Windows Vista: 15 Reasons to Switch

[Capper]

Windows Vista is almost here. To anyone who has been sitting on the fence over whether to upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system, I'll say it loud and clear: It's time to make the jump. There are plenty of reasons to leave Windows XP and install Vista, and below are my top 15 favorites.
Not everyone agrees with me, however. For the opposing point of view, read "Wait! Don't Buy Windows Vista."
And to help you make up your own mind, here's a list of other informative PC World Windows Vista stories and video:

• A video tour of Windows Vista's features with Senior Editor Yardena Arar.
• Exclusive: First Vista PC Lab Tests
• Windows Vista FAQ

But I'm sold on upgrading to Vista. Why? Well...
1. It's the Interface, Stupid

Perhaps the best thing about Windows Vista is the most obvious: its new interface. With transparent animated windows that swoosh into place, subtle and elegant colors, a new Start menu, and plenty of other changes, this is the most beautiful version of Windows you've seen. If you've ever had Mac envy, this is the Windows you want--it's the most Mac-like interface yet.
2. Flip Over Windows Flip 3D



Switching between open windows using Alt-Tab in previous versions of Windows was always a shot in the dark, as you never quite knew to which window you'd switch, or even which ones were open. That has all changed in Windows Vista. Press Alt-Tab, and Windows Flip 3D springs into action, displaying thumbnails of all your open windows in a gorgeous, 3D stack. You can then flip through them until you find the one you want.
3. Live Thumbnails

Do you run a lot of programs and visit a lot of Web sites simultaneously? If so, you'll appreciate Live Thumbnails. Hover your mouse over any window on the Taskbar, and a thumbnail of the window pops up, with the program and document name, or the Web site name, just above it. The thumbnails are truly "live," so if a video is playing in a window, you'll see the video playing in the thumbnail too.
4. Boost Performance With ReadyBoost

Windows Vista includes a quick way to enhance system performance: ReadyBoost. It preloads files and programs you often use into RAM so that they're there when you want them, and you don't have to wait for them to load from the hard disk. You can buy an inexpensive USB flash drive and use up to 4GB of cheap RAM to boost your system performance.
5. Cool Performance Tools

If you're the kind of person who tends to peek under the hood and tinker, you'll find a lot to like in Windows Vista, which contains plenty of applets and utilities. Probably the best of them all is the Reliability and Performance Monitor. It keeps tabs on every aspect of your PC in exquisite detail, including the CPU, hard disk, network usage, and RAM use, and it includes plenty of charts, reports, and logs for your inner geek. The Reliability Monitor module is particularly noteworthy, as it charts the reliability of your PC over time and shows you every single problem or failure in a calendar format.
6. Better Security



At every level of Windows Vista, you'll find improved security. The firewall is now two-way, including inbound as well as outbound protection. Windows Defender offers spyware protection, and Internet Explorer has an antiphishing filter to protect against Web scams. A slew of security holes have been plugged in Internet Explorer, and the browser now operates in what's called Protected Mode, which guards system files against external attacks. There's plenty more under the hood as well, including Windows Service Hardening, which protects vital files and settings. (Note: BitLocker's automatic drive encryption and other advanced Vista security options are available only in the Business and Ultimate versions.)
7. Find Anything Fast With Search

Can't remember where you put an important file? It's no longer a problem. Windows Vista integrates a new search technology throughout the operating system--on the Start menu, within Windows Explorer, and just about everywhere else you look. It uses indexing and is lightning fast, and it literally searches as you type. A powerful advanced search tool lets you narrow your search by date, file size, author, tags, and location. It also accepts Boolean searching. You can even save your searches for future reference.
8. Nifty Software Gadgets



If you're a software gadget fan, you'll love Vista. It includes a variety of software gadgets that live on the desktop and do little tasks such as delivering stock quotes, showing weather forecasts, displaying RSS feeds, monitoring the state of your computer, checking your e-mail inbox, and more. Vista ships with a gaggle of them, but you can find dozens more online--and they're all free.
9. Better Wireless Networking

Anyone who uses a wireless network at home, at work, or on the road will appreciate the way Windows Vista handles wireless networking. You can more easily find new wireless networks, and save them and manage them as permanent connections. Wireless security has also been improved: When you connect at a public hotspot, security precautions (such as the shutting off of file sharing) automatically lock into place.
10. Map Your Network



Want to see every single computer and device connected to your network--and get instant information about each, such as their IP addresses? The Network Map does that for you. It also lets you make instant connections to any device; double-click a PC, for example, and you'll connect to its shared folders.

PC World - Windows Vista: 15 Reasons to Switch

[Zambini]

Or we can wait till the Level 1 Beta testers (aka: first generation purchasers) fish out all the bugs!


I can't believe they don't have DX10 on that! That's really the only thing I can see myself upgrading for.

[Lokie]

Just being the enthusiast that I am I will be upgrading no matter what.

[whitecree]

Yawn. Microsux makes extravagant claims once more. This is something they've been doing since before Win95 came out.

Now, don't get me wrong. One or two of those goodies Capper mentions sounds like it might be fun. At least for the first day or so, but face it. All those neat-o effects and goodies come at a performance price.

And what about Windoze irritating, clunky, pain-in-the-butt "you can't activate more than 3 times" activation idiocy? Have they done away with that crap yet?

Thanks for the update Capper. But I'll pass (for now)

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Actually, I have to admit. A few of those features look pretty sweet. I have always been one to wait about a year for major bugs to be worked out also... but I may not wait that long for this if I can get it at a good price. A bigger factor is going to be how long the wait will be for the NEXT windows after Vista.

[JazzyJake]

Originally Posted by PrOLifIC_onE

A bigger factor is going to be how long the wait will be for the NEXT windows after Vista.

Vienna, and i think it's going to be (relatively soon)

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Zambini

Or we can wait till the Level 1 Beta testers (aka: first generation purchasers) fish out all the bugs!


I can't believe they don't have DX10 on that! That's really the only thing I can see myself upgrading for.

Agreed, and agreed. I'll wait at least 6 months before even remotely considering dropping cash for a copy of Vista.
And yeah, DirectX 10 is arguably one of the biggest changes with Vista!!!

[Zambini]

The only problems I can see with Dx10 is that not only do you have to blow 300+ for a DECENT new DX10 capable video card, but you also have to blow an extra 100-300 bucks for Vista itself.

[Capper]

I'll have to upgrade for the site....but I won't recommend upgrading for 3-6 months, or until all the kinks are out.
I wish I could tell everyone not to upgrade until Vienna was ready, but who knows when that will be.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Capper

I'll have to upgrade for the site.

Maybe just install it on a second box, and do some articles about the experience using it on the second system.