Now that Microsoft’s new Vista is out in the stands and gaining popularity, here’s a look at what distinguishes it from its predecessor giant the Windows XP.
The Looks
Vista in its new avatar is a real knockout in the looks department compared to the old XP. Vista’s new graphical user interface - the Windows Aero promises higher display resolution and transparent windows for better program navigation. The thumbnail images of the current programs in use is a real bonus. The catch??? – the Aero’s performance is dependent on your video card’s 3D processing capability. Faster the video card, faster the switching between programs.
Vista introduces a cool new Side Bar with handy gadgets to reduce toggling the Start menu to launch your popular accessories like the Calculator, Notepad, RSS viewer, slideshow streaming of your photos, currency converter, games and more. The taskbar and quick launch bar too have a new look and feel with pop up windows for previews of programs that are currently running.
The Experience
The new Vista comes with a fresh concept of a scoring system called the Windows Experience Index. Vista maps the performance quotient of your system, by rating your principal hardware components like your RAM and CPU and your essential software. These scores reflect as your Windows Experience Index. So higher the score higher is the performance rating of your system. The only downfall of this system is that Vista doesn’t offer automatic updating for these scores when new hardware gets added to the system – it has to be updated manually.
Vista’s Start menu comes packed with utilities to manage your personal data. The Windows Mail program is a big improvement on the old Outlook Express with a better spam filtering system. Also the Address book concept of XP has been replaced with the Windows Contacts feature which allows you to even add photos of your contacts.
The photo editing feature of the Windows Photo Gallery which replaces the XP’s Windows Picture and Fax Viewer allows you to edit the color and size of your photos and even eliminate red-eye. Also all your date scheduling issues can now be fixed with the Windows Calender feature. Go global with your new calendar. The Windows Calender lets you upload your calendar to a website and share it with others - Setting up meetings was never easier. The Security
Vista aims at a better and more secure Operating System with features like the BitLocker which can encrypt the entire system drive and prevent data theft. It also comes with the Network Access Protection feature to ensure others without appropriate security updates cannot log onto your network.
The Entertainment
Vista comes integrated with the Windows Media Center unlike the old XP where it featured only on separate editions. The Vista’s Media center comes with better visuals and even better user interface. It comes with a better in-built support system to archive TV shows directly onto DVDs. It also comes with a digital cable tuner to support digital cable viewing.
The Windows media Center comes with better display resolution and is also suitable for wide screen displays. What’s more ….you can even use it with a remote control.
Vista’s new Windows Media Player 11 comes with better playback controls and a dynamic new library which allows you to customize the look and feel of your music collection display. You can rip songs from CDs into two new audio formats - Windows Media Audio Pro and WAV. The Media Player also comes with access to online stores like URGE music service from MTV to check out their latest music offerings.
The Troubleshooting
Vista comes equipped with its own bag of tools to troubleshoot problems not just with the system but also the network. You can generate reports to spot the problem areas in your system like missing drivers using the Generate a system health report feature.
The Packaging
Vista comes in Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions. It also comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Is Your System Ready for Vista??? – Well….Remember, a minimum 512MB RAM and a good video card are recommended to experience Vista to the fullest. |
