Microsoft wants your money. It's amazing how they have managed to turn a failure into potential profit. The guys in Redmond know their stuff.
They have been working on an upgrade to Windows XP for years now. It is interesting that they have devoted huge resources to this new system rather than fixing the glaring holes in Windows XP. I assume their strategy is to forge on, and it's better to start (relatively) clean rather than try to fix up the old mess. And, I actually believe, this strategy may be effective if in fact Vista is as resistant to the bad guys as they say.
But their grand plans as usual got them into trouble, and over the past year a lot of anticipated new function in Vista was thrown out to keep to the schedule. Even so, MS failed to meet their projected ship date this year. The problem for the industry is that people are loath to buy new PCs this year with Vista pending early next year. Well, MS has the answer!
MS recently announced a tool on their website which determines if your PC is capable of running Vista. This can be used to test current PCs, and can be used by manufacturers to "certify" that the PCs they sell this year will be upgradeable next year. You can get the tool at http://www.microsoft.com/vista, click on "Get Ready" and then "Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor". The webpage has a lovely picture of a "vista" and the girl ain't bad either!
But the certification rapidly ran into trouble. There are two levels of positive response from the program - one if your PC is "Capable" versus "Vista Premium Ready". "Capable" means that it will run Vista, but you only get Vista's advanced features if you are "Vista Premium Ready". The problem is that in order to be fully "ready" your PC would need a new display adapter card AND a new display. This hardware certainly isn't available today, and is just starting to become available. So, most PCs flunked! MS is scurrying to wordsmith that problem somehow.
But the smart move by MS comes into play when you realize that they are double dipping here. If you buy a PC this year, you will pay for a Windows XP license, and they you get to pay again when you buy the upgrade to Vista next year! Wow - what a winner for MS! It is possible but not probable that PC manufacturers may offer a free upgrade if you buy now.
So, what should you do now? Well, nothing! Don't believe the hype and hoopla that MS is serving up. Vista will not be a significant player for a year or so. My advice is that if you need a PC now, buy one. If you can defer your purchase (and want to do so), then wait. But I am definitely against upgrading from XP to Vista. I will do upgrades only if my clients twist my arm, and they have to twist very hard at that. The upgrade is expensive - the software itself might be $100 and the labor bill can run up quickly if drivers are not available for your existing hardware.
I see little in Vista that you can't get on XP today. If you want to play HD DVDs, they aren't available yet anyhow. If you want Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Media Player 11, you can get beta releases for them right now. If you want enhanced security and protection, there are lots of companies willing to help you. And interestingly on that note, Symantec (makers of the Norton product line) has sued MS and is attempting to hold up the release of Vista because of patent infringement issues. So stay tuned on that score - Vista may be delayed even further if Symantec has its way.
(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport - Oak Island area. You can visit his Website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail questions or column ideas to him at bsc@bobseidel.com. For specific inquiries, please call Bob Seidel Consulting, LLC at 278-1007.)