Windows XP vs. Vista – a Silly Debate
Published by Fred Soto • January 7th, 2008
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Let’s face it, Humans are hopeless!
From ArsTechnica, we’re learning just how hopeless we really are:
Windows Vista didn’t make a smooth market entrance; in fact, nearly every aspect of the operating system has been attacked since its release on January 30, 2007. Multiple SKUs allegedly confused customers, anti-DRM groups disliked Vista’s Protected Video Path and its overall DRM friendliness, and Microsoft’s definition of “Vista Capable” got the company sued. Toss in a plethora of bugs and the usual consumer backlash over GUI changes, and you’d think consumers would be avoiding Vista in droves. According to new information, however, they aren’t—Vista’s adoption rate over the past year actually exceeded XP’s in 2001, and consumers apparently choose Vista over XP by a 7:1 margin.
Article: “Despite problems, consumers choosing Vista over XP”
Apple commercials aside, I couldn’t imagine any consumers deciding to “upgrade to XP” over the previous installation of Windows Vista. It’s brilliant strategy and marketing on Apple’s part, but lets face it– people want change these days. The problem with Vista’s image is in large part tied to the corporation that seems to play the role of the ‘status quo’ and is synonymous with failures in innovation on the OS front.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-Microsoft or anything and I must admit that it’s just a silly expectation that people would stick with XP over Vista. (Although I did!) Remember, a lot of companies and typical consumers don’t have a choice when they invest in new hardware. People have to go out of their way to get a souped up computer with an older OS that favors stability over ‘performance’ enhancements.
In the end, this just boils down to fan boy vs. anti-fan boy propaganda. Migration will happen, PC’s aren’t going to die to the new juggernaut on the street. (Apple) The world will continue to spin and humans will continue to make dumb decisions because it’s easier that way.
Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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Hmm…I can’t really tell if you are anti-Vista or not (This is the second of your articles I’ve read) but I do agree: it is a silly debate. XP is no better than Vista. Vista is, however, better than XP. It is better overall, but does need some work. SP1 likely fixes alot of those issues. The parental controls, nicer interface, better networking, better programming tools (I am a developer) and other smaller things like Media Center and the photo gallery all make Vista a better environment. Granted, the Live suite negates some of that since you can run Live on XP, but XP still lacks the other stuff and all of that is important to me. The parental controls alone make the upgrade (or new pc purchase) worth it if you have children. It does not replace parental guidance, but it does help. Alot. Back to your point: I’ve not met ONE person who has ‘upgraded’ to XP. Not one. I know a few who dual boot because of some esoteric device or application that refuses to play nice with Vista. I even know a person who has XP, Vista AND Tiger on the MacBook PRO. THAT is pretty freaking cool.