When is the "right" time to upgrade to Vista?
Vista is not going to be an OS for an ultimate gaming machine anytime soon. Upgrade when there is a definitive reason. Otherwise wait for better drivers, games to be written specifically for Vista, cheaper DX10 vid cards, and Vista SP1.
10 reasons you should upgrade to Vista (and 10 reasons you shouldn't)
Everyone else is upgrading to Vista now, shouldn't I?
No, that's just hype. The truth is that most of the world will still be using XP by the end of 2007. What this means is that the majority of software created this year will be built for XP. No software company can afford to eliminate 3/4 of their consumers.
Gartner projections for installed OS base (EOY '07 ):
XP: 77.1%
Vista: 12.3%
Mac: 9.3%
Linux: 1.3%
What Vista versions are available?
Vista Comparison Table
Windows Vista product editions revealed
Which Vista is right for me?
I prefer Ultimate, but Home Premium certainly has bang for the buck.
Ultimate v. Home Premium
What 'Extras' are available for Vista Ultimate?
Extras available as of 1/29/07
How does Vista licensing work?
Microsoft is returning the licensing terms to basically what they were in Windows XP--users can transfer their license to a new PC an unlimited number of times, provided they uninstall it on the prior machine (may not apply to OEM).
CNet
Get facts, not spin, about Vista’s new license
How much does a full version of retail Vista cost?
Windows Vista Home Basic: $199
Windows Vista Home Premium: $239
Windows Vista Business: $299
Windows Vista Ultimate: $399
How does the Upgrade version work?
Microsoft Support: You cannot use an upgrade key to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista
As in you must have XP with SP2 installed first...
<updated 2/2/07, see next post>
What if I want to stay with XP, how long will MS offer support?
MS extended support from originally ending in 2008 to continue through 2013, with XP SP3 available in the 2nd half of this year.
Micorsoft's XP SP3 Page
XP SP3 beta available now at Hotfix
How much will an Upgrade Vista version cost?
Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade: $99
Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade: $159
Windows Vista Business Upgrade: $199
Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade: $259
How does an OEM version install?
OEM installation from PC Perspective
What do I need to know about OEM licensing?
Word on the street: OEM versions of Vista will NOT ALL allow you to re-activate more than once. Seems it depends on the original OEM license and how much the OEM company spent on it. Not every OEM will be the same!
Official MS Response: OEM versions cannot be reassigned to another person whereas the fully packaged retail version permits the license to be reassigned once to another person. As far as the licensing terms go, either version will allow for as many transfers as needed. The only stipulation is that the user must uninstall the software on the old PC before installing on the new PC.
Direct from Microsoft
Update from PC Perspective 1/26/07: After some more comments in this thread I installed this same license of OEM Vista on three PC's using different hardware and was able to follow the same call in procedure to get all of them fully activated at the same time. The OEM route is looking more and more appealing!
Specifically how activation for multiple PC's (different hardware) works...
How much does an OEM version cost?
Source: NewEgg (as of 1/29/07)
MS Windows Vista Home Premium OEM - $119
MS Windows Vista Home Basic OEM - $99
MS Windows Vista Business OEM - $149
MS Windows Vista Ultimate OEM - $199
If I upgrade to Vista, I also want to go with Office 2007. What versions are available?
Office 2007 Comparison Table
When will Vista SP1 be available?
Word is sooner then later. Think August for back to school.
2nd Half of 2007
I'm a gamer, what's the best method for installing Vista?
Dual boot XP and Vista
How do I install a dual boot?
Lifehacker
Windows Talk
The Elder Geek
Where can I find some articles related to Vista and gaming performance?
Vista Gaming Performance Report: HL2 and COD2
Gameplay Stinks with RTM Vista and Current Drivers
What about Vista and security?
Vista vs. Viruses
Want more info? Ask Paul...
Sure he's a Microsoft schill, but he does have a lot of good info all in one place.
Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows Vista
Request to be locked and stickied
Vista is not going to be an OS for an ultimate gaming machine anytime soon. Upgrade when there is a definitive reason. Otherwise wait for better drivers, games to be written specifically for Vista, cheaper DX10 vid cards, and Vista SP1.
10 reasons you should upgrade to Vista (and 10 reasons you shouldn't)
Everyone else is upgrading to Vista now, shouldn't I?
No, that's just hype. The truth is that most of the world will still be using XP by the end of 2007. What this means is that the majority of software created this year will be built for XP. No software company can afford to eliminate 3/4 of their consumers.
Gartner projections for installed OS base (EOY '07 ):
XP: 77.1%
Vista: 12.3%
Mac: 9.3%
Linux: 1.3%
What Vista versions are available?
Vista Comparison Table
Windows Vista product editions revealed
Which Vista is right for me?
I prefer Ultimate, but Home Premium certainly has bang for the buck.
Ultimate v. Home Premium
What 'Extras' are available for Vista Ultimate?
Extras available as of 1/29/07
How does Vista licensing work?
Microsoft is returning the licensing terms to basically what they were in Windows XP--users can transfer their license to a new PC an unlimited number of times, provided they uninstall it on the prior machine (may not apply to OEM).
CNet
Get facts, not spin, about Vista’s new license
How much does a full version of retail Vista cost?
Windows Vista Home Basic: $199
Windows Vista Home Premium: $239
Windows Vista Business: $299
Windows Vista Ultimate: $399
How does the Upgrade version work?
Microsoft Support: You cannot use an upgrade key to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista
As in you must have XP with SP2 installed first...
<updated 2/2/07, see next post>
What if I want to stay with XP, how long will MS offer support?
MS extended support from originally ending in 2008 to continue through 2013, with XP SP3 available in the 2nd half of this year.
Micorsoft's XP SP3 Page
XP SP3 beta available now at Hotfix
How much will an Upgrade Vista version cost?
Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade: $99
Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade: $159
Windows Vista Business Upgrade: $199
Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade: $259
How does an OEM version install?
OEM installation from PC Perspective
What do I need to know about OEM licensing?
Word on the street: OEM versions of Vista will NOT ALL allow you to re-activate more than once. Seems it depends on the original OEM license and how much the OEM company spent on it. Not every OEM will be the same!
Official MS Response: OEM versions cannot be reassigned to another person whereas the fully packaged retail version permits the license to be reassigned once to another person. As far as the licensing terms go, either version will allow for as many transfers as needed. The only stipulation is that the user must uninstall the software on the old PC before installing on the new PC.
Direct from Microsoft
Update from PC Perspective 1/26/07: After some more comments in this thread I installed this same license of OEM Vista on three PC's using different hardware and was able to follow the same call in procedure to get all of them fully activated at the same time. The OEM route is looking more and more appealing!
Specifically how activation for multiple PC's (different hardware) works...
How much does an OEM version cost?
Source: NewEgg (as of 1/29/07)
MS Windows Vista Home Premium OEM - $119
MS Windows Vista Home Basic OEM - $99
MS Windows Vista Business OEM - $149
MS Windows Vista Ultimate OEM - $199
If I upgrade to Vista, I also want to go with Office 2007. What versions are available?
Office 2007 Comparison Table
When will Vista SP1 be available?
Word is sooner then later. Think August for back to school.
2nd Half of 2007
I'm a gamer, what's the best method for installing Vista?
Dual boot XP and Vista
How do I install a dual boot?
Lifehacker
Windows Talk
The Elder Geek
Where can I find some articles related to Vista and gaming performance?
Vista Gaming Performance Report: HL2 and COD2
Gameplay Stinks with RTM Vista and Current Drivers
What about Vista and security?
Vista vs. Viruses
Want more info? Ask Paul...
Sure he's a Microsoft schill, but he does have a lot of good info all in one place.
Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows Vista
Request to be locked and stickied
