MICROSOFT ¦ From ($199 If Upgrading) ¦ 
See: Microsoft.com.au
For: Slick looking. Easy to navigate. Improved speed with new PC
Against: Third party drivers missing
Verdict: Great piece of software that takes Microsoft OS computing to the next level
Late in November I configured a brand new duel core BenQ notebook with the new Windows Vista operating system. I also loaded a full version of the new Microsoft Office 2007.
And if that was not enough I then trotted off to the CES Expo in Las Vegas to cover the show. And you know what, almost everything that Microsoft had promised worked.
However there were a few exceptions one of them being web mail. I know find out that a patch has to be loaded onto a Windows based server so that a current version of Exchange server can deliver a full web mail service via the new Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.
My biggest criticism is third part vendors like iphone Company Mate who as late as this morning had not one single piece of information on their web site as to how their PDA phones are suppose to interface with the new Windows operating system. This is a Company that boasts about its relationship with Microsoft.
I also found that some of the Adobe portfolio of products would not work with Vista as well as the Symantec Anti Virus software.
During the Australia day weekend several retail stores like Clive Peters were advertising Vista and new Microsoft Office 2007 for sale. In fact after January 30, you may be destined to get Vista on your new PC whether you want it or not. Once the new OS ships, most vendors like Dell and Toshiba are switching exclusively to Vista for consumer desktops and notebooks. These companies will also continue to sell systems running Windows XP, but only through their respective business divisions.
