bit-tech.net

Today is V-Day

Published on 30th November 2006 by Wil Harris

Windows Vista is finally here - stare at the horizon no more.

Today is the day that Windows Vista launches to businesses around the world.

Many predicted that Microsoft would not hit its self-imposed target of shipping by November 30, but copies are being ordered as we speak, and we already have one officially licensed Vista machine in the bit-tech labs.

Also launching to businesses today are Exchange 2007 and Office 2007.

If you're a consumer wanting to buy the consumer editions of these products - for example, Windows Vista Home or Ultimate - you're going to have to wait until January 30, when they become available for mass consumption.

However, if you're after a barebones business version of the OS, you might find that you're able to pick one up from select outlets from today, and you'll be able to order a business-class PC with the OS pre-installed.

Expect to see the first retail rips up on BitTorrent pretty soon, prompting plenty of debate over the next couple of months about how strict the new Windows Genuine Advantage validation is.

Have you picked up Vista today? Are you expecting to get a PC with it installed? Or are you stunning running the beta? Let us know over in the forums.

39 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

DougEdey 30th November 2006, 11:29

Another 6-7 months before I can afford the extortionate amount for the "Gamers" recommended version (Ultimate)

seanblee 30th November 2006, 12:03

At long last - I've been running a legit Ultimate for a fortnight now, it's great :D

section8 30th November 2006, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanblee
At long last - I've been running a legit Ultimate for a fortnight now, it's great :D

Legit really :D ? For long? I always thought stuff off BitTorrent was not legit !!! hehe... You get hold of a final beta or sumink?

riggs 30th November 2006, 12:15

Not too fussed tbh - I don't own a DX10 card, and for me XP is perfect (very quick and stable). Even though my laptop is 'Vista ready', there's absolutely no need for me to upgrade until I buy a new (DX10+) laptop, which isn't going to happen for at least 2 years.

Forgive my ignorance, but is there actually any point in upgrading to Vista (from a gaming perspective) if you own a DX9 graphics card? Surely, you'll just end up with lower frame rates while Vistas' background tasks eat up your system resources!?

Let's just wait and see what XP SP3 has in store...

Risky 30th November 2006, 12:19

Exactly what is in "Ultimate" over the lesser versions, that everyone here feels they have to have it?

DougEdey 30th November 2006, 12:20

Ultimate comes with the full version of DX10.

seanblee 30th November 2006, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by section8
Legit really :D ? For long? I always thought stuff off BitTorrent was not legit !!! hehe... You get hold of a final beta or sumink?

Yes legit really - I was on the beta programme from day 1 and MS gave all active testers a free copy of Vista Ultimate final (RTM) - build 6000.

seanblee 30th November 2006, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risky
Exactly what is in "Ultimate" over the lesser versions, that everyone here feels they have to have it?

Ultimate includes Media Center, a DVD decoder and a few other bits and pieces you don't get in lesser versions. There's no difference in the build of DX10 in any Vista release though, not sure where that story's come from :?

section8 30th November 2006, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanblee
Yes legit really - I was on the beta programme from day 1 and MS gave all active testers a free copy of Vista Ultimate final (RTM) - build 6000.

Damn you Beta boys!!!! Nah fair play to that... Exactly the same happened to my best friend... You think that it will have the same probs as XP has in terms of being copied and shizzle... I will buy the legit copy of course, but thats mainly because I get a dsicount!

overdosedelusion 30th November 2006, 12:38

ultimate version for me im afraid, as i have xp pro, its the only version i can upgrade too without a reinstall, which i really cant be assed doing

Mother-Goose 30th November 2006, 12:43

I was under the impressing the verion under ultimate also has full DX10? if not...bugger ultimate for me too

Cthippo 30th November 2006, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by overdosedelusion
ultimate version for me im afraid, as i have xp pro, its the only version i can upgrade too without a reinstall, which i really cant be assed doing

Can't be arsed to do a clean install? WTF? I'm sorry, we're going to have to revoke your computing license for that.

Seriously, if that's too much trouble, go buy a computer from Dell

seanblee 30th November 2006, 12:46

All editions have 'full DX10', I'm really confused here, what do you think the lesser editions don't have?

trailblazer 30th November 2006, 12:52

After all the talk about vista security, maybe not so secure, I have started a thread in the "Serious discussion" forum.

overdosedelusion 30th November 2006, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthippo
Can't be arsed to do a clean install? WTF? I'm sorry, we're going to have to revoke your computing license for that.

Seriously, if that's too much trouble, go buy a computer from Dell

lol, not that its any trouble, ive done it so many times that it has just become an absolute nusence. i just cant be arsed having to install all my stuff again, and sending all my files to my other HD

and besides, dell are shite

don't see why i should get flamed for not wanting to do something that nobody likes to do

DougEdey 30th November 2006, 13:05

There's also more IP management in Ultimate. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/ultimate.mspx

M4RTIN 30th November 2006, 13:13

i was looking a while back on the ms site and it looked like home premium had everything you could really want, ultimate just adding some tat most people wont use, but still feel they need.. however i dont know how much cheaper home premium is so it may be worth getting ultimate over that anyway

apoogod 30th November 2006, 13:25

you guys can buy all the versions of vista now through Technet now.

booya 30th November 2006, 13:27

Sounds like I will be getting the Ultimate Version here.

Mother-Goose 30th November 2006, 13:37

DX10 is fully enabled in all versions apart from basic from what I have read.

TMM 30th November 2006, 13:59

Quote:

Expect to see the first retail rips up on BitTorrent pretty soon, prompting plenty of debate over the next couple of months about how strict the new Windows Genuine Advantage validation is.

*cough*um... yes the retail copys were leaked weeks ago*cough*

M4RTIN 30th November 2006, 14:10

i dont think my version of rc2 runs out till april or something, i'll buy it then lol

TMM 30th November 2006, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4RTIN
i dont think my version of rc2 runs out till april or something, i'll buy it then lol

haha yeah, MS's beta periods are always pretty long. I have a beta copy (the last build before official iirc) of Server2003 that can be installed an unlimited amount of times - only catch is that each install only lasts 365days :D

Risky 30th November 2006, 14:25

OK here's the MS comparison table http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/default.mspx

Home premium is pretty clearly all most will want for an entertainment/gaming PC. I imagine you'd have to get Buiness for running Dev tools and I'd need gto read more to check but I assume proper User-level security is again with Business.

Ultimate = Homepremium + all the bits from Enterprise, but if you're not runnign a domain in your bedroom I think you'll cope without.

So to anyone who feels they need to buy ultimate, just check you know the reason why first.......

section8 30th November 2006, 14:34

I thought that the Home premium version would be the one that was bought by the masses....

section8 30th November 2006, 14:38

Mind you after reading a little bit up on the different versions, the Ultimate one has everything that everyone would need... Although I am tempted to say that each version, as long as they are all compatible, can be uploaded, if you will, with the enhancements of the other packages..

eg Home Premium without dev tools and shizzle for businesses...
Ultimate version with the whole chabang...

*Download enhancements in some form of torrent file*

Install enhancements for Home Premium (dev tools etc)
Home Premium = Ultimate (but all for the slightly cheaper price....

Risky 30th November 2006, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by section8
I thought that the Home premium version would be the one that was bought by the masses.

Quite possibly, but that doesn't mean you automatically need something better.

Maybe it ships with a special "Look at me, I paid 400 notes for my OS" T-shirt. Surely that would impress the chicks......

section8 30th November 2006, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risky
Quite possibly, but that doesn't mean you automatically need something better.

Maybe it ships with a special "Look at me, I paid 400 notes for my OS" T-shirt. Surely that would impress the chicks......

Thats true... Like with the Alienware ALX desktops come with T-Shirt's claiming they are part of an elite club... Go down to Stringfellows with that on and you will be promised at least three fit birds for the night... ALIENWARE GUARANTEES THIS!!!!

I think there won't be that much difference between the two high-end versions of Vista... And like someone said before, most will not need the extra shizzle...

BioSniper 30th November 2006, 16:52

I will try vista again when its possible to make it feel like 2k again (IE turn off all the silly tool bars to the right of folder windows, move the addressbar down below the "file, edit, tools" menu's etc) untill that day I will stick with XP. The other reason is because I can't afford to upgrade :p

Firehed 30th November 2006, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioSniper
I will try vista again when its possible to make it feel like 2k again (IE turn off all the silly tool bars to the right of folder windows, move the addressbar down below the "file, edit, tools" menu's etc) untill that day I will stick with XP. The other reason is because I can't afford to upgrade :p

You do realize that with all the features they took out of Vista, those UI tweaks you're trying to remove are just about all that's left...

Anyways, I've got RC2 on a thinkpad and it seems decent enough, but certainly no compelling reason to buy it. Especially since it felt the need to break network filesharing with Macs thanks to a stupid change in the authentication system (someone decided that I really want to always have compname\username in the username field, which of course isn't a valid username). OTOH, getting files FROM the Vista box seems marginally easier/more reliable than in XP. Still have no working sound drivers for it yet though... ah well.

DXR_13KE 30th November 2006, 19:06

1 euro cent says it will get a service pack very soon...... :D

Warrioradmin 30th November 2006, 23:52

Yeah,

I have to get Windows Vista Ultamate, as my job will require me to fix computers that have it.

Risky 1st December 2006, 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrioradmin
Yeah,

I have to get Windows Vista Ultamate, as my job will require me to fix computers that have it.

But you'll be getting it from a Technet subscription, surely?

Cthippo 1st December 2006, 03:44

And on a related note, MS shares closed down $.21 today. Appearently the market isn't too excited. :|

Warrioradmin 1st December 2006, 16:53

Well,

I am currently running a limited beta build 5728, I mean its basicly close enough to build 6000 for me. However, I also will get the latest one, I still have to buy a technet subscription. Well when the money arrives lol. My friend is currently doing labs with the OS in a domain environment. He's got like 10 virtual machines and a server, says its pretty coold and way easier to administer

Grinch123456 2nd December 2006, 22:21

To get Vista (and nearly all MS products), join MSDN (Microsoft Developers Network). It's about 3000 a year but you get every single MS product, 10 keys of any version of OS (ex: XP, Vista) for your own home, and all those office products and so on. So, instead of paying 1000 (Office+Ultimate) for 10 computers, you just pay 3000 a year. From a price standpoint, it's alot better, IMO.

apoogod 3rd December 2006, 05:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grinch123456
To get Vista (and nearly all MS products), join MSDN (Microsoft Developers Network). It's about 3000 a year but you get every single MS product, 10 keys of any version of OS (ex: XP, Vista) for your own home, and all those office products and so on. So, instead of paying 1000 (Office+Ultimate) for 10 computers, you just pay 3000 a year. From a price standpoint, it's alot better, IMO.

or get a technet subscription for $300 yr. and get every piece of M$ software to.

Supershanks 3rd December 2006, 21:11

U didn't need to be a beta tester throughout the development. RC1 & RC2 where both available 4 download if u signed up i have rc2 32 & rc564 both installed on a raid along with xp. RC2 is valid up till June 2007

I found this useful in describing features How to choose an edition of Windows Vista

I plan to upgrade my rig to conroe around febuary, my wife will take my current rig & OS. Have seen the OEM XP Pro packages now sell with a coupon that gives an upgrade to the corresponding 32 or 64 Windows Vista Business version. Am wondering if this is a good buy now. Windows XP OEM - Vista Upgrade

I understand that the retail (non oem versions) come with 32 & 64 bit, whilst the OEM has to be specifically 32 or 64. So that has left me pondering which to go with.

seanblee 3rd December 2006, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioSniper
I will try vista again when its possible to make it feel like 2k again (IE turn off all the silly tool bars to the right of folder windows, move the addressbar down below the "file, edit, tools" menu's etc) untill that day I will stick with XP. The other reason is because I can't afford to upgrade :p

LOL now where are the people saying they'll use Vista when they can make it look like 3.1, or DOS? Bet you won't use Office 2007 until you can turn off those darn new-fangled tool ribbons and get back to menus and toolbars...