So far im NOT really impressed with Windows Vista. I was expecting A LOT more from Windows Vista. But this is just a beta, so it's only 2/3 of the actual OS.
But for beta 2, it should be better.
Windows Vista does have a nice smooth visual performance, windows opens programs/folders with a nice fade and fall effect, easy on the eyes. Logon fades to the desktop, nice screen savers, big detaild icons. Also very detailed window themes.
Visuals: 4/5
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Stability
Very bad, after 5 minutes after install, Windows froze.
Program compatibility feature causes Windows to unexpectadly crash. (or random restart).
Can't leave it on over night, with out it showing up in the morning dead.
Very bad networking problems. Windows will not keep a connection to your network for long. Probably due to beta drivers, but I can't find out right now.
Stability: 1/5
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Performance
TERRIBLE!
During windows boot-up, it takes about 5 minutes to finnaly stop loading!
Programs take to long to start, or move on.
I mean really, right now my computer is loading and lagging it's guts out for no appearant reason. I just tried to switch to FrostWire to close it because my network on Windows just uexpectadley stopped working. Then my computer lagged up the ass, every thing flickered, my mouse stopped moving, windows turned white, then two minutes later I could finnaly close it. Then it did it again, windows lagged, every thing flickered.
VERY inconvinient for the typical power user.
Windows better fix this or Windows Vista is gona be a big faliure.
Because if every one has to buy 1,000 computers just to run Windows Vista with out much down time, the PC is gona die!
Every thing is just WAY too slow to suite my needs.
(my computer DOES meet the recomended requirements)
Performance: 1/5
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Security
Good, Windows Vista is full of new security features.
Such as a program lock, that blocks unknown programs from running, and notifys you about it, asking wether to allow or keep blocking the pogram.
Windows Defender, blocks most currently known mal-ware/spyware from installing on your PC.
Windows Firewall, the improved version of the older Windows XP built-in FireWall. Still not impressed with it though, but it gets the job half-way done, just like all of Microsofts security programs
.
Security Center. The improved version of Windows XP's Security Center. Monitors things like, Anti-Virus programs, FireWalls, Updating, and anti-SpyWare programs.
Internet Explorer 7 , even though it says it's now VERY secure, it's just a candy coated version of IE6, with very few improvements. But it does have a built-in Phisher site detector. But still not even close to the greatness of FireFox. I say if Windows wants to be a bigger hit, junk Internet Explorer, and use FireFox, and use that as their built-in/default browser instead.
Windows has made the security more user friendly to unaware users. Which hopefully helps all those computer illiterate people out there who have no idea what a virus is.
Security: 3/5 (IE7 could be better).
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Other
This beta version is the Windows Vista "ultimate", so far I haven't found ANYTHING better than the regular, home edition, other than it comes with Windows Media Center.
I haven't used Media Center before, so this is my first review of it, so far, I like it.
WMC (Windows Media Center) is full of nice smooth effects, easy on the eyes, and easy to navigate through. It comes with easy to use programs for your multi-media needs.
WMC was targeted towards computers being used as, things like TiVo's, DVD players, etc. I'd say Microsoft did a great job on it.
Things I don't like so far, YOU CAN'T PLAY AUDIO CD's! You can't use your secondary monitor/TV while you have a regular VGA monitor attached, with out having to manually (in windows) modify your main monitor.
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Overall rating, 2/5, but this is just the beta, so it's not the official Windows Vista rating.
For users who are itching to use Windows Vista, trust me, the beta isn't worth it. Just wait until the release edition comes out (which I think is around January '07).