There is a lot to like about Microsoft’s successor to Windows XP. The creators of this new operating system hope to awe you with improved security, a new Aero "glass" user interface, integrated desktop search and a plethora of other nice looking features. So if you are a techie that just has to have the latest and greatest technology or if you just like to try and figure out how to use new stuff, then get a copy of Vista and tinker to you heart’s content.
If however you are a small to medium size business owner, then there really is not a compelling reason to upgrade right away. One of the main reasons why businesses will not be scurrying to upgrade their systems is that there really is not anything that you can do with Vista that you can’t presently do with Windows XP Pro. But more importantly, much like all new software that is released, Vista will most likely be full of bugs and querks that will not be ironed out until the first service pack is released. And problems with your computers always translate into lost revenue for a business.
If however you are a tech savvy home user or video gamer that can live with a few bugs or functionality issues, you may be interested in Microsoft’s primary selling points for the new operating system. Some of the key points include upgrades such as improved security, ease of networking, integrated search options, the Windows Defender anti-spyware tool, Internet Explorer 7 and full disk encryption capabilities.
So what’s really new? You might have noticed that a lot of those enhancements are currently available today and will run with Windows XP. And you are right. Internet Explorer 7 has been available for XP for months, you probably already have Microsoft’s anti-spyware software, Google and Yahoo Desktop currently offer great desktop searching programs and there are already numerous disk encryption programs available for XP. And while security and wireless networking may not be all that easy to set-up and administer in Windows XP, once completed properly they are bullet proof.
Sure it is nice to have it all built directly into the operating system, but with a little help and some nurturing, XP can provide all those same features just as Vista can. Plus XP has been around since 2001 and has gone through two major service pack releases making XP very stable. Current users of XP also have the added benefit of knowing that their operating system will continue to be supported through the year 2011. As long as you don’t give access to your computer’s administrator logon or give other users administrator privileges, it will be very secure as well. And properly used XP is probably just as secure as Vista will ever be able to be.
So our suggestion to you is simple. If your existing XP system is stable and you and you can live without the pizzazz (Vista really does look great), the most prudent decision would be to just wait awhile. We say that because like its predecessors, Vista will most likely be a bit fluky early on just as XP was when it made its debut.
Any software, especially a full operating system upgrade, is going to contain bugs that might be better left for others to deal with as well as compatibility issues with existing software and hardware. Remember the early days of XP?
In retrospect, every previous version of Windows has had to go through a similar maturing process so that does not necessarily make that process a negative one. It is just the way things work in the software world. And then there are the minimum hardware requirements. While it is true that Vista will run on all but the most ancient machines, when it comes to showing its true colors, the typical office PC just isn’t going to cut it.
Without a full gigabyte of RAM (1GB), a video card with a minimum of128mb of VRAM and DirectX 9 graphics capability, the Aero user interface with its 3-D overlays, translucent “glass” effects, animations and all of the other “cool” eye candy won’t work. So if it is the new look that has you considering upgrading, you better hold off until you bring your hardware up to required specifications.
The Vista Capable PC Specification (the minimum) is 512 MB of RAM, an 800MHz processor, 20 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB of free space and a graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
The available versions of Vista and their respective features are as follows:
So when should you upgrade?
· When your computers have reached the end of their useful life (3-5 years for workstations / 3 years for laptops)
· When you have access to funding that will let you standardize on a new hardware and software platform
· When you have a demonstrated business need to upgrade such as new custom or office software that requires Vista
In the interim, if you need to purchase a new workstation or two, you still don't have to start using Vista immediately. Windows XP is going to be around for quite awhile and that is mainly due to the fact that it works just fine and there are millions of people that currently use it and do not want to change over yet. It is not as pretty, not as well integrated as Vista may be and it may not even be as secure, but it is good enough for most of us. Or at least until we have the time, budget and a real need to change.
With all that being said, you may still be sitting there thinking that you’re just the right person for this upgrade and you now want to know how should you move ahead as painlessly as possible. Your first step should be to review, or have your IT support people review, your existing equipment and see exactly where you are in terms of matching up with the recommended hardware requirements.
The easiest way to accomplish that would be a quick visit to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx which will provide you with the in-depth information and guidance on your upgrade options, clarification on the various available editions of Vista and about half way down on that page a link to Windows Vista Upgrade Adviser.
Running Windows Vista Upgrade Adviser will provide you with a quick analysis of how well your PC meets the requirements for the various Vista editions. It will also help you decide which edition is suitable to your situation and what, if any, upgrades are necessary to experience the full benefits of Vista. You will also receive information on what software applications, utilities and hardware that you presently use that may have compatibility issues.
In conclusion, if you have the proper hardware, a viable need, the budget, and the time and patience to learn or even teach your employees a new operating system then Vista should prove a worthwhile upgrade.
Inevitably there will be some initial issues but once you have verified that your mission-critical applications work properly and have solved any driver and software compatibility issues, Vista will have a lot to offer you and your business.
Jaydien Network Solution
Email Us: info@jaydien.com
Call Us: 877.561.6734
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Brick, NJ 08723
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