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To Vista or Not To Vista? What is Vista by the way? Vista is Microsoft's new operating system (Layman's term - Windows, gets?). An operating system is a program that prepares your computer for use. It serves as a platform for your programs to run (like your Internet Explorer for example, it runs on Windows XP, an Operating System). Nowadays especially here in the Philippines, it has become a "computer specification", i.e., whenever someone is scouting for a computer, one of the common question is "naka XP na ba yan?" (Is it running on XP?). Well, on some point, it can be a good question, because in able for Windows XP to run smoothly, it should have a decent hardware (at least a Pentium III or 4, with 256MB of memory). But if you have read my previous post below on Purchasing your own computer there's more to just memory and processor. And it becomes more complicated when you plan on upgrading to the very appealing Windows Vista.
To Vista or Not To Vista? What is Vista by the way? Vista is Microsoft's new operating system (Layman's term - Windows, gets?). An operating system is a program that prepares your computer for use. It serves as a platform for your programs to run (like your Internet Explorer for example, it runs on Windows XP, an Operating System). Nowadays especially here in the Philippines, it has become a "computer specification", i.e., whenever someone is scouting for a computer, one of the common question is "naka XP na ba yan?" (Is it running on XP?). Well, on some point, it can be a good question, because in able for Windows XP to run smoothly, it should have a decent hardware (at least a Pentium III or 4, with 256MB of memory). But if you have read my previous post below on Purchasing your own computer there's more to just memory and processor. And it becomes more complicated when you plan on upgrading to the very appealing Windows Vista.
As you can see from the orb at the right, this is the new logo for the new operating system of Microsoft. Codenamed Longhorn, Vista offers a very beautiful (to the eyes specifically) operating system that will surely promise a more pleasurable computing experience. Enhanced 3D effects and stunning graphics will feast your eyes once you have it installed on your machine. But not all machines can handle Vista, no sir. Beautiful graphics means powerful graphic cards that can handle the demanding artistry that is Windows Vista. But Microsoft (being a "know-all" software company that she is) knows that majority of the computers in use all over the world are not high-end, so Microsoft came out with 6 versions of this new software to match your needs (hardware and "pocket-wear" speaking) classified in three categories, Basic, Premium and Ultimate.
Here you can see a typical Windows Vista desktop. Neat, huh? Notice any differences with your current operating system? Yeah, the Start menu and the control panel window are translucent. This improved 3D effect is what Microsoft calls Aero - Authentic, Reflective, Energetic and Open. Nice. But this feature will be disabled once your graphic card does not support DirectX 9 with Pixel Shader v2.0. As you can see on the right part of the wallpaper, there are Desktop Gadgets (or applets), the Windows Sidebar. Icons are also different and more...should I say cute? One will surely notice the change in 3D style.
There are so many new features beyond what the eye can see. Improved security features, an improved Internet Explorer (now on version 7) with tabbed browsing (similar to Firefox, but don't get me wrong, I love Firefox more), Windows Media Player in version 11, better and more functional Windows Movie Maker that can create DVD movies, a Games folder wherein all installed (whenever supported and identified) games will be installed in one folder, complete with game properties, for easy location. Vista also includes a partition manager, handy for creating and modifying partitions in your computer.So many new features and less space in my blog, but the thing is, do we need to install it? As for me, I will still stick to my trusty Windows XP. First and foremost my computer can't handle the computing need of Vista. Vista requires a minimum of 800MHz processor and 512MB of ram for its Basic versions, while for the Ultimate versions a Gigahertz processor preferably dual-cores with 1GB of memory and 128MB of videocard memory that can support DirectX 9 and Pixel Shader 2.0. Whew. Besides, there are still more security issues that will surface within this months as Vista is still very new (there is a Service Pack waiting for these Vista users, meaning there are known and serious vulnerabilities). Noteworthy also is that there are still few hardware drivers for this new operating system.
Bottomline, if your hardware can support it, and if you have the budget to spend, then you can go for Vista. But if not, well Windows XP still does the trick, especially if you just surf the Internet or use Word or Excel. You don't need Vista just to type documents or check your e-mail, and for the budget conscious, I'm sure you don't want to spend thousands of pesos just to make your PC Vista capable, do you? If you want to experience Vista, there are a lot of Windows themes to make it look like Vista. I have one, and look at my desktop. Pretty much like the same thing, don't you think?Vista images and some information taken from Wikipedia.
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