Comments on: I agree with Ballmer: Let's wait for Windows 7

Don Reisinger agrees with Ballmer: let's wait for Windows 7 instead of buying Windows Vista.

[CommonNonsense]

Normally I wouldn't bother replying, but the amount of BS being thrown around in this comment section is ridiculous. While I can appreciate Macs, I do not currently own one. I sold custom built PCs in college and currently own three PCs (1 gaming desktop, one basic desktop I use to host games/files, and one Dell laptop).

A lot of people in this thread have claimed that only people who have not used Vista (or have not used it under "ideal" conditions) do not like it. I can say with certainty that is not the case. After experimenting with Vista, I could not find one single compelling feature to warrant the frustrating cons that came with it. On the plus side, the Aero interface was visually appealing, but when it came to performance, convenience, and ease of use, I simply preferred Windows XP. Gaming performance (and often compatibility) is just plain slow in Vista (this is with a quad core CPU, 4gb RAM, and SLI), the new start menu is poorly designed, and many things, like the "address" bar (using what appears to be a broken form of the breadcrumb interface) and the network control panel seemed to have been designed arbitrarily and with no consideration for usability. Is Vista horrible? No. Is it better than XP? Not by a long shot.

Windows XP 64-bit (yes, there is a 64-bit version of XP) is my OS of choice, and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

[sythara]

A late responce that wil probably never get read, but anyway. I completely agree with you! WinXP x64 is probably the best designed, most stable OS since the release of Win2kSP2.

[bitshiftr]

It's a shame that Don is being bashed so hard like this. Just because his opinion isn't your opinion doesn't warrant him being called a "sheep" or "crap writer".

I still don't see any reason to "upgrade" to Vista from XP. Yes, I have installed Vista on my computer and yes it ran fine, but the only noticeable difference was an overhaul of system maintenance procedures and a black interface. I do not use Aero and I do not use a sidebar. If I wanted it to be black, there's no stopping me from making my operating system look how I want it to.

For me there was no performance advantage and no compatibility advantage. I cannot justify shelling out $100 for an operating system that will not noticeably enhance my experience. I can still write my essays in word, I can still post on the blogs' comments, and I can still check my email, compose music, DJ, edit images, and make movies. Does Vista do it any better? For me, no.

Will Windows 7 do what Windows Vista didn't? I hope so. It'd be nice to have a fresh, "hip" interface and a few neat gadgets here and there. However, for the foreseeable future, I have no problem using Windows XP Professional and having all my applications run perfectly. Besides, it's about productivity. Did Windows Vista help me get things done faster? No. 'Nuff said.

[shaggydope60]

Did all of you think Vista at release was going to actually be better than XP? When has any new release of windows been better than it's predecessor right out of the gate? Obviously this "early-OS blues" should not occur with EVERY OS, but why are we so suprised with this release of windows?

7 will find a way to be disappointing too, just give it time. Remember, we are talking about Microsoft here.

[bobtubnj]

I have a better idea, just switch to Linux and forget about M$ entirely! Bobby B

[manwalklikebear]

Don you are a ******, I hope you enjoy whatever paycheck you get from CNET now cause sooner or later they will realize you are biased and uninformed. Case Closed, find a new career fanboy.

[dnotarnicola]

It's been said before but it bears repeating; Windows 7 is not going to be a panacea for backwards compatibility or user interface issues. It's is not going to be "XP done right" it is going to be an incremental evolution of Vista. If you are waiting because your current software is not yet comliant, fine.
However, the migration issues from XP will be the same or possible worse. Windows 7 driver model will be the same, so if your devices don't work under Vista the certainly will not work under Windows 7.
This is not an ad for Vista, just a warning to start making sure that your apps and devices will be compliant for when XP is no longer available and supported.

[jherdt]

wow - entertaining stuff. I waited a year before using Vista - need a new machine anyway and surprise no issues. Vista does appear to be on a similar trajectory to Windows ME.