Audio/Video, Computers, CES 2009
Is Microsoft Dumping Vista?

Windows 7
- Faster boot time and performance.
- An improved task bar that is a little reminiscent of the OS X dock at the bottom of the desktop screen.
- Jumplists -- which reveal recently opened documents, Web pages, and common tasks when you right click on an app in the task bar.
- Improved networking, which will make setting up streaming media between devices simpler. It will also let you tell one computer to stream media from another computer to a third device like an Xbox or a Roku
- Windows 7 will also get a public beta, starting January 9, so consumers will be able to try out the new operating system. This a first for any Microsoft OS.
Window Live Services
- Partnership with Facebook that will sync LiveSpaces accounts with Facebook accounts, making Microsoft's social networking site more relevant!
- Useful search side bar in Live Hotmail that minimizes the need for switching tabs.
- Live Messenger is adding dynamic buddy icons that update according to the emoticons you use.
Internet Explorer 8
- Accelerators that add common tasks to the right click menu so you can translate text, define a word, or look up info on IMDB or Wikipedia without opening a new tab or window
Xbox 360
- Two new 'Halo' titles -- 'Halo Wars' a real time strategy game, and 'Halo 3 ODST' a more traditional 'Halo' experience.
- Xbox Live Primetime Events -- live online events that players around the world can participate in, including '1 Vs. 100' an online game show
- Kodu -- a game creation tool for kids that lets them publish their creations to the community channel
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 22)
Dave said 2:24PM on 1-08-2009
Same crap different package, Get a Mac and you'll know it work just like your ipod does
Reply
jeff said 2:28PM on 1-08-2009
VISTA is a terrible operating system and I only had it because it came in my new computer ... Microsoft should be required to give anyone in this situation a free copy of XP so they can replace vista! Vista doesn't work with half of my expensive programs for video editing, photography and runs slowly and constantly asks my permission for everything ... The only real reason Microsoft put out Vista was the only programs that run well on it like Office are made by Microsoft and this increases their market share ... But all Microsoft programs are way overpriced but you really have little choice since Apple is also so overpriced on their computers and PC manufacturers refuse to give us a choice like LINUX based operating systems when they ship them!!! or charge way more for this!
Reply
Jim said 2:48PM on 1-08-2009
I agree!! I loved XP. Had to buy a new PC and got stuck with Vista as my OS. Was disappointed to think that it was going to be an upgrade. At times I think I could get around using the old 3.1 version than Vista. Give us XP!!!!
JUDY B said 3:42PM on 1-08-2009
I agree with you 100%. I only have Windows Vista with my new PC.
I miss XP. It was much faster with dial-up. People should have a choice as to which system they would like to use.
vanessa said 6:41AM on 1-09-2009
thank you jeff.... i am in the same boat here...bought the emerson computer from wal mart and vista does stink... maybe they will hear us out here... my new computer is not worth the hassle....thank you for your output
taz temple said 4:19PM on 1-08-2009
THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I'VE HATED "VISTA" FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WHEN I BOUGHT MY NEW COMPUTER. DUMP IT, DUMP IT. GIVE ME A WAY TO UNDO THE "CRAP" THAT IT HAS CAUSED WITHOUT ME HAVING TO PAY FOR THE RESOLVE. TAKE ME BACK TO XP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melba said 4:21PM on 1-08-2009
I too bought a new pc and it came with Vista. I have never had so many issues in my life ! They should make this right with the people.
Chsdoodle2 said 4:38PM on 1-08-2009
Sadly I guess I am the only person who has to disagree. Asking for your permission? You can turn that off. Also I am heavy into gaming, I've had very few problems with my system, and it does not run slow. I am also a part-time photographer and I use photoshop, it does not run slow. Most likely your computer is so full of bloatware and unnecessary processes that you think that it is vistas fault (which is kind of is, but most of these problems you can fix in little time). I have cleaned up and fixed many of my friend "junk-vista-machines," and they are surprised at how much better it runs when you clean up your machine. Oh and get rid of Norton, you will gain a huge jump in performance.
Mike said 8:32PM on 1-08-2009
To put it politely " VISTA STINKS ". For 30 days I tried to use it and nearly had a nervous break-down. I rolled back to XP and the doctor told me " You'll be alright, it was just a bad nightmare that you've just had ". I agree with jeff " Microsoft should be required to give anyone in this situation a free copy of XP so they can replace Vista ". The other thing is that the Windows - Apple Bi-nopoly should end. We're heading into tough economic times. The first manufacturer that offers options of other Operating Systems, will take the lions share of sales. Mike.
sue said 4:45PM on 1-08-2009
Jeff;
May i ask u what program u use for your viedo editing?? I have pinnacle and had nothing but problems since having Vista, i didnt know i could transfer my previous program on to here, well i really couldnt but for some reason its reading my old program on here (vista) and i have a new software updated version.I have gone round and round with the makers of this and they have sent me software to down load ect ect 2 versions but for some reason again its still reading my old program, wont even let me run transfer contentw wizard i see the old program and only see for a sec and goes awaystill working with them! I am not used to this Vista at all i wish i had my xp!!!!!!!!!! I make slde shows with still and digital picsand put them on to a dvd with my own music.
Oh does anyone know how to add my i tunes to t his vista?? i have the 1st generation shuffle, my time has been spent with this program and i havent had time to go to my i tunes?
Hope to hear back from u soon
Jordan said 7:30PM on 1-08-2009
This is soooo true, Jeff! Please let me know when Microsoft takes care of us Vista Victims, okay? Thank you!
Pam said 5:12PM on 1-08-2009
I'll add another lonely voice in favor of Vista. Having run XP, XP Media and XP Professional for years, I was just plain sick of all the ubiquitous error messages and shutdowns for which ALL versions prior to Vista were so famous that the web jokes about them became part of our culture! I'm not a gamer. However, I am a photographer running and using two cameras, two printers, Adobe editing software, MS Office Professional (common use of Publisher & Access, especially), and I've not had any problems with any of them with Vista on this 11-month old Dell laptop. And, the thing I found most remarkable from the get-go was that virtually everything (new and old) I've plugged into Vista has run seamlessly...no need to go hunting for updated drivers and firmware. Oh..and one more thing...our two Zune MP3 players work GREAT on it. I'm not an Apple person.
lucy said 2:12AM on 1-09-2009
Nick
I don't know why you think that 99% of people who are talking about how terrible Vista is... are idiots. At least have the grace ot keep your mouth shut.
Mike said 5:38PM on 1-08-2009
I disagree ppl... Vista totally ROCKS!! . Why do i disagree? well, . Vista Supports 64bit Processing, Vista 64 lets you have 8 Gigs of ram & thirdly Vista has super cool graphics, DirectX 10. Money Money Money. I know. Right... Wrong, if you do your homwwork you can get all the right tools Necessary to run Vista64 for a great price. Me myself understand that anything corporate is a rip off. Such as H.P or Dell ect.. Why do i feel ther're a rip off?. Well Because its Corporate and you really dont get what you pay for, in return they sell you a slow machine its 32bit not enough ram, crappy vid card. to top things off the sales man doesn't really know what he's talking about, your the 50th person asking the same question. Do you think he really cares? Hello ppl you live in america. Build your own pc and get your money's worth. (Do your homework). I have, and its payed off. VISTA ROCKS. it needs to be 64bit. 4 gigs od ram and whatever video card you need and your experince. Thanks Bill gates for Making such a great o/s. Ohh and yes i have tried the Windows 7 beta. Its nothing Special. I went back to Vista64.
A8N32 SLI-deluxe Amd Athlon x's 2 64bit. 4600 2.4 ghz. (2.8ghz overclocked)
4Gigs of kingston ram. DDR400 Overclocked 480mhz
Sli 9800GTX+
Watercooled
Sue said 5:57PM on 1-08-2009
HEAR, HEAR -- Microsoft should actually reimburse us for this horrible OS, plus pain and suffering.. I don't want a new "version." I've switched to APPLE, thank you very much. Since that's what Microsoft is trying to emulate, I figured it' better to get the real thing.
Dale V. Myhra said 6:08PM on 1-08-2009
I agree that Vista is time consuming operating system. It has cost me a lot of time just to see where any things is on my monitor. There is no KISS system available.
Dale
Paula said 6:10PM on 1-08-2009
I HATE Vista..loved XP...if MSN can't do better than Vista, I will get a Mac! This is only 10months old..and I bought another one for a family member..so are we stuck with Vista for 2 or 3 more years? I buy a new one evert three years and my son usually keeps his for 4 as he doesn't use it all that much. I will not buy a new one just because it is supposed to be better...Vista was supposed to be better than XP..what a joke!
J. Bruce Gabriel said 6:26PM on 1-08-2009
Jeff,
I would agree with your post but would go one step further. Microsoft should give those sucker owners (like myself) of Vista free upgrades to Windows 7.
Also, Microsoft should try to keep features that work organized in the same manner on succedding versions of Windows. Don't change things unless it really improves the operating system. In other words "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Also, Microsoft should increase the time between iterations of Windows and should support all versions of Windows for a 20 year time period.
David said 6:58PM on 1-08-2009
I agree, Vista has been the worst operating system I have ever used. I am very dissappointed in it, and Microsoft should do a "recall" to the public, replacing it free. I have talked to many others who are also extremely dissappointed.
Fran said 8:02PM on 1-08-2009
I agree totally...I am stuck with Vista as well, would rather have my old XP.....what the hell was Bill Gates thinking...good Lord. If I have to pay for the new Software, I will get an aapl and never go back to Windows again.