Quote: "The version that is breaking machines is RC1, which is the same version that was released to manufacture - i.e. it is the finished SP1"
RC stands for Release Candidate, it doesn't guarentee it'll be the one that is finally shipped.
In-fact Vista itself had 3 Release Candidates, pushing back release itself until Microsoft felt it was ready for the public. Despite the reception it recieved, I've had it since release and don't have anything particularly bad to say about it.
The new releases of DirectX9/10 for Windows Vista as well as the current graphics drivers make the old issue of "will I loose 20fps?" a fairly moot point now with games running as well if not better (:coughGEARSOFWARcough
on Vista.
Personally I side with Preston that once you've given Vista a chance you just can't go back to Windows XP. From outward appearance it doesn't seem much more than a face-lift for Vista really, but after a few weeks of use you realise there are hundreds of subtle changes that just make it a better platform on the whole.
Something I quite frankly am more happy about is the fact is it stable. We're not just talking "oh it doesn't crash as often", but Windows XP and all other previous versions really had a habit of the more you use them the slower they got. Especially with development tools, anti-virus scanners, office tools, etc...
Using Vista though, over-time the OS doesn't slow down it actually get faster at the common things you normally do.
Ignore all the hype about DirectX10 for a second, just take the OS on the merits it actually has. Personally I love having all of my games show up on the Game Browser, which is a click away.
I like being able to use the sidebar to have notes, and show me RSS Feeds as and when they're updated.
I really like having boot up times that don't take so long I actually end up watching entire programs on TV while I'm waiting for Windows to stop loading all of those applications that it feels I need.
It's so much easier to see the system specs, change visual attributes, change options in the control panel. You feel safer knowing Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware and Firewalling is a fully integrated feature; not something added at the last second in a Service Pack to help stave constant attacks.
There is a peace of mind knowing that every application installed must have the adminstration approval to access sensitive areas of the Hard Disk; again protecting the OS.
It's nice to know that Windows itself will discover ANY network attached or any device without requiring mountains of drivers; and they will become instantly available upon detection.
Not having to restart the entire OS because of a crash, even in the video drivers; or even a simple fact of installing video drivers the system can install and use them without rebooting.
Having secure purchases with CardSpace, Windows Marketplace and Microsoft Music with everything handled through Windows itself. Knowing that Live is integrated throughout the OS meaning one sign-in is all I need to be able to use every live service attached to that particular LiveID.
It good to have the 64-bit version completely compatible with 32-bit and below software. Being able to run all older Windows software right down to 8-bit DOS applications without issues that plagued older versions of Windows.
Explorer, Internet Explorer and the Search facility all being intergrated with each other. A Task Manager that shows you not only the basic information, but also all of the services currently in use, and complete OS debugging to discover what programs are doing and when.
Parental Controls built-in to make sure that Television, Movies, Music and Games can all be controlled along with the time users are allowed to be on the system.
A Hibernation mode that powers down to minimal standby within seconds and also returns within seconds rather than minutes.
As I said, the question of what Vista has over XP is easily glossed over back the fact that usability wise Vista has no real advantage over XP that shines through. Reality is though it's the fact that it's hundreds of little aspects that have been tweaked, improved or just complete re-made in order to just make life easier.
An OS is suppose to make your life easier so you don't have to think so much about the everyday aspects and just get on with what you want to. Vista in my eyes is one of the first Windows to really make that statement true.
