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Vista upgrade flowchart:
A2597
Fanboy
in Zocalo v2.0
[url]http://xs311.xs.to/xs311/07053/vista_big.jpg[/url]
Comments
I'm fearful of upgrading because I'm not sure what to expect. As we all know, Microsoft's track record has been less than stellar when it comes to new operating systems. Moreover, Windows XP has been fine for me since service pack 1. I just upgraded my video card (a discussion for another post) and added more RAM but I'm still afraid it won't be enough.
[url]http://techreport.com/etc/2007q1/vista-licensing/index.x?pg=1[/url]
that article is a darn good read.
This was a few year old P4 1.8ghz HP laptop with 1.5 gigs of ram, and vista actually ran very well on it. I was quite suprised.
im only getting vist because i get a free upgrade on my new laptop. if i dont like it then im going straight back to xp
[B]im only getting vist because i get a free upgrade on my new laptop. if i dont like it then im going straight back to xp [/B][/QUOTE]
Consider yourself lucky. My planned laptop upgrade is likely to have only Vista. :(
Why is it $400 for an OS?
I have dual monitor. Can't use Home.
I want support for video and games. Can't use Business.
I want support for business apps. Can't use Media.
Thus I have to use Ultimate - $400 includes 1 upgraded item (ram, video card, etc) before it disables itself.
I upgrade stuff at least every year.
Thus: $400 yearly for having ultimate. Nope, that's just not worth it.
[url]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2880891&sku=A64-FX60-BASIC[/url]
Then I read that some guy bought 2 Nvidia 8800gtx video cards for like 1400 dollars with Vista and he can't even use because of lack of drivers and no SLI support. What a waste of money for useless DX10 hardware. WHAT A HORROR!!!!
Vista is a big no for me. I especially want nothing to do with an OS that has anything like RDM in it...
My Machine is my business, I'm buying an OS, not somebody's opinion of what I can and can't run on it.
[B]I don't have money to burn so the chart tells me not to upgrade :P [/B][/QUOTE]
Who the hell actually pays for Windows?
[B]Yeah...for me upgrade (retail) runs $400 every year or so. Thus I will not be doing it. Instead I'm buying a Mac Pro.
Why is it $400 for an OS?
I have dual monitor. Can't use Home.
I want support for video and games. Can't use Business.
I want support for business apps. Can't use Media.
Thus I have to use Ultimate - $400 includes 1 upgraded item (ram, video card, etc) before it disables itself.
I upgrade stuff at least every year.
Thus: $400 yearly for having ultimate. Nope, that's just not worth it. [/B][/QUOTE]
I think you're confused about a few things. First, Vista is actually more relaxed on activation than XP when it comes to hardware upgrades. Second, if you upgrade something and it locks out you do realize that doesn't mean you need to buy another copy right? Just call up the activation hotline and they'll reset your key. I do it all the time with XP.
Finally there shouldn't be any reason why you can't run business apps or games on Media or Business. Actually I'm pretty sure the only difference between Ultimate and Business is the Media PC features. Business is basically exactly the same thing 2K and XP pro are. Ultimate merges the features that used to be Media Center Edition. In XP you had to choose bewteen having all the fancy MCE stuff but be stuck with the Home core or the choose the advanced features of Professional edition but forgo the Media features. Ultimate joined the two versions. Imagine it as the full installed version of windows.
I'm going to buy Vista because I wan't to support MS' global domination :P
[B]Who the hell actually pays for Windows? [/B][/QUOTE]
There are still ways around it but the bastards have made it harder to keep a fully functional version without a legit key. I personally have all perfectly legit XP copies... But I don't pay for them. I just copy the serial keys from the license sticker on the cases of the work PC's. They use volume corporate licenses so the actual individual keys are never used. OEM keys won't give a succesful activation but if you call MS up and say its your key and are reinstalling they'll activate it :D
[B]There are still ways around it but the bastards have made it harder to keep a fully functional version without a legit key. [/b][/quote]
Yes. Damn them for trying to stop people stealing their product.
[quote][b]I personally have all perfectly legit XP copies... But I don't pay for them. I just copy the serial keys from the license sticker on the cases of the work PC's. They use volume corporate licenses so the actual individual keys are never used. OEM keys won't give a succesful activation but if you call MS up and say its your key and are reinstalling they'll activate it :D [/B][/QUOTE]
Do you have permission from the entity that paid for those license keys to use them? :)
Really, I wonder at phrases like DRM. The concept of "rights management" in all its authoritarian glory is nothing short of horrific. I read an essay in high school that argued that DRM constituted a crime against humanity. I'm still not entirely convinced it was hyperbolic.
Also, if you don't game and don't need a lot of Windows compatibility (eg business and some crappier academic software, mainly), there's no real good reason not to run Linux.