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Microsoft did something different with Windows Vista; they tried to ensure that users would get the ‘Wow’ experience from the operating system. They pretty much did what was necessary to guarantee that experience but users are upset. The criticisms that I have heard re the problems with drivers, software etc. results from the fact that users are not following the instructions given on the Microsoft Website. Unlike previous operating systems (XP) included, users will not experience the Wow factor if users load Vista unto ‘any ole PC’. Microsoft had began preparing users for this by making available an evaluation tool (The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor) so that users can test their PC’s compatibility before investing in Windows Vista. I suspect that anyone who purchased a PC prior to the launch of Vista will be faced with the possibility of investing in additional hardware unless like I did, you bought a PC that was pre-configured to run Vista.

If you went ahead and purchased Vista without ensuring that the PC is compatible, then you should get the computer ‘rated’ by running the ‘Windows Experience Index’ in the Control Panel. A rating of 3 and above should guarantee you the ‘Wow’ experience.

What am I saying? A Windows Vista computer is not a ‘cheap’ computer and this is where the problem lies. Buy a new box or be prepared to spend some money on additional hardware if you plan to upgrade to Vista.

What about compatible software and drivers for Vista? First of all you cannot blame Microsoft for that. They gave software and hardware manufacturers ample time to prepare for Vista. For example, I bought a new HP printer and had to wait over a month before the Vista drivers were published.

I purchased Vista early and I have no regrets. I am running a 2006 Dell Dimension 5150 with dual Core 2.8 GHz Processors, 80 GB Hard Drive and 4 GB of RAM. I actually upgraded the Graphics Card and the RAM and my current Windows Experience Index base score is 4.4 out of 5.9. This means that out of the five (5) components that contributes to the base score i.e. processor, memory (RAM), Graphics, Gaming Graphics and Primary Hard Disk my lowest score is 4.4 and the base score is determined by the lowest score. The original Dell configuration gave me a base score of 2.9 with 1GB of memory and this was sufficient to give the ‘Wow’ experience but I wanted more. The Windows Experience Index showed that my lowest scores had to do with the Graphics and RAM and so I upgraded them. Now the sky is the limit. Vista is great and no way will I go back to XP.

I should point out that my experience with Windows Vista Basic (the scaled down version of Vista) was not good so bypass it and use either Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate and you will find out that there is no reason to cry about Windows XP. I think Microsoft should keep Windows XP going as long as possible however, as subject to the configuration, this will allow them to have a low cost alternative to Vista. Loyal Microsoft’s customers should not be forced to upgrade to the more expensive Vista. We know that a Windows PC can be an expensive PC but for most people they were able to use a configuration that made it an affordable PC.

The reason why the Vista party crashed is that people love choices, take that away and they will rebel. XP will have to go someday, but this is not the right time.