Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

It was more than five years ago that Microsoft released Windows XP, and on January 30th, 2007 Microsoft is launching Vista, the latest operating system in the Windows family. The most notable improvement is the development of Windows Aero (Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, Open); a new graphical interface and visual style featuring eye candy such as window transparencies and animations. Other new features include tightly integrated search and a Windows Sidebar as a space to put desktop gadgets like a clock, calendar, weather, RSS, and other small applets.

Where to Buy

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition
MSRP $380.00
Release date January, 2007
Brand --
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have it
tag it
Pros & Cons24
Reviews43
Details
Buy It
Competitors7
Comments9
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
40 reviews
34
negative
mixed
positive
12 positive
2 mixed
26 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Offers DX10 capabilities for the latest in gaming graphics
+12agreedisagree

•
Provides commercial-grade encryption, bit locking, and nifty Windows Extras
+5agreedisagree

•
desktop widgets such as calendar, clock etc
+4agreedisagree

•
stabler and securer naturally out of box than xp stats proven elsewhere.
+3agreedisagree

•
Cool new look
+3agreedisagree

•
Cheap for university students via Ultimatesteal.ca - $70 CAD
+2agreedisagree

•
When installed correctly it runs faster than XP
-1agreedisagree

•
Simple installation
-1agreedisagree

•
Very secure
-2agreedisagree

•
Stable
-2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Requires a powerful PC with lots of RAM.
+23agreedisagree

•
It's not as innovative as they always say
+13agreedisagree

•
asks for too many confirmations when performing routine tasks
+12agreedisagree

•
Vista Ultimate version was vaporware, no worthwhile extras came out to justify the premium
+12agreedisagree

•
3 times as expensive as OSX
+10agreedisagree

•
Has major DRM issues
+8agreedisagree

•
Not suitable for musicians as Aero introduces latency issues with ASIO. Focus on consumer => graphics, graphics, graphics and not much else
+8agreedisagree

•
Lack of Backwards Compatibility (Legacy Drivers)
+7agreedisagree

•
Slower than WinXP
+2agreedisagree

•
bad security, and the operating system in general is bloated and slow: (not worth the money at all)
+1agreedisagree

•
Runs slowly and crashes too much
0agreedisagree

•
Unable to properly network with non-vista (ie XP) computers
-1agreedisagree

•
sucks big time
-4agreedisagree

•
Lacking innovation - old XP with a new look
-7agreedisagree


46 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Submit a link

Articles

• Clearification: Demetri Martin's Vista campaign

written by Erik Jan 31, 07

• The launch of Windows Vista, what does it mean for you?

written by Omar Jan 30, 07

• Windows Vista Videos

written by Erik Jan 30, 07

This report was started May 8, 2006 at 11:17 am by Erik
with the last edit occurring July 1, 2009 at 2:57 am by fractalhorizon
This page has been viewed 3571 times, with 606 edits by 58 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate is ranked 3rd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Operating Systems »
Microsoft Windows 7 Release Candidate

Microsoft Windows 7 Release Candidate

MSRP  $0.00    Released  January, 2009
Pros
  • Performace strips both XP and Vista
  • Improved Visuals
  • Improved Wifi Config
Cons
  • Only one Workspace
  • Random Program Shut-downs. No help from the error messages provided.
  • task manager and start menu cannot be replaced with an older version
ProSCORE
6 reviews
87
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 0% vs. vote Microsoft Windows 7 Release Candidate 100%
Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon"

Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon"

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --
Pros
  • Free and open-source.
  • Easy to install
Cons
  • Older release
  • Only supported until April 2009.
ProSCORE
1 review
50
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 0% vs. vote Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon" 100%
Mac OS X Leopard

Mac OS X Leopard

MSRP  $129.00    Released  October, 2007
Pros
  • Improved Spotlight UI & performance
  • Screen sharing for controlling other machines remotely
  • Spaces for virtual desktop management
Cons
  • No more Classic support for PowerPC Macs
  • Runs games a little slower
  • More prone to security attacks, which has been proved
ProSCORE
39 reviews
70
Vote! (24 votes)
vote Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 38% vs. vote Mac OS X Leopard 62%
Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 "Etch"

Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 "Etch"

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --

Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 "Etch" is the 9th release, and current oldstable version of Debian GNU/Linux. It is supported until one year after the next release, which happened in February 2009. Etch can be ran with either KDE, GNOME, or Xfce as the default GUI. It can also be ran with no GUI whatsoever, and...

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (4 votes)
vote Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 50% vs. vote Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 "Etch" 50%
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

MSRP  $239.00    Released  January, 2007
Pros
  • GUI looks pretty fancy
  • User friendly
  • High security
Cons
  • Takes up a lot of background resources for gamers making games almost unplayable at high graphics
  • Lacks some of the best features of the system in this version
  • A crippled version of the OS at an incredibly high price
ProSCORE
15 reviews
54
Vote! (10 votes)
vote Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 100% vs. vote Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 0%
Microsoft Windows Vista Business

Microsoft Windows Vista Business

MSRP  $299.00    Released  January, 2007
Pros
  • It is stable < IT IS
  • Secure
Cons
  • if people cant afford decant pcs it cant be used
ProSCORE
1 review
67
Vote! (7 votes)
vote Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 100% vs. vote Microsoft Windows Vista Business 0%
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic

MSRP  $199.00    Released  January, 2007

From Wikipedia: Similar to Windows XP Home Edition, Home Basic is intended for budget users not requiring advanced media support for home use. The Windows Aero theme with translucent effects will not be included with this edition. 64-bit Home Basic will support up to 8 GB of physical memory, and will be supported until...

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (6 votes)
vote Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 100% vs. vote Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 0%

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Comments

22 taps
show more
1.  avatar starbuck93 said:

You can get the Beta off this website: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx It's not the best, yet, but it is still good.
Oct 15, 2006 4:01pm
2.  avatar rolandoperalta said:

It's amazing! You have to try it!!
Dec 26, 2006 1:06pm
3.  avatar Erik said:

I don't know about you, I don't think I'm about to rush out to upgrade. I think I'll wait for the tidal wave of Vista reviews and press to to come and go first.
Jan 29, 2007 9:39pm
4.  avatar Whipdaddy said:

Hilarious, I too will wait until SP2 comes out before switching to Vista.
Jan 30, 2007 2:34am
5.  avatar maddmannmatt said:

HEY, LOOK! It's Micro$oft OS X! But one that actually sucks. Yeah. Buy a Mac and save yourself tons of headaches.
Sep 07, 2007 11:03am
6.  avatar Omar said:

Well, Windows XP sucked when it first came out too. Vista will only get better with time as the new service packs come out. Vista is a new base to work off of and while it's pretty bad now, I'm willing to see where it goes. Remember, when OSX first came out it has its own set of problems. But Apple created a new framework to start from, and now it's very good. Vista is similar to OSX in more ways than one.
Sep 07, 2007 11:32am
7.  avatar Trancebear said:

Most people who complain of this OS doen't even have it. If you don't have an up to date computer then don't install it, keep using XP, which is also a great OS. New technologies require beefy components as with all electronics. Would you use 10 year old Cerwin Vega speakers with a new Carver THX amp? No, it doesn't make sense. I have had this OS installed since day one and have had zero problems and only have to re-boot for other reasons, not the OS. Just because you are a MAC guy/gal doesn't mean it is OK to trash talk an OS you may have little experiance with.
Mar 18, 2008 11:47pm
8.  avatar kdm said:

Who wrote those Pros ??? Someone from Microsoft I am betting! :-)

Vista is NOT stable !!!
In fact, it is the weakest OS I have ever used.
It attempted to copy the best bits of Mac OS & Linux - and did it really poorly !!!

If you are a novice computer user then Vista may well serve your purpose, but if you attempt to progress to moderate or even advanced tasks, then Vista will more than likely hinder rather than help you !!!
In addition, there are some really dubious features built into this OS that really shouldn't be there.. (e.g. see http://badvista.fsf.org/ !!!)
I had the ultimate edition and I ended up taking it off my laptop because it was so poor.
Dec 10, 2008 4:44pm
9.  avatar Erik said:

Here's who voted/wrote the pros and cons:

http://www.productwiki.com/microsoft-windows-vista-ultimate/main/cr_mode_1/#pros_cons

I take it you don't like Vista :P
Dec 10, 2008 4:49pm
Some HTML is allowed. Your comments remain editable after you post..

Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

iambored8907

avatar
May 28, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
have ithave it
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Offers DX10 capabilities for the latest in gaming graphics
  • Provides commercial-grade encryption, bit locking, and nifty Windows Extras
  • desktop widgets such as calendar, clock etc
  • When installed correctly it runs faster than XP

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Midwinter

avatar
May 15, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
1 con
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Offers DX10 capabilities for the latest in gaming graphics
  • Provides commercial-grade encryption, bit locking, and nifty Windows Extras
  • When installed correctly it runs faster than XP

Cons

  • Requires a powerful PC with lots of RAM.

Competitors

Midwinter prefers Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate over Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

kayleech

avatar
April 3, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
4 cons
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Requires a powerful PC with lots of RAM.
  • It's not as innovative as they always say
  • Has major DRM issues
  • Lacking innovation - old XP with a new look

Competitors

kayleech prefers Mac OS X Leopard over Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

eviltwin

avatar
March 28, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Has major DRM issues

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Omar

avatar
March 26, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Requires a powerful PC with lots of RAM.

Comments

"Well, Windows XP sucked when it first came out too. Vista will only get better with time as the new service packs come out. Vista is a new base to work off of and while it's pretty bad now, I'm willing to see where it goes. Remember, when OSX first came out it has its own set of problems. But Apple created a new framework to start from, and now it's very good. Vista is similar to OSX in more ways than one."

Competitors

Omar prefers Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate over Mac OS X Leopard
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

lonehunter

avatar
January 14, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
12 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Requires a powerful PC with lots of RAM.
  • It's not as innovative as they always say
  • asks for too many confirmations when performing routine tasks
  • Vista Ultimate version was vaporware, no worthwhile extras came out to justify the premium
  • 3 times as expensive as OSX
  • Has major DRM issues
  • Not suitable for musicians as Aero introduces latency issues with ASIO. Focus on consumer => graphics, graphics, graphics and not much else
  • Lack of Backwards Compatibility (Legacy Drivers)
  • Slower than WinXP
  • bad security, and the operating system in general is bloated and slow: (not worth the money at all)
  • sucks big time
  • Lacking innovation - old XP with a new look

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

ssurno

avatar
January 7, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
12 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Requires a powerful PC with lots of RAM.
  • It's not as innovative as they always say
  • asks for too many confirmations when performing routine tasks
  • Vista Ultimate version was vaporware, no worthwhile extras came out to justify the premium
  • 3 times as expensive as OSX
  • Has major DRM issues
  • Not suitable for musicians as Aero introduces latency issues with ASIO. Focus on consumer => graphics, graphics, graphics and not much else
  • Lack of Backwards Compatibility (Legacy Drivers)
  • Slower than WinXP
  • bad security, and the operating system in general is bloated and slow: (not worth the money at all)
  • sucks big time
  • Lacking innovation - old XP with a new look

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

phenix1819

avatar
June 6, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
82
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • Offers DX10 capabilities for the latest in gaming graphics
  • Provides commercial-grade encryption, bit locking, and nifty Windows Extras
  • desktop widgets such as calendar, clock etc
  • stabler and securer naturally out of box than xp stats proven elsewhere.
  • Cool new look
  • When installed correctly it runs faster than XP
  • Simple installation
  • Very secure
  • Stable

Cons

  • asks for too many confirmations when performing routine tasks
  • Vista Ultimate version was vaporware, no worthwhile extras came out to justify the premium

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Master2k27

avatar
June 30, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
10 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • Offers DX10 capabilities for the latest in gaming graphics
  • Provides commercial-grade encryption, bit locking, and nifty Windows Extras
  • desktop widgets such as calendar, clock etc
  • stabler and securer naturally out of box than xp stats proven elsewhere.
  • Cool new look
  • Cheap for university students via Ultimatesteal.ca - $70 CAD
  • When installed correctly it runs faster than XP
  • Simple installation
  • Very secure
  • Stable

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Nx

avatar
April 23, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
10 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Requires a powerful PC with lots of RAM.
  • It's not as innovative as they always say
  • asks for too many confirmations when performing routine tasks
  • Vista Ultimate version was vaporware, no worthwhile extras came out to justify the premium
  • 3 times as expensive as OSX
  • Has major DRM issues
  • Not suitable for musicians as Aero introduces latency issues with ASIO. Focus on consumer => graphics, graphics, graphics and not much else
  • Slower than WinXP
  • bad security, and the operating system in general is bloated and slow: (not worth the money at all)
  • Unable to properly network with non-vista (ie XP) computers

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
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