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Windows Vista

After experimenting with Vista for a month, I see no need to upgrade from XP, but I'm glad I did. I would have eventually, so why not now? I like to be on top of new releases. I like to have an opinion based on experience. And Vista is probably more secure inside (??).

I didn't just upgrade the OS. I upgraded the entire system. And I am installing mostly programs or versions that have been released for Vista (for example, the screen capture utility, SnagIt 8-2-2, is a Vista-ready update). I installed Adobe Premeire Pro (to test my Core 2 Duo processor), but I'm waiting for Photoshop CS3. I also installed Adobe Lightroom and it handles large numbers of images nicely because of the processor(s) and the 2 GB of memory.

My computer now has a Core 2 Duo processor which works like two processors, newer and more memory (2GB with two empty slots so I can go to 4 GB), support for dual monitors, and a PCI-e video slot/card. I also have a second hard drive bay where I can slide new drives in and out without turning the computer off. I have a 300 GB media drive for the bay. All of these are major upgrades from my last (XP) computer. I also have a wider/brighter/letterbox screen that I really like, a TV tuner, and FM radio built in.

I would like to use the Firefox Web browser, but it is not Vista-ready. Neither is the Quicktime player. These limitations are further reasons someone might choose to stay with XP for now.

I like the media center software (the navigation is now comfortable but was not intuitive at first).

Just yesterday I found something I like: the zoom feature in the Vista picture viewer! Like many of the new features in Vista, it reminds me of the Mac.