Unwanted licences boost Vista numbers

I have a computer from 5 years ago that was a beast then. I installed XP at that time and it has been working up till today flawlessly, I decided it was time for an upgrade. I am buying all high end components and I am going to install a new few OS on it. My choices were XP or vista and between 32 or 64 bit. I researched the 64bit and I'm sure is the future but it still has compatibility problems and such. So I will stick with 32bit. Now my choice was vista and XP. And I have been using Vista on another computer so I am very familure with it. Well the verdict is I will be installing XP back on. I don't want to deal with the incompatibility or slowness. Sure its better with SP1 but there is still problems. Even 1 problem is to much and with XP I have none and its super fast and runs everything I install. What am I losing out on directX 10.. Humm owell maybe in the future when it actually matters. Maybe windows 7 might make my upgrade list but that's well into the future. You all know XP is better and they could of added all the fixed things they put into vista into a new edition of XP.

it appears that microsoft are quite happy to lie to the buying pulic in order to 'blag' them that vista is good.

i find this offensive and an insult to the intelligence. but this is synonymous with microsoft and their condescending products. nothing new here...

they should take the criticism as feedback and create a decent functional product instead of the usual resource-hungry bloatware.

to resort to this con, it shows they are obviously worried about the general consensus and have no decent counter-argument to support their muck!

I work for a large bank in Canada.

We purchase hundreds of IBM systems a month, each preloaded with Vista Business editions that are promptly reformatted to XP SP2.

We must have 10-15,000 unused Vista licenses

I was 1 of these people who said how crap vista was...swapped between xp and vista 5 times b4 i realized that vista is better (if u bother to invest in the hardware), ive had no problems with it so far plays all my games spot on and not had 1 blue screen which seemed to happen a couple of times a week with xp, alot of the isuses have been fix with SP1 and funny this i didnt upgrade from 98SE until after xp SP1 due to how s**t it was yet this seems to all b forgotten along the way

back on topic....who gives a f**k how vista got their sale numbers, we all know with the amount of people who hate it that was the ONLY way they could get the numbers they say

Tilauksen ID-numero: 8546
What are these "digital media restrictions"? So far I haven't found a single digital media file, including .avi .mkv. .ogg .ogm .flac .mp3 .m4a .flv etc. etc. that I wasn't able to play back on my Vista x64 Ultimate.

Also, why are we reading this same new over and over and over again. Ok, so it's august and relatively slow news month. Get over it. Stop rehashing your news. You begin to reek of fudzilla...

If Vista is so good then why are so many users constantly avoiding it?

My friend had recently purchased a notebook which came bundled with Windows Vista (as with pretty much all consumer-grade computers as of late). This is someone who is a very regular user who just wishes to get stuff done. Surf the web, do lots of writing on MS Word, and play a decent amount of games.

She complained to me endlessly on how Vista's interface was less initiative than XP. System options she used to be familiar with are now hidden in a complex array of submenus. After I heard about her issues with Vista I asked if she wanted XP back and she replied with glee that she'd be delighted to rid Vista from her system... so that's what I did.

Prior to reinstalling her system however, I took my time to use Vista a little (about an hour or two), and she eventually got used to be saying how her new "gaming" notebook was immensely slow and it was probably a daft purchasing decision.

Needless to say, I still proceeded... I formatted her system and installed Windows XP, did my usual string of OS configurations, updated, installed all the drivers, made sure everything again was updated, installed all her software. I then gave the system back to her and she proceeded to install her games along with all the other applications she typically uses.

Day after day I'm now hearing how the system is so much more responsive, so much faster, in the real world environment with what she does, and even when playing games. (This by the way is a very new notebook with 2GB of RAM, an Intel Dual Core 2.4GHz Processor, and a GeForce 8600M.)

Don't forget, this is coming from someone who is not super-IT savvy or is in anyway an IT specialist.

This wasn’t the only occurrence either which I have witnessed after "upgrading" someone’s system from Vista to XP. In the real world, XP simply performs much better regardless of hardware. The system is more responsive, operates more fluidly, and when playing games, the extra frame rates *are* noticeable.

You do not have to look at complex benchmarks to compare the performance difference between XP and Vista. You simply have to look at real world usability.

It's amazing how people hold Microsoft to a different standard than any other company. Rabid haters foaming at the mouth.

The vast majority of computer users and buyers are rather ignorant about the hardware and software on their computer. When they go to a retail store to buy a computer, they are pretty much at the mercy of the salesperson to find their needs and sell them a computer at that point or slightly more powerful to ensure some longevity in their purchase.

And truthfully, Windows is the best choice for the majority of users. It has the widest market for compatible hardware and software.

The vast majority of computer buyers have no interest in learning the differences in the OS's to make an educated and proper choice. And unlike a toaster, the computer is a doorstop without an OS.

Do you really expect the average John Doe or John Grampa to buy a computer without an OS, download a Linux distro, install it, find and install the proper drivers, and use a command-line interface to make proper system-level adjustments to their computer. And wait until they go to Circuit City and ask the salesperson for the "Linux software section." Umm, you mean I can't just stick in a CD and let the program install itself?

And good luck "slapping on" OSX. First, if it's not Apple hardware, your breaking the EULA and committing a crime. Go to jail grandpa!! Oh, I know, you want Joe Gramps to screw around with the OS-X86 hack on the internet, which is much more user friendly than windows.

The solution for you is simple: buy the parts and build your own rig. You'll be saving money and can install whatever OS sings to your heart.

Besides, its called free-market enterprise. Is Microsoft stopping Apple from boxing up OSX and putting it on retail shelves? So blame Apple, whiner. They don't have near the driver support, software support, or technical support to take OSX to that scale.

Which brings me to my last point. The software might not get bad, but if Microsoft hadn't back-ported MANY technologies that were going to be Vista-only to XP (e.g. IE7, Windows Media Player 11, kernel and compatibility upgrades, etc) due to the delay in Vista's launch --mostly for security reasons -- XP would be even longer in the tooth than it is now.

Microsoft dropped all of it's other OS's except XP a few years back because it realized to compete with the competition (who only have one OS to support) they needed to focus their driver support and hardware compatibility testing, security fixes, OS updates, technical support, etc. to it's one main most-current OS. You must have no idea how much resources that takes.

Business are consumer markets are two different animals. Business takes a "if it aint broke, don't fix it" approach to technology - the hospital I work at has computers still using Windows 98 and 2000 Professional as well as XP - I guess by your logic that means XP sucks. As it states, there is simply no reason for them to invest in Vista at this time.

I beta tested Vista and the original code was shaky, Vista got off to a bad start. But I gave it a try about 2-3 months prior to SP1 being released and have not looked back since. Vista has A LOT of old XP bugs fixed and I have had NO stability issues with it at all. It handles complex file transfers that would make XP balk.

But really, this is all just about Microsoft hatred. Buy a pet, take a walk, there's better things to spend your emotions and energy on.




To all those that use the drashek blocker extension, I will explain that basics of "his" unusual idea.

As most but not all HP computers are distributed through normal channels (retail, business, education), there must be HP machines with valid XP licences not being used.

There are bound to be machines that may have been preinstalled with XP, but due to downsizing/ migration to Vista/Linux, these licences can't be used.
His idea would be for people who have legitimately aquired a XP licence on the machine, to be allowed to sell/transfer these licences to others.

His other idea of MS selling a stripped out version of Vista, or reselling a slightly modded XP as Vista <something> is good too. I money is on "Vista for clever clogs" (a take on the "for dummies" series).

Microsoft will have to develop a successor to XPe - XP for embedded computers. As both Windows server 2008 and Vista share the same code base, I would guess that Vista for embedded devices will run like server 2008 (quickly on slow/old/non-vista-compatible hardware).

I wouls say the majority of corporate Vista licenses sold are never installed. In particlular those corporation that have Enteprise Agreements (with compulsory maintenance) are licensed to install Vista but the vast majority are simply not installing it. It's the perfect product - the customer pays for it but never uses it.

counting numbers of units sold in an XP vs Vista comparison means nothing anyway. There are many millions more people around the world who are using PCs who weren't using them 6 years ago when XP came out. The only true way to compare like for like is to see what percentage of the market XP had after it had been on the market for 18 months, against the percentage Vista has now after the same amount of time. Of course Microsoft won't indulge anyone with those figures because the result would make grim reading.

We're trying to buy a bunch of machines from Dell. The per desktop cost is $579 with FreeDos and $499 with Vista basic.

So we get Vista basic, format, add Ubuntu and MS gets to tout more "sales"


If it ships with a Vista licence its a vista sale. Simple


So, what HP Oz are saying is that they still ship the majority of their business - not personal which are pretty much all Vista - PCs with Vista licences but XP installed whilst at the same time they expect this balance to shift next year.

So, basically, they've sold millions to private users and, since corporate adoption rates are broadly the same as XP, have tied up companies by giving them the right to upgrade to Vista later whilst letting them use XP for now because, as we all know, corporate adoption rates are about three to four years behind individual adoption rates?

And this is news?

No wonder The Inquirer has LOL attached to its name in more informed circles.

HP dosn't use strong components nor distribute thru ordinary channels. There are Literally Millions of hP desktop computers that have been outfitted with XP Activation, Yet NEVER Even Placed in Working enviorment.

What To Do? Resell Activation Numbers To Next Sucker. Worse, get around limitation of selling XP After 30June'8 by calling New, Marginal machines Vista Something. Poor Me o' My Owe. 
Its Like Using Disney Money at Local Store, In Fact, Disney Money Credit Card Money, Ummmm. Sweet. Except if You Get Stuck with it. 
Hp is Really Doubling Profits By Reselling What Someone else already has Bought. Disney Money is real, It Too, was bought & Paid for With Real CASH, Yet Its' just NOT Worth Anything, except To Disney. Unless Your Within shooting distance of Walt, forget it.
Hp Equipment is Kind of Mickey Mouse, So those two Could Start Whole NEW Rave: WAIT-Sell your Neighbors Trash, Yeah, Just Go Thru Dumpster collecting Everything Unused & Resell it, Like thrift. HP Thrift O/S, Costa Same, Works Just as Losey & Due To Crummy Nature of Product that Got It thrown Out, NOBODY Cares Much.
Except It Is Theft, By Numbers, of course, So Much Easier,
drashek

Why would business care about Vista's Digital Media Restrictions, given that the sysadmins are probably disabling media playback so the drones aren't watching DVD's at work?

Everyone has the right to run whatever operating system they want with their own hardware.

Microsoft cannot legally force people to use Vista. And the time for OEMs to dictate an operating system should be well over by now.

Why is it that I cannot buy a computer with no operating system fromn a major brand?

Why are we forced to buy Vista or even XP at all??

Sure your local DELL, HP, Compaq, Acer or what not will tell you that you can buy it & just re-install!

Simple isnt it?

But what that really means is:

"We don't care what you do after you pay for the software you dont want. 
We ASSUME you know how to re-install or contact someone who does.
You have to do what we say because our policty is to dictate rather than listen."

How much cheaper can DELL sell a laptop without an OS?

Will that run poor micro$oft out of business?

BOO HOO HOO.

When I buy a computer, I do not want Vista, I do not want XP. I want a computer. IF I ASK for an OS, well you will have to provide a service for that demand. But what if I do not ASK for it?

If I buy a toaster who is to say what OS I MUST use with it?

A PC is a PC. It has no specific design limitations for only a single OS. I can slap on Linux, OSX or Windows etc.

Now it's time people wake up and give me, the CUSTOMER, who is allegedly "always right except about micro$oft" the right to choose. A right which I always had.

Bollocks to Microsoft and their bullshit tactics. They think we are all stupid. They think that we some clever moves & strong arm tactics they can shove their crap (Vista) down our throats.

Software IS NOT like hardware. There is no "matter fatigue" Why should XP support ryun out??

Is it because the binary code is getting slower? is it because after a certain time there are more error bits than usual? 

Or is it simply because microsoft said; F-it from now on these dumb mouse monkeys are going to us a new OS, because we can bully them around and MAKE THEM.

I suspect it's long over-due that users, admins and OEMs take a major dump on microsoft.
To see how they like their own medicine.

Egan's lost his objectivity, it seems, if he can't report on Vista without trotting out the same old criticisms. I purchased several Vista licenses, 64bit and 32bit, for my business, did fresh installs on both old and new hardware, and even Aero works well. The security features, including the user access control he detests, are necessary for the data we work with. Extra RAM was needed but cheap and simple to install, and I could care less about the DRM. If only Fujitsu and Kodak would publish Vista drivers for our scanners I'd convert the rest of the PC's to Vista.

If Microsoft want to get the business users onside why don't they create a modular Vista where by you can install certain components and not all the crap and bloatware that comes with it. That might help aging PC's use the bloated resource hog.

I'd like to see Windows 7 as a modular OS too.