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Personal Tech

Web-based programs nip at Vista

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 29, 2007

Here comes a new Windows operating system from Microsoft Corp. Long delayed, it's the first in several years, so the company plans an enormous marketing campaign to tout the software as a way to get more out of computers.

But Microsoft's legion of detractors roll their eyes, calling the new Windows a weak imitator of other operating systems. Meanwhile, technology analysts wonder whether Microsoft's dominance is nearing an end, since programs coming over the Internet are emerging as a more powerful force in computing than software tied to individual desktops.

Ah, those were the days. Who can forget the release of Windows 95?

That's right: While the description above applies to the new Windows Vista operating system hitting stores Tuesday, it also was the landscape 11 1/2 years ago, when Microsoft came out with Windows 95 and ended up cementing its position in the PC industry.

However, there's one key difference this time: Back in August 1995, people lined up outside computer stores to buy the new edition of Windows the moment it went on sale at midnight.

Don't expect that to happen for Vista.

That doesn't mean Vista will be a dud. It can't be, not when just about every new PC sold will have Vista included.

Still, there's no ignoring the fact that Vista lacks a camping-outside-stores level of excitement - even if the company's marketing campaign does incorporate heavy use of the word "wow." That's what Microsoft contends people say when they see Vista for the first time.

While that may be the case, analysts expect Vista - which has been available for business users since Nov. 30 - to gradually replace its most recent predecessor, Windows XP, over the next few years.

This is partly because Windows XP is good enough for many computer owners. In contrast, Windows 3.1, which Windows 95 ushered out to the tune of the Rolling Stones' Start Me Up, was relatively primitive (remember DOS?). More graphical, more polished and easier to use, the $90 Windows 95 introduced many people to PCs for the first time, just as the Web was about to take off.

"Each time Microsoft puts out a piece of software, they're competing with their own previous software," said Matt Rosoff, an analyst with the independent Directions on Microsoft research firm. "Now there's not that much extra stuff in the plumbing that they can do. There's not going to be the big obvious leap."

Windows Vista comes in five editions, though two are marketed at businesses: Business ($299, or upgrade for $199) and the more powerful Enterprise, which isn't available for retail purchase. Here are the consumer options:

Home Basic

Price: $199, or upgrade for $99.95

What you should know: It includes the improved security and search functions, but won't be able to run the new Windows Aero desktop interface and doesn't have the Windows Media Center and Windows Tablet functions. Most users shouldn't consider this stripped-down version, but if you bought a PC in the past few months, and it had a "Vista Capable" sticker on it, it should be able to run at least Home Basic.

Home Premium

Price: $239, or upgrade for $159

What you should know: This is the one most consumers will want. It contains the full Aero interface and it includes the functionality of Windows Media Center and Windows Tablet. Recent PC purchases that were labeled "Premium Ready" should be able to handle this version, and most mid-range and high-end consumer PCs for sale will come loaded with Home Premium.

Ultimate

Price: $399, or upgrade for $259

What you should know: This wraps up everything in Home Premium with some features from the business versions. It has additional hardware failure precautionary features, remote desktop abilities and Windows BitLocker, which guards your laptop against loss or theft by encrypting the hard drive. It's for power users, but some regular users may need Ultimate if their companies have network configurations that make it impossible to connect with other versions.

Sources: John Torro, Wall Street Journal, PC Magazine.

[Last modified January 29, 2007, 06:14:36]