October 12, 2006 7:00 AM PDT
Microsoft doesn't want Santa to ignore Vista
- Related Stories
-
Piecing together Windows Vista
November 8, 2006 -
In the home stretch toward Vista
October 9, 2006 -
Microsoft sends out final test version of Vista
October 6, 2006 -
Microsoft releases latest version of WMP 11
August 31, 2006 -
Public gets peek at Windows Media Player 11
May 15, 2006 -
Vista debut hits a delay
March 21, 2006 -
Microsoft boxes up Vista
February 26, 2006
The software maker is launching two programs aimed at making finding such products easier. The company said that more than 250 hardware and software products will sport either the "Certified for Windows Vista" or "Works with Windows Vista" logo. The former indicates products that have gone through independent testing and meet certain performance standards, while the latter are products that must merely be Vista-compatible.
"This certification ensures our customers will have a great experience with these products now, and an even better one when they are using them with Windows Vista," Mike Sievert, corporate vice president of Windows client marketing, said in a statement before his opening keynote speech Thursday at the DigitalLife trade show in New York.
The software maker had hoped to have the operating system ready in time to be inside new PCs this holiday season, but said in March that it would miss that goal.
The company hopes to give people a small taste of Vista later this month as it makes available for download Windows XP versions of Windows Media Player 11 and Internet Explorer 7. Both products have been in testing. The final version of IE 7 is expected in the next two weeks, while Microsoft said that Windows Media Player 11 will be available as a free download Oct. 24.
Microsoft last week issued Release Candidate 2 of Vista in what the company hopes will be the last public test version of the operating system before it is finalized later this year.
The company is still aiming to have Vista in the hands of large businesses by November and on new PCs and in stores by January. Microsoft has said there will be six separate versions of Vista.
See more CNET content tagged:
Microsoft Windows Vista,
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7,
Microsoft Windows Media Player,
Windows Media,
Microsoft Corp.
I can't wait to see the public's reaction to [i]that[/i] realization:
SalesSchmuck: "Yes, it's all Vista-Ready!"
JoeBuyer: "So it doesn't come with Vista?"
SS: "Not yet, but when it comes out you can come back and get a real nice deal for Vista that you can install - only $(insert multi-hundred-dollar pricetag here)"
JB: "***!?"
...
Of course, you can just buy the family a Mac and have it all right now, all ready to go on Christmas morning. As a bonus, you won't have to purchase (or worry about the inter-company struggles of) any Symantec/McAfee crap or any anti-spyware stuff to boot.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Ballmer!
(chuckle...)
/P
The actual stated numbers for Vista don't translate to a lot of choice when divided across function, and may suggest a less than huge software maker enthusiasm.
I have a couple of friends who will wait after the holidays to get a new Vista PC, and I am sure many people will wait because it makes no sense buying a new PC right now and then spending more money and hassles to upgrade later?
I personally think MACs are better and lucky for me their new MAS OS X Leopard will be available for the Holidays.... Time for me to buy a new MAC
Microsoft totally missed the boat on this one and it took them almost 6 years to get to this sorry state.
Vista will be remembered as a "skip version" since Microsoft already went on record as saying they were going to be "more nimble" and releases of new OS's would be typically 2-3 years so just skip it and get the next version.
If MS pulls another Vista (definition: wasted millions of man hours and dollars) then they will be Microgone.
There are only three scenarios and both will end badly for MS. People will either ask if Vista is free when it comes out and how do they mail in the sticker to get Vista?
OR - they will hold onto the sticker and when Vista comes out, they will go to the store and ask for heir free Vista.
OR - when Vista comes out, either Vista won't load or will just wipe out people' HDD's - MS will be at the business end of a dozen class action lawsuits.
By the end of 2007, it will be clear that MS is done as a consumer company.
evil C|NOT...
Vista : Payback time to Uncle Bill & BaldyBot.
- Buy Lots Of Memory and Processing Power...
-
by matt_parker
October 18, 2006 2:37 PM PDT
- because you will need it to run this pig! Apparently, it will require a GB of RAM to run properly. You better get your maxed our system put together and ready to go before loading Vista because their licensing will only allow one "machine" transfer!
-
Reply to this comment
-
-
See all 55 Comments >>