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Installation |
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9.2 | |
| Ease of use |
 |
9.5 | ||
| Usefulness |
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9.5 | ||
| Value |
|
9.5 | ||
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Distributor: Microsoft Review Date: February 2007 Reviewer: Andrew Bistak & Tory Favro |
9.5 |
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Its finally arrived... Microsoft Windows Vista, the successor of Microsoft Windows XP that once again sets a new benchmark for PC-based computing. Best of all, this current incarnation of Windows now supports the latest dual-core CPU's and 64-bit computing for true performance gains. Although this review focuses on Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft have released a variety of different versions that include:
Each of these different incarnations of Vista (although similar) targets a specific PC-User and users should be aware of these differences before making their purchase. A list of all the different versions of Vista can be found below.
Windows Vista Ultimate The battle of Microsoft versus Apple has been raging for years and quite a few PC users have migrated to the MAC O/S because of its stability and performace. However, Microsoft have taken notes from their users and their latest incarnation is Microsoft Windows Vista that has a new look, more functionality and of course... more stability. Even though Microsoft Windows XP was definitely a winner, it's time for Vista to shine. Our test machine for Windows Vista Ultimate contained a Dual-Core Intel CPU, 120GB SATA Hard Drive, 1GB RAM and a Radeon Graphics card with 128MB.
Installation As our test machine was void of any operating system and all we needed to do was place the installation DVD into the drive and patiently wait. After a few minutes and a plethora of drivers being loaded by Vista, we were treated to an impressive installation screen and unlike previous versions of Microsoft Windows, all we needed to do was set the time/date, location and type of keyboard we were using with the system and off it went. This my friends is where Vista is light years ahead of Microsoft Windows XP because we only needed to add extra information on two occasions, unlike Windows XP that prompted the user several times. What seemed like an hour, the installation was finally complete and the Vista login screen had greeted us... it was that simple. No questions about drivers, no prompts, no nothing... the operating system had installed itself onto a barren system with minimal to almost no prompting. Once completed, Vista will even automatically download the latest drivers from the internet, provided you are connected to a router or broadband modem.
Vista Ultimate Upgrade Although if you do buy the upgrade version of Vista, the new Operating System will endeavour to keep your previous settings, however we would recommend a clean installation in order to keep the operating system at an optimal speed and to ensure that old files don't clutter your hard drive. That said, it does do an upgrade flawlessly but in a computing sense, a clean installation will definitely cause you less problems in the long run. The final task to do once the operating system is installed is to select your user-name, password and icon for the user. Interface After the first boot of Vista, the user is greeted to a Welcome Centre that contains a variety of FAQs regarding the operating system. The O/S also supports widgets or "gadgets" that are great for RSS feeds. The new interface of Vista is quite a smooth and flawless experience that although does take some time getting use to, features a variety of special effects that also adds to the "wow factor".
For those purists, there is an option to switch back to Microsoft XP, however once you have experienced the native look and feel of Vista, it is quite difficult to turn back. Probably the biggest difference with Vista is Windows Aero that basically floats your operating system and makes switching between windows and tasks a painless experience. Windows Aero also contains some interesting themes that include semi-translucent frames, animations and also high resolution icons. However, the price of Aero does come at a cost and your computer must have a DirectX 9 compatible video card but considering the specifications of the operating system, one would expect users interested in Vista to already have one of these cards installed. Don't fret though, even if you don't have a card compatible, the interface of Vista is still a smooth experience and nonetheless still impressive.
The Windows XP style start button has been replaced with the Windows logo which also allows you to access your entire hard drive with just one click. Accessing documents, music or even web pages has never been simpler. Another new feature is the search functionality that now lets users not only search their hard drive and network connections but also the internet. The Games Explorer and User Folder are two new additions to Vista with the Games Explorer displaying all your Windows and third party games that also offers ratings and links via the Windows Market Place. On the other hand, the User Folder allows the user to directly access their documents such as downloads, saved searches, videos and saved games. Even those old familiar Windows Games have been given an overhaul and include new games to the system such as Chess Titans, Purple Place, Mahjong Titans and Ink Ball. Needless to say all these games are top class, both graphically, musically and gameplay wise.
Connectivity and Compatibility The connectivity of Vista is also miles ahead of XP that now contains a truly easy to use network wizard that although has been simplified still provides the more experienced user with a plethora of options. Whether setting up a virtual private network or wireless network, it's extremely simple and our Vista machine even found our other XP machines on the network with no hassles at all. An interesting feature for those XBox 360 owners is that Vista Ultimate supports the console that allowed us to share content between the two machines.
With the improved connectivity of Vista, we wanted to test the ability of Vista itself and whether it could connect to our router without any prompting. Plugging a spare CAT5 cable into our network slot and then the other end into our router, Vista had automatically detected and setup our internet connection. This was bliss! Gone were the days of complicated installation for new hardware or network connections, Windows Vista Ultimate had successfully worked out what was needed. Although not new for Mac owners, this new functionality had the wow factor.
Another interesting feature was that Vista also automatically installs the correct driver for most hardware add-ons that included our HP Printer and Olympus Digital Camera with no necessity for driver discs. Vista also comes with Windows Mobile Device Centre to assist people with mobile devices to easily connect to the operating system which is great for synchronizing outlook.
Vista offers compatibility to most previous Windows applications and after testing a variety of applications such as Adobe Photoshop, mIRC, FireFox 2.0, Office 2000 and Microsoft Office 2003, there were no issues with compatibility as all the programs ran flawlessly. We even test a few non-Vista games such as Doom 3 and Europa III Universalis that worked from the word go.
Security Security is also a big part of Vista and with the newly implemented Windows Defender, users can now have a safer internet experience without malicious applets or spyware. When you first run Windows Defender, the user is greeted to the defender home page that lets you know how up to date your operating system and whether you need to download the latest signature file. It also allows you to schedule a scanning time or even use real-time protection. Unfortunately Windows Defender is only an anti-spyware utility and does not contain an antivirus program which is a shame. However it does give you great protection while surfing the web and prevents a variety of malicious applets being installed on your system. The new security protocols in Vista allows administrators to control their users through the User Account Control functionality and because of the new security access features, it also prevents any malicious programs from tampering with system files. As with Windows XP, users will still need to registered their copy of Vista in order for Microsoft to keep their intellectual security, however unlike XP, users have 30 days of grace to register their product. The system will prompt you to activate your system once it has detected an internet connection. However, by activating the product, you also get access to premium downloads and special updates so pirates beware! Internet Explorer 7.0 The latest version of Internet Explorer 7.0 is also present in Vista that has now incorporated tabs into the program which makes for more structured internet browsing. I must admit that the latest version of IE 7.0 on Vista is extremely stable, unlike the previous versions and loading up a plethora of tabs (40 to be exact), the program was still useable. Microsoft have also upped the ante of security with IE 7.0 that includes some advanced technologies such as the Protected Mode which allows users to have a safer browsing experience on the web.
Explorer As with IE 7.0, Explorer has received a much needed overhaul that now allows the user to stack certain files together, such as pictures from a similar date or files that contain certain similar themes. For those upgrading to Vista, you will unfortunately need to "meta tag" these files, however with a fresh install, this option is quite easy to implement from the onset.
Even though the revamped the file management system of the Vista still contains you classic views such as files, folders, details but with the addition of author, title and the above mentioned tags, it really helps organise files on your computer. Great for keeping your hard drive clutter free. Windows Mail & Windows Meeting Space Outlook Express has been changed to Windows Mail which could be considered a more streamlined and smaller version of Microsoft Outlook 2003. A nice feature in Windows Mail is the word wheel that makes filtering through messages (both email and news groups) a faster process. Windows Mail also contains anti-phising capabilities and gone are the days of .dbx files that have now been replaced by Mail Store which will limit or prevent any future problems with large mail files.
The new Windows Meeting Space allows people to meet (similar to online chat) , chat, view and share files between each other. This will definitely be a winner for businesses or for those work abroad. You can also invite users into your desktop for presentations.
Vista Multimedia Vista Ultimate is definitely for the digital experience and what really draws the attention of this operating system is Windows Media Player version 11 and Windows Photo Gallery. Gone are on the complicated menu systems of Media Player that although has been streamlined offers the user a variety of new features for that true digital experience.
Windows Photo Gallery allows user to view their photos with minimal fuss and heartache. You can even fix your photos from your basic auto adjust to exposure, brightness and contrast. Got a photo with red eye? One click and it's gone! Although it's not Photoshop, it has enough features to suit most people who use Vista. Windows Movie Maker has a variety of new features that really help with authoring DVDs. Whether its menus, chapters or the like, Windows Movie Maker is extremely easy to use and is great for those users wishing to create DVD's from their camcorders. Once done... simply burn to DVD. Systems Tools Vista also contains a variety of diagnostic and performance tools that include:
This review has only just touched the surface of Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, however Microsoft have once again improved upon the impossible and has created an even more stable O/S. In regards to MAC OS X? Windows XP unfortunately just lost that battle but this new incarnation of Windows, Vista is definitely a contender against the MAC and maybe a winner. With the new features and that cleaner look for Vista, it's time to upgrade those PC's that cannot support Vista for there is a new King in town and you really don't want to miss the boat. The only downside for those wishing to upgrade to Vista is that they better have a computer that can handle the grunt of this operating system. True 64-bit computing has finally arrived on the PC. |
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