Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

Pros: I've heard many of the criticisms of Vista out there, but have always been baffled by them. Almost every complaint someone has can usually be fixed in about a minute. I disabled UAC the first day, right through windows options. Not sure about older hardware/software, but I've had almost no problems at all with drivers and such. Any problem I did have could usually be fixed by a workaround. Keep in mind that this is for 64 bit, too, so its probably the least supported version, yet works great. Extremely easy to install. Takes 1 minute to change power options, Pete... Another key complaint is memory hogging. The idea it's using is that unused memory is being wasted, so it reserves your idle memory for applications you run often, making them fast when you start them. When something like a game requires more RAM, Windows lets go and free's enough up. Works well.

Cons: I've had the occasional bluescreen. Not sure if its Vista, or hardware related. Be aware that 32 bit programs will take up more RAM on a 64 bit OS.

Overall Review: I have 2gb of RAM, and a E6750 cpu. For vista, more ram definitely means more performance. 2gb seems like a good amount. You'll be able to get away with 1gb, but with prices these day, it's well worth it to spend a measly $30 more for a huge performance boost. I plan on getting 8gb eventually, should be great.

Pros: I used Vista HP 64-bit for my sister's build. It's flawless. No driver issues at all with any hardware or software. Installed OS in 35 minutes. Takes 4GB of RAM like a champ. I've got Vista Ult 32-bit in my own rig and have had it since 2 weeks before it came out. I never had any of the problems that other people . . . then again, maybe I'm lucky or know what I'm doing. I never could understand from my own experience why people had so many problems. I OC, I game, do DVDs, all that jazz and got my stuff work fine.

Cons: No matter how many times I install it, iTunes keeps saying "install did not complete," and the toolbar won't show up. Other than that, all other software works absolutely fine. I can't even tell it's 64-bit until I go into My Computer and see a separate x86 folder. Really people, quick being scared. The bugs are worked out. Everybody I know runs Vista (we're all geeks) and we all LOVE it. Going back to an XP machine is always cumbersome b/c of extra mouse clicks and it's not SMOOTH like Vista. SP1 comes out Q1-08, but there's no need to wait that long. Vista works NOW, go ahead and buy it!!!!

Overall Review: Rosewill R5602-BK case, Thermaltake TR2 RX 450W PSU, GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H mobo, AMD X2 6000+ AM2, ZEROTherm Nirvana NV120, 4GB (4x1GB) A-DATA DDR2 800, WD Caviar SE 160GB and SE16 320GB, Sound Blaster Audigy SE, LG 18X DVD burner, Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Pros: New style is extremely sleek and beautiful, installed all the drivers for me (except my integrated AC'97 audio chip), somehow expanded my 256mb vram to a wopping 520mb, more secure then fort knox, direct x 10, the widgets are extremely handy and cool, the installation seamed to be faster then with xp... maybe it just me? Theres many many many more pros then this but I couldn't fit them all within 1000 characters. Just trust me on this all this "exact same as xp excpet the new look" stuff is completely untrue (which i have known before i got it but id like to point out those people don't have a clue about this operating systems advances.) All the complaining over "bugs" I have heard also seams to be untrue. However, i wouldnt put my money to it seeing how there were updates to be downloaded when i bought this so it might have fixed those "bugs."

Cons: BIG cons here for medium and low range systems. Ram usage with this operating system is MASSIVE if you dont have 2gb like myself you will very quickly run out!! Its also pretty hard on your cpu when compaired to xp but its really nothing too bad for high end systems. Overall the major con is medium and low end systems might be "vista ready" but there not gonna run it well.

Overall Review: I'd like to say if your going to use this I recomend at least 1.5gb ram, an amd processor 2ghz or more with at least 2 cores, a geforce 7 series or later with at least 256mb, and a large hard disc since this does use alot of space! The "bugs" that people have been complaining about may have been caused by there systems being too slow for vista you might want to stick to xp if your system isn't very good!

Pros: Installed it on brand new rig i built, no problems at all, runs very smooth, no driver problem because all of my hardware is brand new.

Cons: windows media player shuts down sometimes randomly. Make sure there is 64 bit drivers for your hardware.

Overall Review: Evga 680i, E6850 stock, evga 8600 gts SLI, 2 gig Patriot Extreme, CS:S avg fps 120...

Pros: Slick user interface. Easy to use. Most all software works with it. Just make sure your hardware drivers are vista ready.

Cons: None

Overall Review: I recoment the 64 bit version. Then you can install 4Gb of Mem with no problem. Most new software will run on it and alot of leagacy stuff will to. It will emulate 32 bit well.

Pros: Very happy with 64-bit Vista so far, seems much less piggy then 32-bit vista was. No issues to speak of so far driver wise.

Cons: Its kinda bloated, the windows folder is a good 20gigs once its all setup and patched.

Overall Review: First time i have been happy with my OS since i left Xp Pro. 32-bit Vista is a waste of money and will give you a bad impression of Vista as a OS. If your computer cant run 64-bit Vista i would advise staying with Xp Pro till it can.

Pros: Fast... Good Looking......Finally stable OS. Personally i prefer Vista over XP for everything including gaming since it will support direct x 10.1 with the right hardware.

Cons: old windows 95/98 games dont always run smooth but i wouldnt let this stop me from buying vista.

Overall Review: loaded in about 10 min. this was my second build and it was for my little brother. AMD 5000+,MSI K9A2 CF-F AM2+, G. Skill DDR2 800 2g, ATI 2600 pro(64bit). great system for the price

Pros: This is a nice interface, and a powerful OS - it sure is pretty! Intuitive layout, love the sidebar gagdets, maintains functionality with WinXP x86 (32-bit) software almost completely. It's not like they abandoned backwards compatibility as many reviewers would have you believe. Just double check your hardware that there is a 64-bit driver (often, there is) or at least a work around (usually available if you look hard enough). Runs nicely on my Intel Core Duo E6750 w/ 4GB 1066 RAM, with a new Gigabyte MB and GeForce 8600GT 256MB card. I'm using my standard-projection TV in the living room (hooked up to component video outs of my video card) as my Windows Media Center, and eliminated my DVD player from my house, and can now listen to or view every multimedia file on my computer from my living room couch. Windows Media Center is my favorite new app. Also, the backup wizard is included, and video backgrounds can be used with a workaround.

Cons: Buy 4GB of RAM if you can afford it - Vista will suck it right up, but for good cause (elegant and quick interface throughout). Cheapos, don't fear - 2GB will still work. Also, the need for a 64-bit processor for this x64 version may put a few people out, but the actual and potential performance enhancements that come from x64 are well worth the cash. Playing my DivX and Xvid videos in Windows Media Center (NOT Windows Media Player... different program, and WM Player plays everything I throw at it) didn't work until I found an x64 codec workaround on the internet. Doesn't come with MS Office, heheh :)

Overall Review: All the complaints in these reviews are tiring. If you build a nice system (doesn't have to be really high end) and are a fan of XP, then this is your next logical step. SP1 has worked fine for me, including hardware. Anyone who can't do a quick Google search for how to turn off User Access Control prompts doesn't deserve to be able to write a review. Not a perfect product, but it does to XP's image what XP did to Windows 98. A considerable --and enjoyable-- upgrade.