Decaflon Thread: Will you ever pay for Vista?

Will you ever pay for Vista?

RightOn — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:23:44

Knysha, that's why you custom mail order or keep an XP cd nearby for the new box.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

cooper — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:26:52

Just using it is so painful it's payment enough.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

knysha — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:20:54

@RightOn - yeah, that's comfortable situation. As normal client for computer stores (i'm talking about Poland), you have to buy an laptop/pc with Vista - about 1% of offered now computers have XP in package :U

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Scrivs — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:02:14

Well that says it all right there.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

RightOn — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:24:43

Never!!!! HAHAHAHAHA! Even new boxes we order @ work are ordered with XP on them.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

knysha — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:31:18

10 minutes with Vista were enough for me to put an XP installation disc in dvd-rom.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Scrivs — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:18:39

This question holds even more relevance now that it has been proven you can't make a worse operating system. SP1? Please.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:24:39

Just about everyone I know downloads on torrent. So i'd say for sure that they won't ever pay for it. Me on the other hand, i'm gunna wait for a year and buy it when all of the hardware and driver issues are resolved. Then i'll buy the upgrade and do the upgrade trick.

for peeps who don't know it. You install the upgrade as a clean installation. Windows will then ask for a key but it won't work because it wants a "full" windows key. Forget that, you re-install the upgrade over the original upgrade, and then it asks for the upgrade key, and then it works. For people who are worried about upgrading and stuff, it doesn't actually change any files because they already exist on the system. Microsoft already know about this and have said it's fine as long as you have a previous version of XP.

So instead of spending £250, I can spend £150

Will you ever pay for Vista?

eternalsword — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:53:11

Ubuntu for me with fluxbox. I'll be getting a free Vista key from my college, but I doubt I'll use it. Vista doesn't provide anything new that I want or need. I have a legitimate copy of XP that I could use if I wished, but even XP is a little bloated in terms of gui resources, and it's not even that good looking. I want functionality, not useless eye-candy.

Some eye-candy is necessary, since I'm staring at the screen several hours a day, but that's more to do with colors than 3-D effects, and the resource friendly fluxbox does just that with a little bit of gtk theming mixed in. Even in ubuntu, I moved away from using Gnome because it was using up system resources just sitting there, even though I basically get the same look and feel in fluxbox without the use of those resources. I do my file management from the terminal, so I have no need for fancy icons or anything of that nature.

I'm not a gamer, so I don't need directx or anything 3-D, and I'm not a professional artist, so the gimp is fine for me. With Microsoft finally getting their act together with web standards (for the most part), I'll give them credit for that much, I doubt it will be very necessary to check how things look in any ie greater than 7 (when Microsoft stops upgrading ie on older systems) and since I am able to use my older Windows XP box to check my designs on ie 5, 5.5, 6, and 7, I highly doubt I'll ever purchase another version of Windows ever again.

I kind of have the feeling that Microsoft is focusing too much on xbox360/premium content/eye-candy to the detriment of functionality improvements. Point in case, they are already in planning for VistaSP1 with the additional load of having promised Vienna will be out the door in two and a half years. I will re-evaluate my stance on Microsoft Windows when Vienna comes out, because that will take place before my next hardware upgrade. Perhaps Vienna will be the XP to Vista's ME, but I won't keep my hopes up (on it coming out as scheduled and it being an improvement).

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Oli — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:44:02

One reason all XP users should upgrade to Vista: Zombies.

Do you realise how many zombied XP PCs there are on the Internet? Analysts put the figure at somewhere between 30% and 50% of home computers. In other words: a shitload.

Now I'm not saying Vista is completely user-proof (in that people can still install crapware if they want to) but they get a fresh start.

I'm not saying that Vista is their *only* choice but people *should* move off XP. It's in everybody's best interest.

My wife has [...] decided to switch to mac when her current pc is getting to old or she can't run the latest games.

So she can play none of the latest games? Gaming is one of Windows' best arguments.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Ozone42 — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 03:54:14

Alday, what are you springing for? What benefits do you get out of the cost? I was sick of microsoft years ago I'll admit, but I'm having a very hard time seeing a reason for anyone to upgrade.

My wife has been a staunch MS supporter and she's already decided to switch to mac when her current pc is getting to old or she can't run the latest games.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Stuart — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 03:38:29

Is it just me or did it just get smugger in here?

Will you ever pay for Vista?

xs5 — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 03:20:09

<img src="http://www.jeffwu.net/uploads/maclogo.gif" alt="MACS"/>
Enough said.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Alday — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:21:26

I switched to a not so legal copy of Home Premium this week and gotta say it's not too bad. I think I'll actually spring for a copy of Ultimate within the next month or so.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Ozone42 — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:51:19

I've had some time to sit down with Vista a few times now.

The wow starts now? Where? This is XP with a marginally improved UI, annoying and not helpful "security," and one mildly clever video effect.

For those of you paying the upgrade cost, I've got to ask why? I don't see any benefit to it, just broken compatibility with existing apps and drivers until 3rd party people catch up.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

winnopeg — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:27:31

I might buy a copy, in a year or so. Just so that I can dual boot it on my PC and chuck my Compaq in the trash.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

anime_miz — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:10:46

I might pay for Vista.. but still quite confused by it.. so I'm hesitating on upgrading.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

kristin — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:33:20

Yay steven got logged in.

I've never paid for a copy of windows.. and I used it for YEARS. I just switched to mac abot 3 months ago.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

StevenCampbell — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:19:24

I'm using Linux right now (after using Windows XP for a really long time), but I plan to switch to Mac when I have the money. Most of my friends use PC's though, and will be switching to Vista. They seem very excited about it. I, personally, would rather have a Mac.

On the other hand, Vista does look pretty sharp. But looks isn't everything.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

steffanwilliams — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:26:11

To update my answer - yes I would pay for Vista, as I already have. I bought the OEM version of Ultimate. £120 wasn't too bad for Ultimate, especially seeing how much the retail version actually costs; which is something I would never pay for.

I've installed it via Boot Camp on my new iMac. Finally I can do all my website testing without having to have a separate PC around.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

aidan_1986 — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:04:45

I will pay for it however I will not be getting it immediately; I would rather wait as I would be concerned for the security threats to begin with. Obviously it will always be a target, just like XP has been but there will be more security worries / threats at the beginning.
However, if I get the opportunity to buy a Mac during that time I will do just that.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

chapstick — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:59:23

phantomdata wrote:

chapstick; Being a PC Gamer... you should hold off no buying Vista. It's /terrible/ for games. Sure, one or two games may come out in two years using DX10 - but for now - stick with XP. For instance, BF2 can run on full-detail settings without a hiccup on one of my boxes. The same box with Vista RTM on it could barely run it on low - even after I tweaked and removed all the extra garbage.

Not if you have an ATI card. Right now ATI's Vista drivers are perfect. There is little to no difference between games on XP vs Vista. Nvidia on the other hand is having some performance issues with their Vista drivers. But this isn't an issue with Vista, it's an issue with Nvidia.

Vista's overall performance is better than XP's (if you have the hardware). Since I'm a PC gamer, I DO have the hardware. But I got the hardware for the games, not for the OS.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

CK — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:51:33

I moved from 200 after my new router hardware wasn't compatible.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

a_romig — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:45:56

Vista? I'm still running Windows 2000. Heck, I finally installed that in 2002. I figured why fix what's not broken. I honestly don't need any of their new features. Of course my computer couldn't run it well anyway. 1.33GHz w/ 512MB isn't going to cut it. I'm either lazy or just personally low-tech.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

CK — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:52:28

I've been running the RTM for a fair old while now within incident or a single error message. The driver support is a lot more comprehensive than previous builds (5456, 5308 - I'm looking at you!).

Games are running on it fine and I'm loving the extra functionality. That said, Vista Ultimate is filled with a host of thing's I'll never need to use and there's no option to uninstall them individually.

People who are using XP are right, however. In terms of gaming there is no requirement to change OS just yet. DX10 games will not be out for a while and the graphics card will be rather expensive. It really is best to hold out for a small while until all niggles are ironed out on all levels.

As for whether I'd pay. No. It's very expensive for what it is and what it offers. Consider the naughty work-around allowing a full install from the cheaper Upgrade DVDs.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

weefz — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:01:16

@dreamweaver
Thanks. Yep, I've done the same. As long as they don't suddenly start enforcing the motherboard rule for Vista, I'll be fine.

With the amount of stuff I need to change on my next upgrade I'll probably just wind up getting a store-assembled PC that comes with Vista next year. I don't want to re-purchase Vista 18 months later.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

shrikant — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:04:51

Win XP SP2 was what screwed everything up.

It started with driver incompatibility issues and the resulting BSOD, and it was all downhill from there on.

SP1 was good. I am still on SP1 and apart from the long list of patches in my Add/Remove Programs list (which I positively hate; I like my interfaces clean), the performance is still pretty cool.

Win XP has handled a lot of abuse from me, and it has behaved remarkably well, much unlike the spoilt brats that the other previous Windows versions were...

Now if only someone could price it right...

My $0.02 worth.

Cheers.
Shri.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

zkatkin — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 07:53:24

lol, avoid vista, I heard it has razor sharp claws that have been dipped in poison and it can smell fear...

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Ozone42 — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 04:59:21

I know at least 4 people who have switched to mac in the last couple months because of not being interested in Vista. Strange no? They didn't need to switch to mac to avoid vista, they could've run their XP boxes for probably years to come.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

dreamweaver — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 02:55:59

@Weefz: I installed a new mainboard in my PC a few months back, and had no trouble (re)activating my previous copy of XP. When I tried to activate after the new mainboard install, XP gave me a number to call, I explained the situation and they gave me an activation code, no problem. I can't imagine Vista would be any different.

As to the original question, my two cents: if it ain't completely broke, don't fix it. XP works fine most of the time (if you buy a retail version without all the extra crap that OEM versions have built into them anyway) for me, and until I either buy a new computer that comes with it (possible, but not soon), or one of my critical pieces of software won't run without it (not likely), I won't be buying Vista. When either of those things happen, I may be forced to buy a retail copy, but not before.

Really, I haven't found XP to be any more stable than any other previous incarnation of Windows, so why would Vista be any different or better? I'd rather MS spent time and money making XP more stable than making Vista pretty. Who needs pretty? Give me functional. I'm beginning to think I need a Mac.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

teeming — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:09:43

I'll never buy a new copy of OS Windows Vista. But I don't mind getting a new PC with Windows Vista in it.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

zkatkin — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 06:14:41

I purchased a copy of XP. I was looking at Oli's comparison of Vista retail to Vista OEM and am pretty shocked by the prices, so I'm not sure. I used one of the rc version of Vista and it's pretty much OS X, just not as pretty, so maybe I should just get a Mac? Scrivs, if you don't use a PC what do you use?

Will you ever pay for Vista?

michaellouviere — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:20:19

Alday:

Yea you are right to an extent. Microsoft does claim this every-time around, I do believe this time is going to be a little different. SOME of the cracked releases are great. Most don't work especially the WGA fixes, They still don't validate and MS is looking for valid Keys. Now if Vista's key doesn't validate, Vista will stop working all together, It will be interesting to see how the cracking community will find a way around this, I'm sure they will, but it is going to create a LOT of annoyances for users running Pirated versions of Vista. One thing about MS and their previous versions of Windows is it really takes them years to actually finalize it thanks to "Service Packs" These are going to be unobtainable through MS with Pirated versions of MS and the cracked versions might install, but Vista is developed to recognize them and stop working. It just seems like a cycle of annoyances not worth under the 200$ price tag for the ultimate version of Vista. Not to mention pirated MS apps like Office are developed to stop working under vista as well.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

stereoroid — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:43:01

Probably not. I work for a company with a volume license, so I had it on my work notebook a month ago, though I have temporarily reverted to XP for compatibility reasons. We have hardware security keys that need drivers to work, and I couldn't get mine going at all, though others have, I hear.

One thing I really like about Vista is the Start bar, which is actually more friendly to someone like me who types commands. Hit the Windows key, start typing, and it tries to complete the command for you, which you can ignore if you choose.

The license allows for use on PCs used for work, so I'm using the 64-bit version here at home under that rule. But I also have a Linux installation as a backup. (64Studio with more Debian Etch applications.)

Will you ever pay for Vista?

publicenergy — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:25:42

I paid for an OEM Home Premium 64bit version from Overclockers in the UK (£70). I was using XP Pro before hand. I love it.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Karura — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 02:53:04

I wouldn't pay to upgrade a computer that was running XP (especially as my current laptop doesn't have the specs to run Vista), but I guess it'll enter my life if I end up buying a computer that has it pre-installed someday...

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Alday — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 02:52:29

That's all the same crap they said about XP and WGA too. It gets cracked and it works fine. Who cares if you can't get the "critical updates" the day they come out, the service pack will eventually be cracked, slipstreamed into a new Vista ISO and released within a week. People really underestimate the skill in the cracking community.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Ozone42 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 02:47:28

Solidarity!

Will you ever pay for Vista?

michaellouviere — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 02:39:41

From what I read, Vista is going to be pretty hard to "Pirate", pirated XP versions are already difficult to update to the point where Microsoft requires the installation of the GDI Tool, even with the Microsoft Windows Validation cracks floating around they still don't work when it comes to Microsoft validation your KEY, The only way to install IE7 and WMP11 on a Pirated Version of XP is to download a cracked version from a torrent site or IRC and risk the chance of packaged Viruses/Spyware that are ever growing in these distros. Vista is going to be the same way, except for they will include a requirement for KEY validations to obtain all quick fixes and service packs, good luck with those pirated versions of Vista, Better hope you aren't sharing a Key that Microsoft reveals as exploited.

Read: PC World's Article on the Uselessness of Pirated Vista.

Just one of the MANY sites exlcuding Microsoft's own that explains in more detail.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

phantomdata — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:26:34

I bought XP once... then upgraded my PC a few too many times for India. She told me that I could no longer activate... I haven't bought another MS product since.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

stefani — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:08:07

It IS very pretty and ditto with Josue, I got the hookup....

Will you ever pay for Vista?

weefz — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:50:05

I was all ready to buy an OEM version until I found out that a new motherboard is considered a new PC.

Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer.

From PCMag forums. The original Microsoft FAQ source seems to require Microsoft Partner registration of some kind.

Does anyone know if this is enforced? Earlier in the forum thread, EliteKiller says that the restriction was also in the EULA for XP but in practice the activation reps never asked.

I'm not buying Vista unless I know I can upgrade my motherboard without having to buy a new copy.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Josue — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:39:54

Well I got it illegally, so I don't need to buy it.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

steffanwilliams — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:34:10

Just purely out of interest, I found this website selling the various Vista packages:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=33&catid=20

I'm in the UK so all the prices are in pound sterling. Has anyone found a cheaper OEM version, as I'd quite like to pick up a copy..?

By the way, to clarify an earlier point.. I do love my Mac, I just use XP for testing of websites in IE6/7 and to play some games with friends. I'm a Mac user really... honest! Heh.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

anadgouda — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:27:47

I do not see any point in spending money on it or on additional hardware for it. Especially since I am already using Kubuntu :-)

Will you ever pay for Vista?

steffanwilliams — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:26:12

I've just installed XP on my new iMac (which I bought a couple of weeks back).

I'll be upgrading to Vista Ultimate when I pick up an OEM version. I'm definitely not paying full retail price. I figure I may as well buy it - the operating system is pretty much the only software I want completely legitimate and fully functioning even if I do "pirate" other pieces of software.

Just my logic though... Hehe.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Alvinz — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:20:31

That's what mates are for. I know it's cheap, but sharing IS caring :D

Will you ever pay for Vista?

JPhill — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:49:04

I definitely will not buying Vista. I'll probably get it in a month or so when I have an Intel Mac just to try it out. I've heard that it's good and all, but nothing I've heard makes me want to rush out and buy it.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:37:24

I don't even want it, but I guess - in the long run, with hardware manufacturers jumping on board - it can't be avoided.

I usually get a free copy ... I'll wait for that and, as usual, I'll shelve it until the time comes when my masochistic tendencies (re)surface (once or twice a year). Probably the best time to install it.

Will you ever pay for Vista?

RalphDagza — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:31:41

what is vista? ;)