[Jase123]

Correct.

But I would expect to see a rise in sales from this price reduction, it's a good move from Microsoft in my opinion.

Regards Jason

[evilfantasy]

An interesting read. Microsoft's Vista price cuts: less than meets the eye

[philthomas]

Sounds like desperate measures to me and M$ trying to attract the uninformed, with lower prices.

I am still puzzled by M$ claims and I quote :
"price changes to meet the demand we see among first-time Windows customers who want more functionality"
errrr. - what functionality are they talking about ? ....... whenever I ask the question to any experienced user : "what does Vista provide over XP ?", nobody can give me an answer, other than DX10 or how pretty it is. I think some folks will be fooled by it's appearance, but the great majority of users just want an OS that works, especially business users.
SP1 from what I have read, isn't going to appease the critics and why would any XP user,, with common sense, consider changing from an OS that works, has available drivers for existing hardware, is stable and is compatible with all their existing software, in favour of an expensive (pretty) OS, with all the inherant headaches ...... beats me !!

I have been swindled with Vista Ultimate and I wonder how many folks feel the same (we will never be told).
M$ have faith in Vista, even though the big OEMs have insisted on XP being made available again, due to loss of sales. Most of the cheap Laptop deals have resulted because they are preinstalled with Vista and they are not selling, now M$ are being forced to do the same with the OS and however much they try to dress it up, the fact is that 80% of Vista sales are to the PC manufacturers, by way of OEM licences .... only 20% come in the other categories, which include Retail sales.

<another rant over>

[Jase123]

Vista also works with most current hardware. The bad thing is when you have to wait for the hardware.

I built my system over a year ago, and get 5.7 in the base score and no problems whatsoever. So where is the hardware compatibility in that? Or problems for that matter?

MS were due to end free support to XP in Jan 2009, but due to users complaints, they are extending it to 2011 and beyond! So, if you don't like Vista -- stick with XP! Well, that brings me too it, MS have an habit of extending their products support, they did the same with Windows 98 and ME when it was meant to end in 2004, instead they stopped support in 2006.

People will be using Vista sooner or later -- it's just the way it works!

I've been using it for a while, and I love it. The only gripe I have is file copying speeds, in which SP1 takes care of that.

Sounds like desperate measures to me and M$ trying to attract the uninformed, with lower prices.

You maybe right there, but isn't it a step in the right direction? MS will do everything to raise sales for their new OS, they've got to make money somehow.

Regards Jason.

[philthomas]

You have been licky Jason ...... I also built my system about a year ago (Asus AM2 mobo, Athlon Dual Core 5200+, 2gb Corsair RAM fast SATA Drives etc.).
Initially Vista would not retain drivers at power down .... after hours of frustration a chance bios upgrade proved to be the solution.
Then Vista was picky/choosy about what USB Flash drives, it would read.

Then Wireless Network intermittant issues .... Network with 2 x Laptops and 2 x PCs, nothiing complex .... works one day, but not the next, then after lengthy spell of nothing, suddenly starts working again.
Windows Mail loses usernames & passwords, if it fails to connect to the mail server more than a few times.
New M$ Wireless Keyboard & Mouse purchased .... quotes "Certified for Windows Vista" on the box. At installation refuses to install stating drivers incompatible.
Partition Magic no longer works in Vista .... forces new purchase of Acronis Disk Directot.
Family Tree Maker does not work with PDF modules, so new Vista version required, which has been rushed out and lacks features of previous versions .... other companies have rushed out half-baked updates too.

Most of my hardware was ok, as it is all fairly recent, but the OS has a LONG way to go before it earns the respect of users IMO.

A step in the "right" direction would be for M$ to be honest, acknowledge that Vista has problems, then address the problems and issue a decent Service Pack, rather than the poor version just issued.
Reducing the price is just another con, to attract the moths to the flame, which will only make for more disgruntled users, it in no way addresses the reasons why Vista is so unpopular.

The real temp guage here is Business users .... how many IT managers are happy to commit to Vista and subject their employees to the "Vista extra (dont laugh) functionality" ? ..... not may it seems !!

[evilfantasy]

The real temp guage here is Business users .... how many IT managers are happy to commit to Vista and subject their employees to the "Vista extra (dont laugh) functionality" ? ..... not may it seems !!

Good point. If MS can win over more home users, said users will be more likely to want it at work.

Better point in that even a small bug within a work environment can equal millions in lost productivity.

I love bells and whistles, but in the end functionality outweighs the flashyness. < Is that even a word

[evilfantasy]

This may be a Parody, but it is also true on many points. Especially DCS.

http://blimptv.blogspot.com/2007/11/vista-sucks.html

[Jase123]

I don't really think I have been lucky. I have more than one OS, which most run Vista, especially my test machines.

If you don't like Vista, then by all means stick with XP. But basing it on mine, and others experience, I am happy overall.

Now, I am not saying Vista doesn't have it's faults, because it definitely does. I just believe it is a good OS, and suits my needs perfect.

Now, we can argue all day about Vista, which is something I wouldn't like to do Phil, because you seem a very nice guy, with a great knowledge. I agree with you on many areas, I just believe Vista has it's good points about it.

It has been a very nice discussion about Vista, one I have thoroughly enjoyed!

I hope you all have a good day.

Regards Jason.

[philthomas]

No problems Jason .... I just feel duty bound to put the other side of the story , for readers to see, I hope I didn't come across as arguing.
I just wouldn't want anyone to think that Vista is all rosey and everything that the M$ hype would have them believe. Vista as we all know has many problems, as mentioned in previous posts.

As to how many of those problems come to light, will depend largely on how the system is used and who is using it ..... i.e. a newbie surfing the Net and writing emails, but never using the machine for any serious/demanding work, will probably be happy with Vista, I'm sure.
But if a user is used to "tweaking under the bonnet" and expects performance, reliability, compatibility and consistency, things can be very different.

Anyway m8y, I shall continue with Vista Ultimate and dual boot with XP for the tasks which Vista currently cannot handle, in the hopes that SP2 , whenever released, is worth the wait.

[philthomas]

Originally Posted by evilfantasy

This may be a Parody, but it is also true on many points. Especially DCS.

http://blimptv.blogspot.com/2007/11/vista-sucks.html

.... I needed a laugh today .... as you say a bit OTT but with veins of truth