Friday, November 16, 2007

Businesses Might Skip Windows Vista

With Microsoft's plan of releasing the next version of Windows, code-named Windows 7, in late 2009 or early 2010, there's a strong possibility that business might skip Vista altogether


Will Businesses Skip Vista Altogether?

Windows Vista will be available to consumers and business for one year on November 30, and yet many Windows users are still waiting for the Vista service pack before upgrading. But with Microsoft's plan of releasing the next version of Windows, code-named Windows 7, in late 2009 or early 2010, Windows users might skip Vista and in favor of the new version.

On Wednesday, Microsoft reported that more and more third party vendors are writing software and configuring hardware that are Vista compatible, along with drivers that should iron out the incompatibilities that plagued older hardware.

According to Mike Nash, a vice president of product management for Windows client, the experience of running Vista on hardware that is certified for it "is a lot better today than it was a month ago and certainly a lot better than it was [last November]."

Along with Windows Server 2008, Microsoft will release the roll-up updates for Windows Vista in the first quarter next year. The company is hoping that companies will upgrade to both versions.

Even with optimistic reports of Microsoft about Windows Vista, users are still complaining with enough problems that some companies may opt to wait until Windows 7 before upgrading their desktops. However, Microsoft has not disclosed much detail about Windows 7 except that it will be released about three years after Vista.

Users complain that Vista doesn't run well with older hardware -- either on PCs or with connected devices like printers that are a year or two old. Even on PCs that are supposedly meant to be optimized for Vista, there are still odd performance and compatibility issues with certain devices, applications and OS features that make using it a less than optimal experience

For this reason, one East Coast IT consultant who specializes in Microsoft products said that unless Windows Vista SP1 really smooths over the problems people are having with Vista, "there's a good chance many people will hold on to XP until the next version of Windows.

"They're just so many little usability issues," said the consultant, who asked not to be named, but who has nearly 20 years of experience with Microsoft software. "I can just imagine when the next one comes out, Microsoft will actually get it right and everyone will breathe a sigh of relief."

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