by Caroline Atkins

Created on: December 14, 2007

For those of you excited about Windows Vista, think again. I purchased a Hewlett Packard laptop earlier this year, and I was introduced to the world of Windows Vista. Whatever was wrong with Windows XP, I am not entirely sure. I guess it was five years old, and time to introduce a new operating system (OS). However, I don't really think the people over at Windows fixed anything with Vista. I was extremely disappointed.

You can buy six different versions of Vista: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate. They vary in price and features, and come in two types, full and upgrade. The upgrade version is less expensive, but it requires you to have the Windows XP operating system already installed in your computer. I got the Windows Vista Home Basic on my laptop, since I primarily like to use my laptop mostly for basic internet browsing. I installed Microsoft Office on my computer, but I don't save a lot of documents or files on the laptop. I have an Apple G5 computer that I use for all my photos, movies, and music.

The biggest initial disappointment was the general slowness of the thing. I have a brand new computer that is not loaded down with memory and it still takes more than five minutes to start up. The change is significant. If you upgrade your operating system to Windows Vista, brace yourself for initial confusion.

Windows Vista comes with Digital Rights Management (DRM) that effect system. The DRM can force you to install new programs you don't want, and restrict access to programs and your own data files. Basically, Windows Vista puts Microsoft in more control than ever.

I found that certain internet programs didn't work with Windows Vista. It took awhile before I was able to work with Winforms, a real estate form program. It was frustrating not being able to use my computer to do everyday functions.

Finally, a reminder from Windows. You don't own the software, you lease the license. Microsoft reserves all rights and can delete programs from your computer that the Windows Defender program determines to be spyware. If you buy Windows Vista in a retail store and install it on your computer, before you can install it on another computer, you must first completely delete it on the first machine.

I bought my first Apple computer last year and was blown away by how easy it is to use. It took a long time and a lot of people telling me that I would love the Apple for me to go out and buy one. I was afraid I would never get past not being able to right-click the mouse. My advice to those considering the Windows Vista OS: Buy an Apple, or stick with the XP. Windows Vista is really not worth the upgrade.

Learn more about this author, Caroline Atkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.