Office is certainly used by home users (I'm a home user, and have *long* used Microsoft Office at home). Microsoft actually used to have a product geared *specifically* toward home users called Microsoft Works; however, the problem with Works was that compared to Office it came up far far short! Also, like Windows, you can purchase Office as OEM software (and, in fact, from most of the same resellers) but how many people dare to even *look* for Office OEM at their favorite e-tailer?

"I honestly don't see the problem with this. Don't most people want a better faster PC anyways? I mean if you seriously want a new OS why not have a better PC parts to use it? It makes no sense to have say Vista if your PC is not up to it. If you PC does what you need it to do with the parts you have currently and the windows it has does what you need I don't see why you would need to consider Vista at all. I don't know it just makes no sense to me. "

Guys. Even if it's just parts that's a ton of pollution.

Hmm. Who says Vista needs a really powerful computer? I'm running it on a PC which doesn't meet Vista Capable requirements in memory and graphics (it's from 2001), and it runs just fine. Sure, I've had to disable the search index, and no Aero or DVD/Movie Maker for me, but everything else works as advertised.

(The only thing which it isn't able to do as well as XP is play video on WMP. It ends up with an error if I try jumping around too much.)

Don't believe me? I'll post a screen shot if necessary. To me the whole "buy Vista, buy a new computer" thing is just plain misinformation and FUD.

Agreed. While my desktop system is über, I would not say so much about my laptop, which is actually running Vista also (albeit a test copy, whereas I've gone full conversion on the desktop). Doesn't sound like such a big deal unless you consider that my laptop is an 800mhz P3 (min spec for Vista) with ATI Rage Mobility M1 graphics (not even a driver available, I "tricked" a driver for the closest ATI card there is on), no driver for the sound (But I managed to get the XP driver from HP on), no driver for onboard ethernet (but I managed to use a generic 3com), no driver for the PCMCIA Wireless card (but I managed to use a generic Atheros)... windows update actually provided a modem driver. AND - once I got everything working - the only place slowness really shows up is in bootup speed - it is a bit off on that part. But once booted, it runs very well - almost as well as XP.

The laptop is an Omnibook 6000, Pentium-III 800mhz, 512mb ram and an upgraded 80gb hard drive. I've put money into upgrades in it over the years I admit, but it is *still* an ancient beast at heart with a 1.0 "Experience Index" score - and it actually runs Vista better than many computers used to run Win95! So I don't know what all the bitchin' is about.

ERM.... has anybody noticed that this thread has been necromanced?

I am really wondering why anyone would run a half-disabled OS on an old Machine instead of running XP (which has been stable as anything). You could even play your videos on WMP with it!

As long as XP is still supported by Microsoft and still receives security-updates, I don't see the need to jump on the bandwagon. In fact, if Win95, and 98 were a bit (ok, lots) more stable, and still would receive security update, they would be perfectly sufficient for the computing needs of most of the people.

Somtimes this year I will most likely have to purchase a new computer as my laptop starts to fall appart at its seams. Vista will most likely come preinstalled with this computer and I will accept it the same way I accepted Win98 after Win95. But I will certainly not go out now, spend 400.- on an OS and force it on my old machine.

Yes, this thread has been resurrected, but it is probably more relevant now than it was last year.

meh, I run four operating systems (NT4, 2000, XP, Vista) and soon to be five (Ubuntu...doing the setup as we speak), and, frankly, can see the pros and cons of each. I don't like all of the nanny features of XP and Vista, but I enjoy the overall Windows environment (and don't get me started on Office 2007...I put together my first ever powerpoint in about 5 minutes with absolutely no trouble at all...I LOVE it!). Judging from the calls I'm getting asking Vista questions, it hasn't slowed down consumer interest at all

(for the record...OEM versions of Vista home can be had for about $105....just 20 bucks more than the XP counterparts, so even expense for the EU who doesn't plan on massive hardware upgrades is not a legitimate concern).

Thanks, aufisch and G.M. for the comments on Vista. Although XP PRO SP2 works just fine for me, yes, at some point I'll of course upgrade. Just not soon, I hope.

blame the big media companies for DRM, microsoft was forced to have it in order for licensing..however licenses are granted to windvd and powerdvd creators, therefore you can watch blue ray in full definition if you use those video players. as far as anything else i had no trouble recording content and watching it elsewhere, i even anydvd'd a movie and burned it so i can watch it on the go without worry of scratches, so i see little to complain about drm. users should start getting used to the obvious fact that all content creators, wether its games or ebooks are protecting their investments and rightfully so...how would some of you feel to risk say a years salary on software and see it pirated by the millions?..you'd start thinking, hey i couldve retired off that. wouldnt ya..be honest you know you would

whats the big deal with activation? during install i hit auto activate and update...activated instantly without me having to see or do anything, its transparent, if you care about that then either you have some mental issues that should be dealt with somehow or you have "pirating" on your mind. use linux if you want to complain.

Price? dont buy it then, plenty of windows options, even basic oem is very cheap. or theres linux.

uses more power does it? ever since i can remember back in the tandy 5000 days all software upgrades gradually used more and more power.
whats the point in having such powerful hardware just to have it sit idle 51%+ of the time, upgrade the hardware to balance out more power to those apps and games then, if you cant stick with xp or something but they have to make it future proof and dont complain about bloat when theres basic edition...then fill it with all those 3rd party apps so its just as bloated but in your mind it wont be.
on top of that people complain when a game requires more hardware....why not just have technology stop completely and go back to commadore 64 hardware forever n ever?

these complaints are not fully justified, no one is seeing the real world perspectives, only selfish ones. nothing can be done so just go out and make your own linux distro and be happy.

But then again, you don't really get people pirating automobiles, do you?


I bought my computer in 2003. It has a Vista Performance rating of 4.2. I get all the flash and bangs possible. You don't need the very latest überPC to run vista.


The thing is, if you computer works fine as it is now, then good for you. IT it's not broken, don't fix it. Windows is mostly sold with new computers anyway and you'd have to look hard to find a new computer sold now which isn't up to handle Vista.

people complain as if ms should never made vista and just keep xp forever...the one that the majority keep default settings and complain about malware, the one with the quite outdated kernal.

I don't want Vista anymore, either....got it (Ultimate) and have absolutely no regrets as I find it to be as stable, reliable and functional as XP ever was. Yeah, I had a couple of inconsequential proggies that didn't install properly, but that's minor and I'm still able to do all I ever did on XP and more.

I installed Home Premium a couple of weeks ago, after runing XP Media Center Edition for a year, and have to say after a couple of hiccups, it works better than XP. now if only Creative would hurry up and update the drivers for my external soundcard...I'll be away laughing  ...I've been able to run 99% of the progs I used on XP with no probs whatsoever.....at this stage, it's highly unlikely I'll go back to using XP

On the Office front - have a look at Home and STudent Edition - about £90-£100 in the UK. This version can be installed on 3 PCs in the one home, so ideal and when worked out per PC - great value.


Works is still there too and the suite includes AutoRoute, Word (older version), Picture Editing and other tools.


ttfn


David