Customer Reviews

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate UPGRADE Limited Numbered Signature Edition [DVD] [Old Version]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Do your homework on hardware compatibility. While you may be able to run Microsoft's analysis tool during install which is supposed to alert you to any problems with existing hardware ... it does NOT work in all cases.

Good luck !

After 5+ years in development, I expected a little more from Vista and from the 3rd party vendors (hardware and software).
Pros:
1. Nice smooth install, even on raid system

Cons:
1. Driver support lacking
2. Software support lacking
3. Price

Push:
1. Eye candy

The only thing I found better about Vista over XP was the installation process. The GUI effects are a nice evolution for the Windows platform, but certainly nothing groundbreaking.

As for the cons, it is probably more a knock against the 3rd party vendors then it is against Vista. One would think that these vendors would have invested more time and resources into their Vista drivers, but sadly many drivers are still very buggy (nvidia), in beta, or not being supported at all for some products (i.e. several HP printers). Fortunately, you are able to install XP drivers if they are properly signed (in most cases).

Also note that certain programs will not run under Vista even though they ran under XP (e.g. Quickbooks 2006). If you have "legacy" software that you need in your daily computer life, make sure it is supported under Vista or at least find out if there is an upgrade available. If you plan accordingly hopefully you won't have any unpleasant surprises.

Don't forget that when you upgrade your XP license is no longer valid. If you plan to dual boot, get the retail version or use the upgrade workaround.

Recommendation: Stay with XP until more of the driver and software issues are resolved or buy a new system that is completely Vista compatible. No matter which way you go, this upgrade will not come cheap (in money or time)

Long awaited, but well worth it....... installed it in less than 15 mins. Yes, plan for a bigger Hardrive, and unlike many other reviews, the Driver issues are all being worked out. I didn't have to search the world over to find my driver, it picked everything, even things that only got as far as Win 98 SE support.

After dealing with a number of driver issues I went back to XP (Built a new system about 3 months ago). It's not a bad product if it comes preinstalled on a new machine, but if you are looking to upgrade I would not recommend it.
I also hated the new look. I find it very ugly and realy hope that Mircrosoft, or anyone else, comes up with some new visual styles for it. I might try insatlling it again a year or so from now once manufacturers catch up with their drivers and software.

I installed it on 2 computers. One was an upgrade. One was a clean install. Both have had many complete system lock ups. Both systems seem somewhat unstable, unlike xp which was relatively good for a new os. There are many, many pieces of software that are not ready yet (check Linksys support for only one example). The security is so extreme that a virus looks easy to deal with. Turning off "user account control" even they say not to seems to help greatly if you are doing a clean install and have to reinstall a lot of programs. I wish I had waited 6 months or more before doing this.

I recently purchased Windows Vista Ultimate operating system to upgrade my PC from Windows XP. I find Vista Ultimate to be an improvement over XP with many new and handy features. I purchased this software online and received it promptly and in good condition. I was satisfied that I received a good price from the seller.

windows visa is not for everyone, I had a little problem installing due to the product being an upgrade vers a full, but overall I am happy with my purchase.

Microsoft has many enemies. That's what happens when you are #1 and many below you wish they could be at the top.

Vista is a solid product. It was not as solid the day it was released, but what is? It's now only been a few months and the updates that apply the moment you install or upgrade to Vista provide you with a smooth experience.

Is the interface different? Oh yea. Is it bad? Is it slow? No. It's fine. Vista runs only SLIGHTLY slower on an older PC with a Pentium III chip or older but why wouldn't you expect that? You can't get more features AND more power and expect a faster machine when your hardware is getting along in the years.

In addition, if you simply don't understand the nature of Vista, then you haven't yet read Greg Perry's "Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows Vista All in One" (Amazon 978-0672328893) and frankly, this is hands-down the best way for a newcomer - even if you are or are not comfortable with XP - to master EVERYthing you REALLY need to know about Vista.

Software is not always obvious. That does not mean it's bad or difficult to use or requires a huge learning curve. Once you get Vista, beg or borrow or buy "Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows Vista All in One" and you will be ready to become a MASTER at the product. I went through what YOU are going through and I know most Vista books and sites DO NOT give you what you need to make this product work well FOR YOU. This book does and I've read all the top-selling Vista books.

Now I don't care if you get "Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows Vista All in One" or not, although you should, but you need to stop listening to the hype of those who have axes to grind with Microsoft. If you want to move FORWARD with your computer you need to have the juice needed which means a moderately recent PC and you need Vista.

The number one reason for getting Ultimate and not a lower Vista product is the BitLocker encryption technology and the ability to make a ghosted image of your disk drive that Vista can restore. If you've used Symantec's DriveImage or Ghost products then you know these alone can run you more than $50. It's thrown in with Vista Ultimate and you'll REALLY use these tools a lot.

When Microsoft says this is an upgrade, that's exactly what it is. Unless you are an advanced user, forget clean installs; also, do not think you can install this on one machine, uninstall it, and then install it on another. Microsoft has changed the rules. Overall the interface is beautiful. There are some glitchy problems with the windows update feature. Many of your software programs will require upgrade due to incompatibility. The bottom line? Do your homework before upgrading.

this sucks. NO compatibilty slow and it freezes even though my computer is brand new and waayy more than required to run vista.

dont do it!