Alright folks, so this is the other side of me --the "techie" side. My laptop is outdated and out of juice at present (it's done me good for 6 years though...gotta be a record for laptop users!) and I'm borrowing one of the testing laptops, from work, as my replacement for a week. The unit I'm using is installed with Windows Vista Home Premium.
So is it worth upgrading to the new Windows OS? Eh. Not really. At least, not right now. It takes some getting use to, as with anything. Although the interface is shiny and pretty, (almost Mac-like in some instances as far as features are concerned), that's all it is...eye candy--translating into slow and sluggish on many points. Accessibility to some options is like going on a treasure hunt and some names have been replaced in the Control Panel.
Right clicking on the desktop no longer gives you the Properties option, instead replaces it with the "Personalization" option. This is where the Display settings, Themes, Screen Saver, etc. is, however, these options are presented as individual settings that open into separate windows instead of all being accessible in one window like we're used to seeing. Here's a screen shot:
So is it worth upgrading to the new Windows OS? Eh. Not really. At least, not right now. It takes some getting use to, as with anything. Although the interface is shiny and pretty, (almost Mac-like in some instances as far as features are concerned), that's all it is...eye candy--translating into slow and sluggish on many points. Accessibility to some options is like going on a treasure hunt and some names have been replaced in the Control Panel.
Right clicking on the desktop no longer gives you the Properties option, instead replaces it with the "Personalization" option. This is where the Display settings, Themes, Screen Saver, etc. is, however, these options are presented as individual settings that open into separate windows instead of all being accessible in one window like we're used to seeing. Here's a screen shot:
Another thing of note is that the ability to choose each option all at once (opening more than one window) has been taken away--meaning, you literally have to open one option then hit the back arrow and choose another option if you have to. As small a change as it may seem it can become cumbersome, as well as annoying.
Add/Remove Programs is now called "Programs and Features." Network Properties is now "Network and Sharing Center," where you'll find all of the management settings on the sidebar of the window.
Add/Remove Programs is now called "Programs and Features." Network Properties is now "Network and Sharing Center," where you'll find all of the management settings on the sidebar of the window.
I personally put shortcuts to everything I needed prior for my testing purposes, but I'm done with the professional aspect of it now. Having had some downtime on this, without the pressure of meeting deadlines at work, I've gotten a little more familiar with getting around. Doesn't mean I like it though nor am I switching over as soon as it starts shipping on the 27th of this month. I'm content with XP PRO. Besides, it's being shipped without a Service Pack and Lord knows it needs one. I'm not completely blasting it. There are some cool features like Aero:
I know I haven't told you everything you need/want to know about Vista nor have I scratched the surface, but I'm tired and going to bed. Besides, it's not like I'm the only one discussing this on the net.
I'll leave you with this....even with "the world's fastest processor" (this is running the Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 - 2GHz) I still have time to tap my fingers before an application opens up.
I'll leave you with this....even with "the world's fastest processor" (this is running the Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 - 2GHz) I still have time to tap my fingers before an application opens up.
