Microsoft has delayed Vista until January 07 – but while that seems like bad news, it gives you more time to prepare and Microsoft more time to polish its new arrival.
This column appears in the June 06 issue of PC Advisor, which is available now in all good newsagents.
If you thought that the wait for Windows Vista, Microsoft's super-slick replacement for Windows XP, couldn't get any worse, you'd be wrong. Santa Bill Gates and his busy Microsoft elves haven't been as busy as we'd like. News has emerged that Windows Vista isn't going to be ready for the all-important Christmas-buying season – and that means many of us having to screw up our seasonal wish lists and chuck them in the fire.
Obviously Vista is a complicated project. Microsoft is not only rewriting the way in which much of its operating system works, but taking the time to ensure its new product is up to scratch. PC makers will be in for a cruel Yule, admittedly, as many people tend to buy a new computer when an operating system ships. And Microsoft will face a bleak Christmas, presumably having hoped to have shipped as many copies of Vista as possible sooner rather than later.
But, PC-makers' coffers and Bill's billions aside, what does the Vista delay mean for you? Well, unless you really get a buzz out of installing and running the latest system as soon as it launches, the hold-up won't mean much at all. First, the actual delay is mere weeks. If your computer can't cling on to life without a Windows transplant, then you should simply upgrade your PC, then install Vista when it ships. From next month, stores will be carrying ‘Ready for Windows Vista' stickers on systems that can upgrade without any hassles.
Taking in the Vista
In fact, the delay could be seen as good news. The official reason is that Vista will benefit from tighter security – a real boon for anyone online. It'll also get a spit and polish, look slicker and have technologies such as Gadgets. Once here in January 2007, your PC will get a facelift that will add a sparkle to the New Year.
On a happier note, I've just received word that BT is going to deliver something on time, unlike the tardy folk at Microsoft. BT has revealed that it's rolling out 8Mbps (megabit per second) broadband across the country from April 2006 – and has a special offer price of just £11.99 per month, including free evening and weekend calls. Expect other broadband providers to follow suit. This really could be the time to make the jump to broadband if you're still lagging behind on a dialup connection. The price jumps to a more serious £17.99 per month after three months, but if you want the fastest-and-easiest available broadband, it's definitely worth a look.
Finally, long-time Microsoft rival Apple turned 30 on 1 April, 2006. And, while many of you aren't fans of its Mac OS X operating system, Apple has moved its latest Mac PCs over to Intel chips. Maybe the Vista delay means one thing. A happy Christmas for Apple?
Comments
Jorge said: First the actual delay is mere weeksMere weeks Vista has been delayed for years when it was still codenamed as Longhorn But you are right Vista aint Longhorn Many features planned for Longhorn wont make it in Vista
paul one said: IS VISTA GOING TO BE COME ANOTHER 98MEXP IS STILL NOT GREAT LINUX TAKE TO LONG TO RUN AFTER A DOWN LOAD AND APPLE MAC CAN THEY GET THERE XP LINUX MC TO WORK FRIST SYSTEM TO WORK BE FORE THEY UP GRADE US IN TO MORE REPAIRS
AlexUK2 said: Ill say thisas sure as Mr Gates has a hole in his ase his new Vista will need more RAM a bigger hard drive faster graphics card better case cooling etc etc And whenever it arrives you can count on it still being buggy
CB said: Windows Vista is delayed - so bloody what An article I read in a PC magazine talks about 10 reasons why you need Windows Vista blah blah blah Question are some PC magazines part of Microsofts Marketing machineCan anybody please explain to me what killer features have been announced for Vista which will make it a must have upgrade and will they actually be included in the final versionCome on guys we have had to endure this crap with Windows 95 98 ME XP - give us a breakRemember new is not necessarily better
CB said: Windows Vista is delayed - so bloody what An article I read in a PC magazine talks about 10 reasons why you need Windows Vista blah blah blah Question are some PC magazines part of Microsofts Marketing machineCan anybody please explain to me what killer features have been announced for Vista which will make it a must have upgrade and will they actually be included in the final versionCome on guys we have had to endure this crap with Windows 95 98 ME XP - give us a breakRemember new is not necessarily better
Dave Doormouse said: Id like to second what Mike 1936 said The point of PCA website is to help each other out Its about charity Im a pensioner too and cant afford a new PC but to be honest Windows 98 on my trusty 486 isabousltly fine
Mike1936 said: Ive got no idea how you lot can buy youre laptops and PCs and Playstations I like my PCA subscritpiopn dont get me wrong but how can you buy a computer when your on a pension like so many of us are Its true what they say One half doesnt know how the ofther half lives
Alan Fletcher said: Hmmm me too I was going to buy a PC or a notebook Definitely holding off on any major purchase for some time now Thanks PCA
Glen Brown said: PCAdvisor once again comes to the asistance of the Home PC layman by keeping them informed in understandable english of important current pc news Ill be delaying my intending purchase of a new pc until PCAdvisor gives their update in 2007