Windows Vista available at Costco

[Caslon]

Just a heads up for anyone interested.

Costco Vista - Vista

[NavalLord]

Minimum System Requirements:

• Processor
  1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor
• Memory
  1 GB of system memory
• Display
  *Windows Aero-capable graphics card
• Video
  128 MB of graphics memory
• Hard Disk
  40-GB hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space (the 15 GB of free space provides room for temporary file storage during the install or upgrade.)
• Drive
  Internal or external DVD drive
• Other
  Internet access capability
  Audio output capability

*A Windows Aero-capable graphics card is a graphics card that meets the following requirements:

• Supports a Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver
• Has a DirectX 9-class graphics processor unit (GPU) that supports Pixel Shader 2.0
• Supports 32 bits per pixel
• Passes the Windows Aero acceptance test in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK)

That is completely insane for an operating system specs.

[grim reaper]

Not really, anyway you can run it on much worse specs than that if you don't want the crummy Aero interface.

[mrhahn]

It runs on my laptop (core duo 1.66Ghz, 1GB ram, really crappy on-board graphics card) fine - no jerkiness. If anything, it seems to run better than XP. I'm just pissed I left my memory stick at home, I wanted to try that thing where it uses it for virtual memory.

Runs on a friend's laptop which is the same, but with only 512MB of ram too, and still looks fine. I think the whole "you need a 4Ghz CPU and 6GB of RAM and a 4GB GPU" thing is just FUD.

[NavalLord]

But if it does run fine on lower specs, why is Microsoft telling everyone that they need a hardcore system?

[grim reaper]

Recommended minimum hardware requirements for Windows Vista:
The following list describes the recommended minimum hardware requirements for basic functionality of the different editions of Windows Vista. Actual hardware requirements will vary, depending on system configuration and on the programs and the features that you install. If you install Windows Vista over a network, additional hard disk space may be required.

Its essentially the recommended specs. You can run it on a slower system with some of the special effects turned off.

[NavalLord]

I still say it's gay. Mac OS X is much better. Never had a problem. Kook will back me up, because you Microsoft lovers will jump all over me.

[grim reaper]

Originally Posted by NavalLord

I still say it's gay. Mac OS X is much better. Never had a problem. Kook will back me up, because you Microsoft lovers will jump all over me.

So good, it doesn't even run most programs! Or games!

[NavalLord]

And you know this how? Through hundreds of hours of use, or just your own misguided, untested beliefs?

[grim reaper]

Through the hundreds of pieces of software that I have bought that all say PC DVD or PC CD on.

Also, the fact that the town I live in has 5 shops dedicated to PC and Console gaming. Whereas the apple store has two shelves of games, most of them several years old.

[NavalLord]

First off, many people who own Apples don't use them solely for gaming. They have jobs and work and need something reliable. Computers can more more than just game. Also, many software is made for PC and Mac, either being two different versions, or being able to use the same on for both. So since you are a PC owner and only shop for PC items, you wouldn't notice the Mac ones. It works the same way with everything else. I'm straight, so when I shop for things I look for what straight people would want. Whereas you're gay, so you would prefer things like dildos and tight leather pants and things of that sort.

[grim reaper]

The point still remains that while Macs are perfectly capable at doing ordinary stuff a Windows or Linux based PC can do it cheaper and quicker.

The only thing that I concede Macs are good at is image and video manipulation due to their excellent handling of colour standards. Apart from that I see no reason to own one. Asides from the elitist status that Mac users are all too fond of displaying to the world.

[NavalLord]

The elite status being the one where you don't lose you paper at 3am after spending the last 5 hours working on it, and it's due at 8am. Yea, I can see why someone wouldn't want that.
And as far as PCs doing stuff faster... um, that's just an outright no. Maybe with your uber machine might, but some of us don't spend all our money updating it every week. So in that sense, every mac I've used has been faster than every PC of the era.
You have outwardly said that you never use macs, so how would you come to know all these things that you claim? I hope the hell you're not stating this from some magazine or online article you've read. Because if you haven't actually tried it yourself, and used it on a day to day basis, you don't have an opinion, you're just stating someone else's.

[kook]

Originally Posted by grim reaper

Through the hundreds of pieces of software that I have bought that all say PC DVD or PC CD on.

haha, what a fallacy. much like saying everyone speaks english because all the books you buy are in english. ???

anyhow. macs do alot of things windows counterparts fail at, such as: hardware working on installation (which is to be expected in a closed environment), shit looking good and the lack of OS crashes.

The nice thing about my new MBP is not having an OS crashing on me. Not having to worry about virus (not because im proof, just because a million other idiots got vista instead), and having something that hasnt been declared an unfinished product after a majorly publicized release (cough, vista, cough, XP).

I didnt have to activate. I didn't have to try to equip my PEECEE with pirated software to side step activation on my legit software purchase.. and I dont have this thing ringing home all day long, to check on my software purchase.

MSFT makes some good software, hell, mac office is the largest selling title on the mac..although its waaay better on mac then its pc version.

Truth be told, macs have their fair share of issues. Wireless gives me a headache because it keeps forgetting my password, or telling me that I have encountered some error (generic error message, my buddys pc laptop had same issues but he knew why). I don't like the file manager, and iphoto gets shined out by Picasa (googles photo manager program).

Oh yeah, and I heard one of those apple guys telling some kid that limewire corrupts your mac. HAHA looks like profits skewed the apple inc thought process.

ps: itunes music store sucks. those AAC files are a load of rubbish.

to each his own

[grim reaper]

anyhow. macs do alot of things windows counterparts fail at, such as: hardware working on installation (which is to be expected in a closed environment), shit looking good and the lack of OS crashes.

Just to pick up on a few points. By the aesthetics comments I assume you mean the cool interface which Aero imitates. While its all very nice looking I fail to see how it increases productivity. It just seems like a waste of resources which is why I intend to turn it off.

The other points you mention are a double edged sword. While Mac may be work out of the box as such that it how they are going to stay. The upgrade paths are limited to say the least.

Some people may like Macs, its personal choice. But in my opinion its people paying a considerable amount more for a product that is less functional just so they can be different.

[Caslon]

Planning on buying an upgrade version of Vista? Think again.
Personally, I plan on buying the full version as I had some issues going from windows 98 to XP (upgrade version).

Vista "upgrade" drops compliance checking, requires old OS to install

1/28/2007 3:11