Gwen Demulder

I’ve been using Windows since the dawn of time, for a while I did not even know that there were other operating systems out there. Ignorant, perhaps, but keep in mind, I was only a child at that time. To this day I’m sure the majority of computer users do not realise that there are other options out there.After years of waiting a new version of Windows is around the corner. The new version named Vista (which for some reason always makes me think of VISA cards) should be released early 2007, provided if there aren’t any delays (which seems to be a fashion trend these days: Vista, Playstation 3, …).I myself have been looking forward to this operating system for ages. But allong the road I lost a lot of my eagerness to get my hands on this operating system. Why? Well for starters there were those delays I mentioned but more importantly they seemed to be cutting the revolutionary parts from the operating system. Those things which could make Vista say, “Hey I’ve been pimped!”.

Yesterday the time finally came, with high hopes I inserted the Vista RC1 disk into my three year old Toshiba Satellite Pro M10 with the following specs:

• Intel Pentium M Processor 1300MHz
• 1024 MB RAM
• Geforce Go 420 32MB RAM(dedicated)
• 40GB Hard Drive

You may notice that the graphics card barely makes it onto the vista capable list (dx9 capable cards are required). So why would I even bother to install Vista RC1 on it?

Well first of all, I cannot afford a new device, second there are always those brave few that decide to upgrade their system when a new version of Windows arrives, those who can afford an upgrade of their OS but cannot afford to buy a new notebook or desktop. This article is actually written for those brave few, those knights in rusty armor.

So I slapped in the disc and the install began. I was in for a smooth ride, files copied without issues, extracted and installed themselves. Afterwards I got to give my login information. So far it went without troubles, however when I got my first boot I was in for a looooooong cruise. I actually watched an entire episode of friends waiting for the desktop to appear. And how did it appear? Well I didn’t count on those fancy transparant windows because my graphics card is well beyond an antique by todays standards. Then a problem or two popped up, the windows vista disc didn’t include any videocard and wireless lan drivers for my system. I was in the sofa when installing (Yes, I know I know, lazy bastard…) so I didn’t have a lan cable near, bugger, I had to get out and find a cable…

IT people should not be expected to actually make a physical effort. Minus one for Vista on my score card!

After finding a cable I plugged it in and started looking on the intel and nvidia site looking for drivers. Nvidia had them, Intel only had drivers for Vista Beta 2… Upon installing the nvidia drivers it quit, saying that there wasn’t a compatible card in my system. Toshiba and various other companies propably made alterations to the chip in some manner making them unique, it is a common practice under various brands. Unfortunally they aren’t going to be arsed to write new drivers for a three year old notebook. Luckelly the vista windows update popped up and it contained the needed drivers. Jay! I was lucky, but a lot of cheap systems use chipsets made by brand X, if you have one of those, don’t count on the windows update. You good sir knight are in for a ride from hell. You might as well throw the notebook in the trash (or put linux on it, actually, you could just go out and buy a usb wifi stick that is compatible but you can’t plug a decent graphics card onto your usb port!).

So after my troubles with the drivers it was time to move on to the media center that came with the beta. The interface is laggy, yet another feature that depends onto the graphical power of the system. I could play music and watch pictures. But playing Videos was out of the question.

Windows DVD Maker wouldn’t even start.

Photo Gallery works like a charm, it is a simple straight to the point program. You can adjust various things like the exposure, color and red eyes. I toyed around with it for a bit but grew tired of it, there’s only so much things you can do with a photo album. I got the distinct feeling it was a copy from iphoto. Is this a bad thing?

Absolutelly not, saying something like that would be the same as saying that someone who looks like Keira Knightley looks bad.

Keira = Hot!

The new mail application called mail may look new on the surface, but underneath it’s still plain old outlook.

There is a new application called callendar and I see it being used a lot in the future. About time they added this to the standard list of applications. It’s a simple looking application.

I like simple.

Windows meeting space seems like a fun new applications, it allows you to share your desktop, files etc. Keep in mind, this is not the same as just allowing someone to take control of your desktop and fubar a day worth of work.

The sound recorder has also gotten an overhaul.

In the end Vista looks like a similar update in size like the one windows 2000 had to windows XP. It only took ages longer.

Does this mean people shouldn’t bother upgrading? Well it depends on the system really, if your system is just barelly vista capable, don’t bother. Old pc’s used to run windows XP fine, till the needed service packs arrived, increasing system requiremens a gazillion times. It is a fact that updates tend to increase the system requirements. So please, don’t bother, stick with xp a while longer while saving for a new system (May I suggest a shiney mac if you don’t game?). If you are in the safe zone with your pc, don’t bother yet, be prepared to have some upgrades to your system. Standing next to Vista around the corner there is DirectX 10, which will bring a new wave of directX capable cards. also try to get you ram sticks as big as possible. I can see 2 and 4GB RAM machines in the near future.

For me and my laptop we’ve reached a dead end when it comes to Windows. I will not go beyond windows XP, because it is just another waste of money. I hope other people also have as much common sense. It doesn’t mean your notebook is useless now. Far from it, but perhaps it is time to consider other options. There’s this thing called linux, it isn’t the most user friendly, but it is friendly towards somewhat dated hardware.