Customer Reviews
Ignore the Apple commercials. Vista is a great OS. 
2008-06-20
I've had my laptop since August 2007. It came with Vista Home Premium 32 bit installed on it and I upgraded to SP1 when it was released.
I will say this outright: I used XP before Vista and if your computer can run Vista smoothly, Vista will kick XP out the window. There are 3 things one must have to run Vista smoothly: a good processor (this is the minor one of the 3 since most people have good processors), a good video card, and at least 2GB of RAM. The video card and RAM are extremely important. If you don't have these, you will most likely not have a good Vista experience. One of Microsoft's mistakes when they created Vista was the RAM usage. The standard amount of RAM needed to run XP is less than 1GB. The standard amount of RAM needed for Vista is at least 2GB. Technically, I believe it can run on 1GB of RAM but I don't trust that. Vista is a much more powerful OS than XP, which is why it needs the good hardware. My computer is an HP Pavilion dv6000. I have an Intel Core Duo (not Core 2) 2GHz processor, 160GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM. I actually have an Intel chipset for graphics and my computer still runs fine. I do wish that I had gotten a graphics card just to make the performance even better. On a daily basis, with just the startup programs running, about 1GB of my RAM is used up. One of the coolest things about Vista is it's smart. If a program stops working, then Vista will automatically recognize the situation and search for a solution. I'm pretty sure XP doesn't do that.
My only complaint about Vista was the boot up time (notice I said "was", not "is"). My computer used to take 6 minutes to boot up in the morning. I didn't mind it though because I start my computer up while I'm getting dressed, etc. in the morning. SP1 cut the boot up time in half. The UAC is annoying, but you can turn it off. I have never had any problems with drivers, crashes, instability, blue screens of death, incompatibility issues, or anything else of that nature. When I plug in something like a new USB device, Vista finds the driver and installs it automatically within seconds. For the people who are having problems, I think the cause might be the hardware. Don't be so fast to blame Vista or Microsoft. Check your computer's hardware too.
Some people say Vista takes getting used to because everything is moved around. Not true. Some things are moved, but they are only moved in minor ways. Vista is a lot like XP in my opinion. The interface is Vista's strength. It kicks XP's butt. The sidebar is also cool. Vista's interface makes XP look like a basic piece of junk.
A little on Microsoft Office 2007. Yes, it's a different interface than the previous versions. But, it's very neatly and intuitively organized that it's pretty easy to learn. It took me about 10 minutes to learn Word 2007. The functions are organized first by 7 main tabs, which are Home, Insert, Page Layout, References, Mailing, Review, View. Then they are further subdivided into categories. Here's an example of the organization: say you're typing a Word document and you want to spell check it. Which main tab would you find spell check under? You're reviewing the document, right? So go to review. Spell check is the first function. It's under the subcategory of Proofing. Guess where bibliography tools are located? Under References and under the subcategory Citations & Bibliography. Very well and intuitively organized.
I recently let my mom use my laptop because the computer we have in our house is an outdated piece of crap (Pentium 3 700MHz, 300something MB of RAM). She isn't tech savvy at all and barely knows what OS stands for. She had never used Vista or Office 2007 prior to using my laptop. When she was done using it I asked her how she liked Vista and Office 2007. She loved them. Of course, my dad won't dare install Vista on our home computer because he would be screwed on the hardware by a mile.
Another thing: as I'm writing this I have 5 of my most RAM consuming programs running: Media Center, Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and iTunes. I think my laptop is running slightly slower than it normally does, but the difference is hard to notice.
Overall, Vista is a great operating system and it makes XP look like crap IF your computer has the hardware to handle it. People who are having problems should check their computer hardware and not be so fast to blame Microsoft and Vista. When I see the Apple commercials that make fun of Vista I laugh at them because one of my friends who is very tech savvy, smart, and majoring in computer engineering told me that Leopard got hacked within 2 hours of being released and that MacBook Air got hacked within 2 minutes. And by the way, I'm not a Microsoft employee. I'm a college student.
a mac user who now has a pc 2008-06-18
i am a mac user have been since i started using computers but i have also at the same time used pc's. however this is the first time i have bought windows to use as my main machine since losing my macbook which died on me. i do have to say this is THE BEST VERSION OF WINDOWS EVER!! its more secure do to the fact that microsoft went back and totally redesigned vista from the ground up in terms of security. for those that say this is just as buggy or has as much security problems as xp doesn't know what they are talking about. this is by far the easiest, most secure, reliable windows ever made. and no im not a microsoft agent.
Stick With XP And Be Happy 
2008-06-04
As a computer technician and software developer for over ten years, I suggest that everyone with Windows XP stay with XP, at least until Microsoft comes out with something more worthwhile to upgrade to.
Overall, Vista does come with a bunch of new and useful features, including a prettier interface. But all of these can be easily duplicated with free or cheap software. Many of these alternatives are as good or superior to the features they duplicate in Vista. Check out download.com, amazon.com & elsewhere for free or cheap software for XP that duplicates whatever features you want in Vista, such as antispyware or file/drive encryption.
Vista also has big hardware requirements. It essentially has double the memory requirements of XP (2 GB RAM should be your minimum for decent performance, try 4 GB for best performance).
Also, keep in mind that no version of Vista comes with antivirus software. It's essential to have antivirus software that is compatible with Vista. So pick up your favorite AV program if you're out of luck with your existing program. My favorite is ESET NOD32 Antivirus: very easy to use, lightweight and one of the most effective antivirus programs according to multiple independent lab tests. I also recommend either PC Tools Spyware Doctor or Webroot Spy Sweeper over Windows Defender for extra protection... Windows Defender (which comes with Vista), while moderately effective against adware, is next to useless against spyware & rootkits.
With Vista, you are also asking for headaches if you care about your computer working with your older hardware, such as printers, digital cameras, and so forth. I have seen some devices, even ones certified to work with Vista, not actually work with Vista. Many do work, but be forewarned and check with your existing device manufacturers for Vista support before purchasing this Vista upgrade. You may also run into issues with drivers for existing hardware, such as your sound or video hardware. Check with your computer manufacturer (e.g. Dell) to find out if they offer Vista drivers for your particular computer model. Software as well can be an issue, as some software (especially uncommon programs) may not work well or at all in Vista.
The bottom line: Upgrading from XP to Vista offers nothing you can't duplicate on XP for little to no cost, in exchange for $100+ and the potential for great headaches with existing software & hardware. Instead, find some free or cheap software that duplicates the features you want. If you must have Vista, good luck! Consider a new computer (with at least 2 GB RAM), which will save you from at least some of the aforementioned hassle (at least you'll know the computer itself will work, though perhaps not with existing old software or hardware), and rely on your older computer for anything that just won't work with Vista.
BIG MISTAKE FOR ME 
2008-05-31
I thought my computer was in bad shape (Blue screen repeats) when my operating system was Windows XP SP2. But now that I've installed Vista Home Premium it is in worse shape. If you have problems with your system when running with Windows XP, DO NOT UPGRADE to Vista. It would be better to backup your important files and then install Vista using the clean install method and then moving your files back in. At least I found that UPGRADING to Vista certainly did not solve my problems.
Garbage - Stick with XP as Long as You Can 2008-05-30
We ran one PC on Vista for the last year and several on XP. After a year of frustration and garbage performance from Vista, we just spent $300 to switch the Vista PC over to XP. Stay away from this stinker.
Vista Upgrade, a challenge - Are you sure you want Vista? 2008-07-07
The all-purpose upgrade is only 'all-purpose' after several hours on the phone and in chat sessions with very courteous and willing people from far, far away. Seems MS forgets to include all the set-up steps in their
'works with XP & 2K' upgrade to Vista. Oh, and did you know that you will lose your reliable laser printer and many of your other PRE-Vista hardware and software tools....either MS doesn't speak their language or they do not speak Vista. It is like going back to the early days of IBM....the new model comes out and you can toss the old one, only MS is not the maker of the com-pooters...??? Apple keeps looking better and better, though so much more priceyl; if Mr. Jobs weren't such an eletist, marketing at the highest prices and caring nothing about the consumer's wants or needs....
You will appreciate the Vista help folks, when you finally are able to be transferred to them....they have a special department just for helping you load the software....if that doesn't give you a clue as to the holes in their programming, you will find out when you load the DVD. Good luck.
Excellent 2008-07-05
I guess I am one of the few who like vista. I feel it is the best os from Microsoft bar none.Even compared to xp sp3 which is faster than sp2 Vista is still faster on my system anyway. Works very well with my computer what can I say I am satisfied.
My Vista SP1 Review 
2008-06-28
Vista is great very nice interface, fast boot times (faster then XP).
But a word of caution you need a newer processor (I would recommend a dual core), at least 2 gigs of Ram, and a descent video card. Also do not expect that your older programs will all run under vista many older versions will not, expect to be upgrading afew programs. But after trying it out for two months now I will not be going back to XP, There was certainly some frustration and learning involved in changing to a new operating system but eventually XP will no longer be supported and you will have to make the change.
Big Mistake 2008-06-24
I've owned a new 3.0GB intel Pentium D dual core computer for about two months, now, that came with Vista Home Premium. Knowing what I know now, I would never have bought a Vista machine. I've spent almost half my working time since then trying to solve operating system problems.
Vista will not synchronize PIM info with my Pocket PC, in fact, it looks like Microsoft has abandoned the Pocket PC, altogether, but I had to spend hours and hours experimenting and trying innefective "fixes" to find that out. Gee, I wonder why they don't advertise that?
Vista constantly interferes with and disrupts the operation of my MSOffice applications (OfficeXP Professional). Outlook will not save my email passwords with Vista and they have to be manually entered each time it updates email. Every time. While I'm working a dialoge box pops up to ask for my password in each email account. I have to stop and enter it or it will pop up again in a minute or two. I tried turning off email updates, but Vista won't let that preference be saved, either. Word and Excel are erratic as well. I have the very latest version of Internet Explorer, but it won't save History of sites visited. Yes, I've played with all the settings. A little research yielded the fact that Microsoft knows all this - they have knowledge base articles on the topics that send you in circles -without any solution.
Many Software applications (obviously including Microsoft applications) must be upgraded to work with Vista, some work poorly, some don't work at all.
I hold a multi-user license to excellent Anti-Virus Software I like much better than Norton or McAfee; very effective and unobtrusive. Even with the Vista version it can't start automatically at boot with Vista, which not only means I have to remember to start it manually every day, sometimes forgetting, it means it can't remove certain viruses that require a re-boot deletion.
So by "UPGRADING" to Vista, I have, in essence, thrown away hundreds of dollars in software and hardware, most of which, I assume, Microsoft intends to recoup when I buy something from them to do what the old stuff was doing perfectly well before the "UPGRADE."
If you google "downgrade to XP" you'll find almost a quarter of a million links.
There's a reason for that.
Ugh 2008-06-22
I hate it. It offers no real advantages over XP, is slower, works with less stuff, and keeps getting stuck. I'm downgrading to XP...
