Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit for System Builders [DVD]

Customer Reviews

Great price and quick delivery time make for good business

2007-02-22
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Although I had my own personal hardware problems getting this version of Vista setup, I was eventually able to persevere.

For those that meet the hardware requirements for this software, I would recommend this highly. I have not gotten a chance to tinker with the exclusive ultimate features quite yet as I am still getting a handle of navigating the new Vista layout of its interface. But so far everything is great and I am really enjoying Vista Ultimate. Besides hardware and driver issues that you may experience if you are considering buying this product and installing it on your own system there are definitely certain applications that Vista 64 bit will reject. So know that you can't install any old x86 32 bit program on this OS. But if you think you can cope with reduced software functionality this may be the right OS for you.

Cheaper but no Micorosoft Support

2007-02-04
This version of Windows Vista is the OEM version, which means that it does not come with a box or a manual, just a "Quick Install" guide. This is the FULL version of Vista but another thing that it is lacking is support from Microsoft. Because this version is intended for (as the title suggests) system builders, whoever that may be, they are the people who are supposed to provide the End User Support not Microsoft. It does, however, still include Windows Update so there do not think that you will not be getting updates from Microsoft, because you do. But if you are building a computer for your grandmother, and she BSOD's Vista, its up to you to fix it; Not Microsoft. Another difference between this version and the full 400 $ version is that this version only comes with the 64 Bit version of Windows Vista, but the full version comes with both the 32 and 64 Bit versions. So if you are pretty technology Savvy and you do not need Microsoft's support and you know what type of processor (64 or 32 bit) then the OEM version is the version for you.

Avoid this version

2007-02-03
If you change the teeny tiniest bit of hardware on your computer, you will need to repurchase this product. Microsoft WILL NOT let you reactivate.

To purchase the version of Vista that Microsoft will reactivate (after invasive, accusatory questioning from their support people over the phone), you need to spend $400 on the full version of Vista. Outrageous!

Great OS

2008-03-29
Even spending some hours looking for drivers for my HP Pavillion m9040n, it worths the trouble! Everything worked, but it would be impossible without a second computer connected to the Internet, used to find/download/transfer the basic drivers (at least the NIC driver). Once you connect the target PC to the Internet everything gets easier because the OS points out the drivers you need to install. If you are experient with OS installation I do recommend you this product.

OS not ready for the prime time..

2008-03-26
I just completed the installation. OS and drivers load fine but this is one hell of bloated OS with just too much overhead. My drive's constantly running with just a minor modification. With 8GBs of RAMs (800Mhz, 4-4-4-12) with QX9650 (3.66Ghz) I expected a substantial gain in performance but might have expected too much. If you want 8GBs of RAM with overwhelming gain in performance with the stability and compatibility, I recommend the Win XP x64 Edition. No doubt Vista has quite a fancy interfaces and somewhat stable, but it could get sluggish due to multiple background (Windows) processes running for the reasons I have yet to find out. I am doing a lot of works getting data from network drives via 1GB LAN connection. With WinXP x64 it only took 10~15 sec to transfer 750MB but took more than 2 and half minutes in Vista. Dvix encoding also took much longer to complete in Vista. It's all about looks but if you want to get some work done, get WinXp x64 instead.

Love Windows Vista

2008-03-11
Vista 64 flys. Let me tell you if you have a core duo or a quad core you need Vista 64. I have had no driver problems,and really no problems at all. I do wish the browser handled FTPs a bit differently but it's really no big deal. There is also a really annoying security pop up that appears when you install something or change a setting but this can be turned off in the control panel.

Something also to consider with this product is that because it is OEM it has no tech support. I personally never use windows tech support but if you think you may need it at sometime in the future them maybe its better to pay a little more and get the non-OEM version of Vista. If you like to trouble shoot your own problems then there is no reason not to get this product.

Make sure you know the major differences between this 64 bit and the 32 bit versions of Vista

2007-10-30
Runs most 32bit Vista applications. Programs like system diagnostic software and antivirus software are not all able to run on Vista 64.

Will not run any 32bit drivers. Cell phones, PDAs, webcams, network cards (wired & wireless) and others will not automatically work. If you have something that plugs in to your computer and cannot function with a generic driver, it will not work unless a specific 64bit driver is available for your device. A lot of older hardware (2years+, I know that's not really old) will not work. However, its easy to check. Just go to the manufacturers' website and look for vista 64bit software compatibility.

Vista 64bit can be reactivated if you change your hardware. The downside is that you may have to call in and reactivate it over the phone. I've had to do it twice now and it was painless (I mess with the insides of my computer a lot).

So why should you buy this version?
If you use more than 3GB of system memory, 32bit Vista will not use it to its full potential. You will need 64bit Vista.

Does not support 16 and 32 bit drivers!! Piece of caca

2007-07-24
I can no longer use my USB data cable for my cell phone and use Bitpim to up and download data files. stick to XP, old but good.