To counter the flagging expectations around Windows Vista, Microsoft added a last-minute keynote this morning from Mike Nash, Corporate Vice President Windows Product Development, at this year’s WinHEC, the Microsoft Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Los Angeles. Nash used his 30 minutes to talk about the number of device drivers included in the Windows Vista box and available online, and also about the number of compatible or certified for Vista hardware products on the market 100 days after release. While the numbers are high–certainly higher than 100 days after the release of Windows XP–many feel they should be higher. Nash said that vendors are continuing to work with Microsoft on this. “Windows Vista gets better over time,” Nash concluded.
On Monday, Microsoft employees bristled at comments from the press that users were unhappy with Windows Vista. With regard to User Account Control (UAC), Nash told reporters that “the process is the same in (Mac) OS X.” He recounted how his wife recently bought a HP printer, and UAC had asked permission to install the driver. Being a second user on the system, she needed Nash’s password to proceed. Nash said that he later installed the same printer driver on a Mac. “It asked the same question,” he said. However, the Mac elevated the user’s privileges across the board, while Windows only elevated the user’s installation privileges.
On Tuesday, Microsoft provided figures from IDC predicting a strong adoption rate in 2007 for Windows Vista and the new Windows Server 2008 . IDC predicts that by the end of the year, 90 million copies of Windows Vista should be installed, and 35 million within the United States. By the end of 2008, that number is predicted to be 150 million worldwide, and 68 million within the U.S. That may be true, but an informal “over-the-survey” of WinHEC 2007 attendees showed most were still using Windows XP.
Most were still using Windows XP? Hmmmmm…
From CNET.
30,
The point is that these problems exist, and need to be disclosed. That’s why journalists evaluate things. If I wanted to go the easy way I’d have bought a Mac. The bottom line is that I was handed a copy of Vista Ultimate at the launch party in NYC, and I’m checking it out so I can tell you guys what happened. Of course I’m going to have problems, but that’s why I’m doing it. I’m using a completely different computer right now, BTW. That machine is for eval purposes only.
My copy is not a Beta, BTW. It is the retail boxed version that anyone buying the first release would have received.
MS Vista inspired me to purchase an iMac. I haven’t regretted that decision in the least.
#32,
You would be wise as a technical journalist to do basic fact checking. As of today with Vista being a run away success for Microsoft, the entire online technical journalist profession is irrelevant. They got virtually everything about Vista wrong.
I suggest, rather than ignorantly trying to install software that you know nothing about, on a computer it isn’t even designed for (you are having driver problems remember? because you are using hardware not on the HCL) you do very elementary basic research, like read the documentation (at least glance over it???) for the operating system you are (IMO) dishonestly trying to review.
You seem to be heavily subject to the bloggosphere hivemind, and it has influenced, nay undermined, your objectivity.
I have offered you basic research (that you should have done yourself) and all you do is complain. Well here is a hint, 64bit Vista was not designed for YOU. It was designed for computer professionals who know what they are doing. Perhaps you should go back to doing video game reviews?
#34
Well if you ever want to upgrade anything other than the whole machine you will. You’ll end up with a very nice monitor and no way to improve it.
My 20″ was very nice but after 2 years I sincerely regretted buying it as the cost was not worth the life span.
35,
It’s interesting that you attack me personally while this discussion requires nothing of the sort. You have made some very valid points, and I haven’t disagreed with any of them. In fact, I am performing the very research you suggested.
However, the issue is in the why, not the what. Your position is that I am playing with things I shouldn’t be, while my position is that I started from the position of a user buying products that should work together but don’t, and the experience exposes flaws in Vista.
As for video game reviews, they have their place too. You should play some, your attitude towards others may improve.
ADDED – It’s booting again, but still having driver conflicts. BTW, the “experience index” of my system according to Microsoft’s own scan is 4.8. According to the Vista Website, “A computer with a base score of 4.0 or 5.0 is able to run all new features of Windows Vista with full functionality, and it is able to support high-end, graphics-intensive experiences, such as multiplayer and 3 D gaming and recording and playback of HDTV content.”
When that finally happens I’ll let you know.
32. I get it. Sorry for the mixup, my beta copy of Vista Ultimate clearly said evaluation copy on the desktop, thus the confusion. I’m not really a fan of building your own computer these days only because I dont see it as being cost effective. Plus it introduces too many variables to the mix. I also stress my computers to the limits and buy pre configured workstations for the task (using Dell so I can pick and choose components). Vista has run flawlessly on the three that I have tested. But I understand your need to test.
#27 – you might need a high end workstation and not just some home built box with generic hardware.
Huh? I only run machines that I have built and they have quality parts from named high end makers… HPs and Dells have parts made by Foxconn, a generic part that you need when only the lowest bidder will do.
There is nothing you can buy with a name plate that can rival a custom build.
39. As long as you know what you are doing, OK, I guess you missed the point of the whole discussion.
One additional issue with the whole XP/Vista thing. It looks like all future Microsoft-produced games will REQUIRE vista. Halo 2 and Shadowrun are both due out this month. Vista is required. Yes, I know…Direct X 10. But it was a deliberate choice I’d wager to make it JUST for Vista. Same with “windows live”.