Entered CNET Catalog: 10/10/2006
SKU: CNETWINDOWSVISTARC2
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 10/11/2006
If our installation process is any indication, Windows Vista RC2 is not yet ready for prime time. Our initial installation--a clean install on a clean partition on an Acer TravelMate 8200 laptop using a disc provided by Microsoft--took much longer than installations of previous build releases on the same machine. Windows Vista RC2 build 5744 required slightly more than one hour, whereas previous installs have trended toward 40 minutes or less. A second install of build 5744 improved only slightly, taking 50 minutes. Although many will simply buy a new PC already preloaded with Windows Vista, the sluggish installation is a step backward for those planning to upgrade.
At this late date, there should be no new features within Windows Vista RC2; however, there are a few new "fit and finish" additions within this release. There's now a Windows Vista Demo package that includes basic videos on how to use e-mail, the Internet, and files and folders (which are handled differently within Windows Vista), as well as how to send items to the printers, secure your PC, and set up user accounts. The videos also come with a transcript if you'd prefer to read instead.
In previous builds, we've been able to load our familiar Windows XP applications on Windows Vista with little difficulty. Not true with Windows Vista RC2 build 5744. We use TechSmith Camtasia to create and edit CNET Reviews videos, but unlike previous builds, within Windows Vista RC2 we were unable to display the playback, making edits impossible. A compatibility dialog box advised us that we needed the flash.ocx file from Adobe Flash, which is not included within Windows Vista, but after installing that, we were still unable to use the video playback. While Microsoft is giving software developers 90 days (more or less) to ready developers' products for a mass release of Windows Vista, we were surprised to find that lack of compatibility was a major issue in this release candidate.
Missing within Windows Vista RC2 is the Program Compatibility Wizard from Windows Vista RC1. This wizard helped fool older applications into thinking they were running previous versions of Windows. With Windows Vista RC1, we were able to run a Windows 95 game demo with only 256-bit graphics within Windows Vista with no glitches. It seems odd, given that program compatibility is a major headache for users upgrading to a new OS, that Microsoft would suddenly drop this feature.
We were also surprised to find within Windows Vista RC2 some unresolved issues left over from the May 2006 Windows Vista beta 2 release. Under Windows XP, our Acer TravelMate 8200 enjoyed a comfortable 3 hours, 20 minutes of battery life--more than enough to watch a DVD of any major motion picture released these days. Under Windows Vista beta 2 build 5384.4 running Aero, the battery life dropped considerably, to a mere 2 hours. With Windows Vista RC2 build 4755 running Aero, battery life improved only slightly--to 2 hours, 15 minutes. For all the press about how Windows Vista will be good for laptops, we remain skeptical, given that battery life is an important feature. We also had problems with our Windows Vista laptop going to sleep and not waking up. Our experience in Windows Vista RC2 was much improved from that of Windows Vista beta 2; nonetheless, this issue should be fully resolved by now.
We also found that our Windows Vista RC2 Aero graphics system experienced occasional annoying glitches. For example, whenever the Windows Vista User Account Control feature kicked in, specifically when our desktop darkens in its Secure mode to ask us to obtain the system administrator's permission, we still see a jagged lightning bolt across the darkened screen. We reported this Windows Vista RC1-introduced anomaly last month, but we found that it hadn't been fixed in RC2. Also, we found other numerous minor graphical glitches introduced with this build when our screen graphic elements-- and even program icons--occasionally failed to display properly.
Windows Vista provides a vast landscape of features, some of which we haven't yet had a chance to test in this build, but by merely scratching the surface, we were considerably less impressed with this build than previous builds. Given that Windows Vista includes Internet updates as part of the installation process, Microsoft has said it might release the existing code to manufacturers and patch Windows Vista systems remotely upon installation and activation. Again, the flaws apparent in Windows Vista RC2 aren't dramatic, but they're annoying. If we bought a new Windows Vista computer today, we'd be disappointed; if we upgraded, we'd more than a little frustrated. The version we tested is expected to sell for $399, but we demand much higher quality from Microsoft than what we're seeing today.
User opinions
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User Rating: 
10/10
YOU ARE WRONG!
Pros: I ran SP2 Beta for three monthes and it was sweet as a nut. No problems whatsoever
Cons: Their is nothing wrong with it.
User Rating: 
2/10
Slooooooooooow
Pros: Well I havent had it long enough to find out
Cons: Sloooooooooooow
Right now, I'm FIFTEEN minutes into uninstalling Microsoft works. No uninstall should EVER take this long
User Rating: 
1/10
Vista: More Primitive than XP. Important, Pease Read
Pros: None that I've seen
Cons: Securities are excessive and Do not Work as promized
To laugh about, the new Virus protection is GARBAGE. Vista allowed two trojan viruses to install without trouble in my brand new PC, but trying to remove them is next to impossible because Vista restricts access to the folders, so no Antivirus software can do their Job properly. Gaining access to folders is next to impossible. If you are not "good with computers" you most likely won't figure out how to gain acces to your own PC. I have been succesfull in gaining some access, but I do not yet have complete access to my system. So those trojan viruses are still in my hard drive. The only thing preventing them from executing tight now is my Third Party antivirus. It can stop the file from executing, but cannot delete it apparently due to Vista access restrictions.
A big nuisance. When a program is fine working but taking some time, say like Outlook downloading the emails. Vista sees it as if the program stopped working. It pops up a window to tell you about it. In the process, it freezes the program, and will not release it until you press a button. Your choice is CLOSE THE PROGRAM. So what do you do? You can click on the little X at the top right to close the window. Then the program that windows wanted to close for you goes back to working normally. This feature serves no useful purpose. It asks me all the time to close my antivirus and firewall because it thinks they froze.
I'm not going to say anything for the "User Account Access" feature because I just turned it off because it was so absolutely annoying. It tells you that a program is about to be executed. It does this for all programs, so every time you click on anything, Vista pops up the window. So that it can be worse, Vista first pops up a window to tell you that a program is about to be executed. You say, ok, then that window closes. Then another window pops up to finally ask you for your permision. By then the program that was trying to load declares a timeout error and quits on you. So I turned the feature off. All the background programs load without asking for permission, so should a virus wanted to install itself into the computer, what are the chances this feature will catch it?
Many old windows features No longer exist. They are just no part of the new OS. Also a lot of the icons look like ancient windows 3.1, and the programs seem to behave like they did with windows 3.1. Moreover, a lot of the newer software versions (example NERO7.5, Norton Util., etc) will not work with Vista, including the newer programs labeled "Program Name"2007. So if you have any 2007 software Good luck.
As for the Hardware, I tried to install some accessories, but guess what, the hardware is not Vista compatible (this is new to me, but it is what the error message says). It is not a software problem, the drivers available anywhere are just not compatible, and no new drivers are expected to surface. For other hardware I did have to download drivers: for the Mouse, and Keyboard downloads were required even thought they are both Microsoft brand. Go figure.
Oh!, very important, if you want to try to backup movies, or music or original software CD's, Good Luck, Vista Will Block you, and its smart enough to not let you use third party software to do the job (Microsoft Monopoly). I had first heard of this. I tried a few things, and it seems to be true. Vista won't let you.
One last thing. Did anyone else observe this? I am not sure if this has anything to do with the OS, but to check before I speak, I checked double checked, and just tried it again, but many of the sites I tried to get to using the Internet Explorer to read "Windows Vista User Reviews," including this site, would just not load, with the word "User" being key. The only site that readily loaded was, Guess, the Microsoft site with all the wonderful things about their new OS. The only way I got to see any user reviews was to get the firefox browser, which I've been avoiding to do for the longest time because it looked like more junk. Everything loads ok in it. I really hope I'm wrong about microsoft controlling what you see with their browser, but as of now, the facts are not in microsoft's favor.
Overall the Vista appears more primitive than old XP. Many old features just no longer exist. The new features appear to be for the benefit of Microsoft ONLY. Nothing that is new makes your life easier. The new colors and shadows are nothing but a lure, just like those carnivorous flowers that attract insects with their pretty colors and then eat them. If you decide for Vista, You'll end up feeling much like an insect that just realized it got eaten.
User Rating: 1/10
Worst OS ever !!!
Pros: aero glass effect..
Cons: Everything else.
Looks like a good security attempt by microsoft but they over did it...!!! interface is given a higher priority over performance which makes things worse. I switched to Xp the day I first used Vista.
would not recommend Vista to anybody !!!
User Rating: 2/10
Extremely rough around the edges (and in the middle)
Pros: Smooth Aero interface and excellent gaming performance so far
Cons: Pretty much everything else.... That Microsoft would call this a release candidate is a joke.
After the first lengthly install of the 64-bit edition I was dismayed to find that NONE of my software (except games) would operate in the 64-bit environment, compatibility mode or otherwise. Security software I tried to install, such as Norton, said it required Windows XP w/Service Pack 2 installed. When run in said compatibility mode, it complained that it wouldn't run in a 64-bit Windows XP environment. Several other non-security applications I attempted to install gave me similar responses and would not function, so I did a new clean install of the 32-bit edition. None of my security software would install - due to different error messages this time - and some of my misc. applications installed a little better. Games still ran great, in part to my 7600GT nVidia graphics card, but Vista performed admirably and hasn't crashed in a single game for me yet.
Another huge con - and this may be because of something unique to my setup which I have yet to discover - is that I cannot play DVDs or MPEG videos for the life of me. Media center runs quickly and smoothly for photos and music, and my Hauppauge MCE TV tuner appears in the Device Manager to be installed and functioning correctly, but TV playback will not work. DVD playback will not work. In Windows Media Player I get an error message about not having enough memory, and in Media Center I get a "decoder error" message. I've reinstalled Vista three times. I've tried 8 different DVD player programs with their own decoders, including some that tout Vista compatibility, and I have yet to be able to play a DVD. I get no audio, no video. I've removed the tuner card, I've updated my nVidia drivers, and I still have had no success after working with this for days.
Another con: Every single time I open or install a new program I'm bombarded by a relentless assault of popups asking me for permission. When I am logged in as an ADMINISTRATOR and I click on an application it is because I WANT TO RUN IT. I might be stupid, but Vista treats me like I'm even more stupid by asking for verification every step of the way. As a system administrator of several small wireless networks in apartments and offices, I don't look forward to upgrading systems to Vista and having to go through hundreds of prompts just to install software on different computers on the network. The reason I double click on an app or exe file is because I want to run it. Please let me know if I'm the only person in the world that finds this ridiculous.
I also welcome any advice on the DVD/MPEG decoder problem I'm having. HELP!
User Rating: 2/10
Windows Vista is terrible
Pros: good interface
Cons: Way to slow, hogs up ram nothin left for anything else
User Rating: 1/10
good first impression then .....
Pros: Quick on its own programs maximizes pc
Cons: OH HELL NO THIS SUCKS!!!!
User Rating: 2/10
Microsoft should give it away free to all it customers who payed for XP
Pros: none if not given as update to XP
Cons: Cost is way out of line. Microsoft is and has been ripping people off.
User Rating: 1/10
Typical Microsoft... I'll wait
Pros: looks similar to OSX
Cons: buggy, incompatible, hog
User Rating: 
5/10
Not Ready.
Pros: Looks pretty
Cons: Many bugs and missing a lot of drivers.
User Rating: 10/10
CNET DONT KNOW HOW TO RATE THINGS
Pros: VISTA RC2 IS ALOT BETTER
Cons: NO CONS HERE ON MY PART
User Rating: 
6/10
not much better then xp pro
Pros: installs new programs very quickly
Cons: way too secure for the average user. Just try to disable one of three pop-up's when installing a new program
I don't like the machine deciding for me when it's going to do something, and Vista tries to do it all for you. Defrag? it's now a line that says, "...Defragmenting in progress, this could take minutes or hours.", and there is no window, or progress bar to show you what's happening.
I like the on board toys, areo and gadgets, but all in all, I think I'll stick to XP Pro.
User Rating: 2/10
It is a mistake
Pros: I can not say there are any
Cons: It blew away my windows XP system
Windows Vista RC2. Since it came from Microsoft. I did the dumb thing and assume it was safe to install. I read the directions and follow them. Worse mistake I have ever done on the computer. Unless your are an expert I would not advise anyone to down load the program. It took $306 dollars working with a Tech support group to get my computer back to almost completely the way it was before I installed the program.
User Rating: 5/10
Handsome, but still need improvement ...
Pros: Run smooth, animation is great, no pop-ups during installation.
Cons: No way to make partitions during installation, heavy firewall (too much questions of asking approval), most software cannot support it.
Do you remember the day you first laid your mouse pointer on WinXP in 2001? Switching from Win98 or ME to WnXP is complicated.
Today, Win Vista also gives you the same feeling but somehow it's similar to WinXP. Just that there's a lot of features hidden. You need to take a few steps to get to where you want. Explore it and you'll know what i mean.
This version is bootable. Just insert it into your DVD-ROM and left it there. There no such thing as making partitions and selecting secondary language (E.g. Chinese PRC), and nothing pop up during installation like setting workgroup for networking. Everything run smooth. How am I going to set partitions on my new HDD next time?
My system :
AMD Athlon XP 1500 (1.33Ghz)
768Mb DDR 400 RAM
ATI 9550 GT 128 Mb
Asus A7N8X-X board
Everything is running fine but it's a little bit heavier than WinXP. Like the difference between 98 and ME (fresh installation without additional software). But somehow it won't crash like ME. Installation takes 40 mins (clean installation on a 40 Gb Maxtor single partition HDD). Logging for the first time takes about 5-7 mins. I love this version of windows. it's modern and the the animation is great.
However, there's a lot of problems like no antivirus is compatible so far (AVG 7.1 & 7.5, Norton AV 2003 & 2005). None of them work. So, i switch back to XP. One more thing, microsoft must be kidding when there's some kind of pop-ups asking "mum, can i do this? Are you sure ... it not certified bla bla bla....". I hate this. Please change it...very ignoring. I've off the automatic updates and disable the firewall man!!! Still the same problems.
It¡¦s not ready for use. Maybe we can consider buying it at least 6 months after Microsoft release a complete version¡K
User Rating: 10/10
Windows Vista is already PERFECT!
Pros: Best ever.,believe me.
Cons: Bye XP! Forever.
I'm the one of the lucky people who got the full exemplar of Windows Vista Ultimate RC1 across a computer magazine, i've registered, and everything works perfectly in Vista, and we all know, Ultimate is actually the largest version of Vista. It is so much better than XP, if you try, you don't want anything else, fresh, easy interface, modern, friendly and STABLE. And really good protected. So, congratulation Microsoft!!!
User Rating: 2/10
Same impossibly complex UI in a new package
Pros: It's new..........
Cons: It's still Windows...
User Rating: 5/10
I agree with CNET!! Vista will have many bugs
Pros: it looks more reliable product and easier to use
Cons: will never be reliable by end of 2006
Tony
User Rating: 
8/10
Using it every day now
Pros: Faster, more secure, lots of new features
Cons: Needs more driver support (up to hardware vendors)
User Rating: 
4/10
Not quite ready yet
Pros: Completely 32 bit (no more DOS, only DOS Emulation)
Cons: User interface changed drastically with no way to revert back or customize. Steep learning curve
The new interface coloring is nice, in that you can customize the transparency of BG windows, and the exact shade/hue of it. The bad news is you can't realistically remove it. Turning it off for the "Classic" theme removes the bordered edges and some of the spacing of the window making the interface seem incomplete and like pieces are literally missing.
There are some improvements, such as the document type recognition (which with hidden file extensions make it look like a MacIntosh desktop a lot more) are much more reliable and actually work well. The "media center" is irritatingly simplistic and tends to want to take over everything you're doing when it's running, and even more irritating, only looks at pay sources for media input. It doesn't do a great job at allowing you to, for example, find images through it from a Yahoo or Google or even MSN search engine with free results like you can do in Internet Explorer or Firefox (or any other browser).
On that note, Internet Explorer is the same IE 7 Beta 2 release that is floating around online for free download (from M$), same errors, shortcomings and all. Most troublesome are the lack of updates and the lack of a true engine overhaul/upgrade to keep with the current W3C Standards.
Vista does show signs of promise. The UI while akward and somewhat difficult to learn shows signs of being relatively simple to master. And despite having to acknowledge a change to the desktop or start menu (any system level change) THREE TIMES (Are you sure? -> Yes... This is happening -> Do it. Are you sure you want to let this happen? ->YES!) before it will do it, which makes customizing the start menu a ROYAL PAIN having to wait about 5-8 seconds and basically say yes three times to delete or move EACH LINK in the menu. But some of the changes are nice. The OS has a Calender compliant with ICS (iCal) standards, a seperate Address Book from Outlook/Outlook Express that uses VCards and easily imports/exports them (and older WAB windows Address Book formats) and a set of spyware and antivirus type prevention tools (Windows "Defender" beta - not great, but useful and useable). With some work Vista CAN be a good OS and much better and more powerful than XP, but for now XP is the better option - with the right security added of course.
User Rating: 
7/10
What about the auto opening of drive tray?
Pros: No advantage regarding this issue.
Cons: Could cause damage to DVD tray mechanism.
User Rating: 2/10
Awesome Looks (Thats about it)
Pros: New Design Concept
Cons: System Requirements, Adaptability, Poor Compatibility
User Rating: 4/10
Security issues, no great difference and bugs
Pros: Keeps novices out of Administration group
Cons: Same old problem with shared DLL's
war between software makers driffting outside compatiblity in shared DLL's to customize them just a teeny little bit and therby screwing up the former software that originally installed or used the original shared DLL. Actually if each programs files were kept in their own Dir with a sub dir system dir for them, it would avoid the constant reloading power users do to keep up the speed of their PC.
WindowBlinds by Stardock can Imitate all of the fancy aeroglass transperency without the overhead or cost of a new video card and faster processor.
User Rating: 
9/10
Vista is rock solid at RC2 but bugs do remain
Pros: Solid OS. Runs all my apps, Fast and feels secure
Cons: Embedded WMV locks OS, blue screen, reboots
On the story, are you worried about your job to subtitle this bogus story not ready for prime time? You could have waited until it was released to talk about whatever it is you are talking about. It's pretty obvious it isn't ready for primetime since it's RC2. Nice try.
One thing for sure, those who saying stick with XP are those same voices that once said, "stick with 98". Now they are running XP and saying the same thing about Vista. Amazing.
User Rating: 7/10
Not Ready for Prime Time - Where's Scanner support
Pros: Beautiful interface...but to be expected after 5 years
Cons: Can't get scanner support for Multifunction printers
The 7400 works as a printer wireless and direct but the scanner support seems very weak.
The only Scanner available in Control panel is a Xerox driver?? I don't see many success stories of other people when I searched Google also.
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_beta2_04.asp
User Rating: 4/10
Slow & Obtuse
Pros: Pretty, I'll give you that
Cons: Made my 2.4 Ghz P4 run like a slug
The user interface changes were very frustrating. Constantly trying to figure out things I already knew how to do but now those features are hidden. Will Microsoft NEVER LEARN that untraining millions of people by re-arranging the user interface IS NOT a productivity booster? (Wait until you see my review of Office 2007)
My business (more than 1,000 desktops) will be running XP for years to come (my call, BTW).
Now if only we could get some ISVs to write for the MAC...
User Rating: 7/10
Don't Rush to Release
Pros: Microsoft:: Take your time, get it right
Cons: Third Parties (Hard-Software) will be the main screw-ups
In June I installed Vista Beta 2 on a space 5-year old Dell Dimension P-4 with 500 MB RAM that I purchased at a garage sale. It was a clean install taking about two hours.
I did not install any hardware because obviously there was no driver support from third parties. So that is a none-issue. I also installed Office 2007; there was no need to install AV software. The graphics card did not support Aero; no big deal.
In September, I installed Vista RC1; it took about 90 minutes. My impression is that there were many navigational improvements. It works as designed, although I am sure there is some behind-the-scenes work to be done. I want to see RC2.
My real hope is that Microsoft does not rush to release to appease the Christmas crowd. It would be strategic mistake to release early and then have a bug-correcting service pack by mid-year.
I also believe that most glitches will come from:
=== third party software developers who got lazy with their coding.
=== hardware developers who couldn?t get their drivers ready in time.
As a footnote, I would like to see cumulative Service Pack 3 CD for XP sometime next year.
User Rating: 10/10
Vista RC2 runs faster than Windows XP
Pros: Vista RC2 runs faster than Windows XP
Cons: The cost is high
I've installed Windows Vista RC2 in about 30 minutes, as a fresh installation in my 5 years old PC so the CNET.COM review is totally WRONG!!!
Flash Player 9 worked fine in Vista RC2 after web installation; after the installation the flash movies immediately play fine, so the CNET.COM reviews is totally WRONG!!!
User Rating: 7/10
There is still a Program Compatibility Wizard
Pros: Some bugs fixed
Cons: noticable bugs, UAC EXTREMELY ANNOYING
User Rating: 4/10
Vista consistantly offers help but fails to do so
Pros: Exciting new features includeding this OS
Cons: This OS is bogged down with endless links, downloads, and questioning popups.
User Rating: 2/10
It's worse than Beta 2!
Pros: Aero glass looks nice
Cons: graphics glitches, slow, too assuming of what you want or need to do
I realize this is in Beta still but being the monopoly on the OS market as Windows is, I expected much better, regular driver releases from the big players.
User Rating: 
3/10
it's not worth the price, stay with xp
Pros: runs, looks, installs good
Cons: feels like xp with facelift
User Rating: 8/10
Good OS, bad CNET review
Pros: better stability
Cons: Some applications still unstable
As for Windows Vista RC2, I have found the experience considerably more stable than with RC1. I am seeing far less crashes than with RC2, but I still feel that the UI is inconsistent. Old applications all feel like pre-Vista, whereas Vista applications have a different UI. This leaves a very inconsistent UI.
I like the visual look of Vista better than XP Luna, but I could do without the default of transparency. Transparency has been an option since Win2K, but I generally don't think it has a lot of purpose in most cases. Make it easy to use, but I think that it shouldn't be default even if your system supports Vista's Aero Glass.
I am still depressed by the exclusion of the old help viewer. Sure Microsoft wants to push their new help system, but this is going to cause a lot of complaints from people using older software.
Internet Explorer 7 copys a lot of ideas from Firefox, Opera, and even Safari. They have included Safari's option to delete the browsing history. They included tabs like Opera and Firefox. Heck, the tab loading even looks similar to Safari! The phishing filter is a good idea, although I don't think it is a good replacement for good user education. It may give users a false sense of security if the phishing filter doesn't catch the phish. Nevertheless it seems to catch everything I threw at it. I like that IE dropped the stupid Go button. It looked really lame. They also dropped the unpopular image toolbar. Neither users nor webmasters really liked the idea. I found the exclusion of Java understandable, but the exclusion of Flash rather odd. Is this Microsoft's attack against Flash? The search toolbar is there too a la Safari/Opera/Firefox, but it only by default includes Microsoft's Live. Pretty lame, although it is possible to add additional search engines with a few clicks of the mouse. Hopefully Microsoft will make it easier to use other search engines even if Live is the default.
I still managed to crash several of the included applications, which is surprising, but it is much better than it was with RC1.
All said, if you love Mac OSX you'll love Vista, if you hate OSX, you'll hate Vista. Some ideas like the start menu remain, albeit much better polished, but Vista borrows heavily from OSX's graphics and even UI concepts. For how many years Microsoft has developed Vista I am depressed, but it is pretty good so far. It is overall much better than XP, but not enough to justify the price for most customers.
User Rating: 9/10
The review is off!!
Pros: Everything in Vista Works!!!
Cons: User Account Control Pops up On Everything
Vista runs smooth and clean on my machine. All functions work nice. And not one function ever failed. This test version of vista is complete as far as I'm concerned, albeit, except drivers. Which I'm sure will all come out. I give Windows Vista 9 out of 10 for now. People are just not setting it up right on thier system. There are no missing icons or this and that.
User Rating: 10/10
Good upgrade from Windows XP
Pros: Security; UI
Cons: System requirements
User Rating: 6/10
Pretty good, but still an RC
Pros: Great new look, surprisingly quick, great feature set
Cons: incomplete heardware compatibility, easy but long install
User Rating: 1/10
WINDOW VISTA SUCKS!!!!
Pros: WINDOW VISTA SUCKS!!!!
Cons: WINDOW VISTA SUCKS!!!!
User Rating: 7/10
A very clean, modern looking facelift to xp.
Pros: Nice crisp graphics
Cons: A bit heavy on the system requirements.
User Rating: 5/10
I'm anxious for the final release.
Pros: The look is beautiful, the features are great.
Cons: It still has some bugs to it.
I've had a couple programs that had compatibility issues with it, but nothing of a real big deal. Nero 6 will install, it will not burn audio discs but will burn dvd discs for me. I had McAfee under MCE 2005, but it will not work with Vista, I also am having issues with PC Cillin getting it's updates. I'll probably try AVG.
I've not noticed a huge consumption of memory from this OS, I'm running 768 mb of RAM and haven't experienced too many problems of drag. My only hardware issue is my video card is too slow. Which isn't a big deal for me right now. I don't really use my computer for anything other then browsing, chatting, and listening to music anyway.
I really like the way Vista's MC looks with the X Box 360, very nice. There are a few bugs encountered with that, but I'm sure most of it will be worked out.
I like the OS, it has great potential to be better than XP with features and functions. Computers are much like humans, no 2 really act alike. Which is why they're doing these beta versions I hope, to try and make a solid OS.
User Rating: 6/10
Windows Vista RC2
Pros: more help for new users.
Cons: glitchy (buggy)
mostly over all feel comparied
to Windows Xp, well it is sad that
Microsoft is the one making this
more complicated and harder for ppl
to make there mind if they will ever upgrade.
User Rating: 8/10
its very good
Pros: good and lively interface
Cons: need a good system
User Rating: 7/10
Much better than the last beta
Pros: Very pretty, so far everything works, kinda
Cons: Windows media player real blocky choppy off color wma, mpg video playback
User Rating: 3/10
windows vista is way not ready !!
Pros: I like the look of it and all the new software it have
Cons: it still really buggy and lots of thing dont work right.. a few thing on my pc didnt work like sound and some of the graphics. and software like to freeze up..
User Rating: 5/10
What have Microsoft been doing for the last 5 years?
Pros: Search and more polish interface
Cons: Buggy, incompatible with many softwares
User Rating: 3/10
Stay with XP
Pros: Attractive, visually well designed interface
Cons: Lethargic,
Personally, I will be keeping XP for a long time.
User Rating: 9/10
One word...Awesome
Pros: Graphics, .NET 3.0, Security
Cons: Prepare to upgrade...
User Rating: 9/10
Windows Vista is Best OS to date.....
Pros: Stable OS so far. I like the Aero interface
Cons: Nero 7 dont work but Nero is releasing Test version soon ok.
User Rating: 2/10
Pure trash
Pros: Ok its cooler....and tats it...
Cons: Every thing.....reli......it doesnt include many things essentail
User Rating: 4/10
We were expecting greater from microsoft.
Pros: nothing about this
Cons: have no idea
We people are always expecting too much from you. But this is not a great thing to happen from such a great company. We demand something better , which is worth buying.
User Rating: 4/10
Microsoft should have had consumer test this product before release.
Pros: Microsoft is still on top of there selve and keeping up with with the styles of there younger custermers.
Cons: Microsoft should have given more time before the release or even anoucing there product.
User Rating: 1/10
There is not one driver that works with Vista RC2
Pros: Non What so ever (Nothing works at all)
Cons: There is not one driver that works with Vista RC2
It crashes so many times, i had to Format about 30-40 Times after getting the Blue Screen of Death, because of crashed drivers and bad updates that cause more crashes. I Do not recommend this for anyone.
User Rating: 7/10
Has more bugs than RC1, long install time
Pros: Good user interface, some bugs have been fixed.
Cons: Many bugs are still there, plus some new ones.
User Rating: 4/10
Wife hates it, it works for me
Pros: more stable, faster internet
Cons: Ugly and slow
User Rating: 7/10
Review is quite biased... Had no problemsinstalling..
Pros: Smooth interface. Functionsl robustly.
Cons: Unsure of the Laptop battery ?
Generally had no problem installing and functionally looks robust enough but occassionaly the system some time to respond. Perhaps the reviewer should notice that this Beta written all over it.. ! So mentioning of purchasing Vista has got no place...
Look forward for the production version...
User Rating: 1/10
Hackers Rejoice over Vista Release
Pros: Absolutely none
Cons: Everything you can think of
http://www.teckmagazine.com/content/view/690/43/
User Rating: 6/10
RC1 was a disaster!
Pros: GUI, Presentation, More Control Panel
Cons: Resource Hungry
User Rating: 8/10
Buggier than RC1, but review is flawed.
Pros: Gorgeous, even without Aero. More enjoyable computing experience.
Cons: High requirements, RC2 buggier than RC1 when it comes to software compatibility, steep learning curve for some.
User Rating: 9/10
I think it's excellent
Pros: Great graphics, easy install, runs fast w/ 64 bit cpu
Cons: takes some work to make older 32 bit apps to work
User Rating: 2/10
Too Heavy and slow
Pros: Really Beautiful
Cons: Memory Eater
I think Windows Vista = Windows Me , they both will not last for one year.
Sayonara Windows Vista, i'll better wait for your next generation.
