in your car, and what ever else Mac fans need. It's just a matter of time - there is so much to be done "different" and better."
...so everything Microsoft currently does?
plus.. the mac store sucks (they need a point system like the Zune Marketplace, and the 'social' aspect). And apple is way too restrictive for developers.
Lastly, all companies copy each other, its how they all stay competitive; its not a one-way street.
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2-12-2009 @ 6:39AM
Anita Harris said...
I've now spent 61 hours trying to resolve Vista issues on my six-month-old Toshiba...and counting. It took MS tech support three months of back and forth emails to determine that the original operating system was corrupted and another three months of email reminders, then online chat and calls for them to send me a replacement CD. When the CD arraived, two weeks ago, I had to completely restore my computer in order to install a Vista version that included Service Pack I. The new OS is not working properly (I'll spare you the details) and MS tech support has told told that files from the new CD are corrupted. My advice: steer clear of Vista (and Microsoft) if you can. AMH, New Cambridge Observer www.newcambridgeobserver.wordpress.com
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