Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1

Pros: SP1 helped alot, the days of hardware incompatibilities, and driver problems are virtually gone. i truly think vista is ready to be widely adopted now.

Cons: price, i wish it was around $100, i would buy it for alot more of my computers.

Overall Review: microsoft did some great things with this OS if you really take the time to look at it without bias. don't listen to all those uneducated, biased people who tell you vista stinks, find out for yourself, but make sure your computer can handle it, or stick with XP. if your computer doesn't have 1. amd athlon 64 or higher/ intel pentium dual core (not pentium D) or higher 2. 2GB or RAM or higher (preferably DDR2 800) 3. Nvidia 6600 / ATI Radeon 9800 or higher (256 MB video memory for dream scene) then you probably shouldn't buy this in my opinion.

Pros: I was forced to rebuild my computer thanks to my old XP rig dying. I purchased the retail version of SP1 because I wanted my OS to recognize 4GB's of RAM and above and it included both the 32 & 64-bit versions. Plus, if you like to tinker with your computer and replace components every now and then, you won't have to call Microsoft every second to explain yourself to them. The operating system has a nice look to it and the translucent Aero windows appear nice, although remember that all that eye-candy takes up resources. DirectX 10.

Cons: If you use Checkpoint VPN software to connect to work from home, you cannot use the 64-bit install currently. This is not a problem with Vista, but be aware of this and don't install the 64-bit version first only to find this out and have to reinstall the 32-bit version later! Fortunately the retail version comes with both versions and I had no problem activating the 32-bit version despite having activated the 64-bit version the night before. You probably will come across other programs that do not work on 64-bit Vista yet so take note that the extra money you spend on the retail version with both versions (32 & 64) may end up saving you a lot of hassle. If you like the look of "Windows Classic", Vista does a poor job of replicating it. Vista's version of classic does not compare to XP and looks awful. I was quite dismayed by how unclassic Vista could look and ended up deciding not to use it, despite trying all the settings and spending hours Googling how to make it look better

Overall Review: It's annoying having Windows ask you for 1,000 confirmations every time you want to use a program or browse a folder. Vista is a resource hog and I have not noticed a remarkable improvement in speed over my old XP rig for basic functions, bootup time, and general document and utility purposes. Obviously transferring files and games is now faster with the better rig (and graphics card). For comparison's sake, my old rig running XP was a Pentium 4 3.0C (with 4GB Corsair XMS memory, 500GB WD HD, Asus P4C800E-Deluxe, 9800XT). I'm currently running Vista on the following setup: Q9550 Intel Quad Core CPU, EVGA 790i Ultra SLI motherboard, 4 GB Corsair XMS (1600), 300GB Velociraptor, NVidia Geforce 260GTX, PC Power & Cooling 750W PSU, Thermaltake Armor 8003.

Pros: I installed the 64-bit version (the 32-bit version is included as well) and I love it. All of my devices are recognized immediately and my system runs it well. The interface is nice and I sure don't know what people are complaining about. I really enjoy this OS.

Cons: Price is a bit high right now @ $280.

Overall Review: I know a lot of people have complained about Vista but I think that is a thing of the past. Don't be afraid to give it a shot on a newer system. I'd say most issues come from people trying to upgrade previous systems that simply don't have the hardware capability. The only program I've run into so far that isn't compatible with the x64 system is Palm. However, that's a Palm thing, not a Microsoft thing.

Pros: You can't beat the flexibility of the Full Retail license. I was debating to get the OEM or Upgrade. But with this, you can install the 32bit first, then switch to 64bit later, even if you upgrade or replace the computer. I did a clean install of Vista SP1 without resorting to work-arounds, and since I didn't need my XP-SP2 OEM license to install Vista, I was able to still use it to create a dual boot system. Nice... The new interface in Vista is fantastic. I liked it even better than I thought I would. My computer feels brand new again. No issues at install, and I haven't run into any bugs or crashes. The OS feels very solid. I love the new Aero effects of course, but the new search features are a close second. It took a few days for me to "settle in", but now everything just feels right.

Cons: New Welcome Center has 4 separate links to Windows Live services, and 1 for Windows Marketplace. A bit annoying, but after the first day you turn off the welcome center anyway. Also wish both versions (x32 and x64) were on the same DVD. There's 2 disks in the box, one for each. No big deal of course.

Overall Review: My box was definitely new and unopened. And the "With Service Pack 1" message on the box was not a sticker- it's printed on the inside sleeve. Both DVD's say "Includes Service Pack 1" on them as well. EcoWhale may have received a repackaged retail box (if the DVD's are new with a valid Key, then it's no big deal), but mine was new and sealed.

Pros: Windows Vista Ultimate is aesthetically appealing to the user. The combination of features like Aero, Sidebar, and Dreamscene are not the reason I chose this operating system, but they are welcome additions to the product. I wanted an improved 64-bit operating system (previously using Windows XP) that would utilize 8GB of RAM and achieve a high level of compatability with hardware and software (particular those with gaming in mind).

Cons: Upon my initial installation attempt of Windows Vista Ultimate, I was prompted to install/locate the driver for the CD/DVD drive. Vista would not recognize the firmware when I provided it via USB flash drive. I could have sought individual drivers online and attempted installation, but I chose to purchase a new CD/DVD drive with the "Works with Windows Vista" logo. I've not experienced any other inconveniences so far.

Overall Review: The software and packaging were undamaged upon inspection. I would recommend this item to anyone. Friends warned me not to try Windows Vista for fear of problems. I did hear about and read about many problems concerning game performance and compatability issues in the past, but I have experienced no problems. I currently have BF2142, World of Warcraft, and Age of Conan running perfectly smooth on this operating system.

Pros: SP1 built in. Choice between 32 bit (use now) or 64 bit (probably doable in a few years).

Cons: Package has been opened, new DVDs placed in, and then resealed. A SP1 sticker has been affixed to the original box. To me this is just as good as otherwise, but I have to assume the COA has not been used (hopefully not!). I'll update my rating when I activate in a few weeks.

Overall Review: I'm providing this info for those who want to know how SP1 is included: Built in the DVD or seperate DVD: It's built in.

Pros: Get this version, not the OEM. It's worth the extra $$$ to be able to put it on different systems. And don't bother with 32 bit, go for 64 Ultimate. You'll have to in a year anyhow. System repair is also quite useful if something gets messed up.

Cons: None that I've noticed thus far!

Overall Review: When initially installing Windows Updates, download and install them five at a time from oldest to newest. Otherwise the O/S will get confused as to what to configure and such. Antec 900(soon to be Antec 1200) EVGA 780i SLI Q6600 @ 3.2 GHz (soon to be Q9650) Zalman CNPS9700 110mm EVGA GTX260FTW SLI (step-up to GTX285 SLI in 74 days) Thermaltake 850W Modular PSU 2x WD Caviar Blue 640GB 7200rpm in Raid 0 8GB OCZ Reaper PC28500 5-5-5-15 2t @1066mhz LG Black Blu-Ray DVD Burner GGC-H20L Logitech G15 Keyboard Razer Diamondback 3G EARTH GREEN Gaming Mouse Razer eXactMat and eXactRest Samsung 22" 220WM in 1680x1050 Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP1 3DMark Vantage - P20,099

Pros: This OS is very cooperative with the newer games and applications. Works flawlessly on the rig I have, and I've yet to experience any of these major problems people seem to whine about. With 4Gb of RAM, you'll be set.

Cons: Initially there was a lot of "This program is attempting to do "such and such," are you sure?" going on during downloads. This seems to be the poster child problem of Vista. Guess what. Push a button, it stops. This isn't even problematic enough to be considered a Con.

Overall Review: Worth the money, very glad I have it. It works, it works well, and that's what matters.