Windows Vista: Upgrade Now?
March 2007
Today’s student cannot survive without a computer, and software companies want you to have the latest and greatest products. But when it comes to Windows VistaTM, NUIT recommends you delay upgrading. Students should wait until at least early fall due to several known incompatibilities with peripheral devices and University systems.
If you are considering an upgrade, it is essential to research the following questions and contact the NUIT Support Center with any issues before you upgrade to Vista:
Are you compatible?
In testing Vista, NUIT and campus technology leaders have found incompatibilities with key software and peripherals, so early adoption of Windows Vista is not recommended. NUIT recommends purchase only after Service Pack 1 is released.
In addition to printers and handheld devices that may not work, software with currently known Vista incompatibilities include some earlier versions of Adobe Acrobat and the latest version of Mozilla Firefox. Testing of Vista continues, and NUIT will provide a detailed list of incompatibilities as soon as possible. NUIT anticipates that as time passes, these issues will be rectified and fully compatible in the future.
Before purchasing a new operating system, it is important to research your system and its compatibility with Vista, as most systems are not compatible. A detailed list of system requirements is available on the Microsoft Vista Web site.
If you’re in the market for a new system, it’s in your best interest to hold out on Vista for now. You should look into purchasing Windows XP Service Pack 2 with the option to upgrade to Vista Service Pack 1 in the future.
What edition is right for you?
Knowing whether or not a new Vista system is compatible with your current machine is only half the battle of upgrading to Vista. Before moving on, you'll need to understand which edition best suits your needs. Take a closer look at Vista's varying editions: Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Enterprise.
What about security?
Microsoft claims Windows Vista is one of the safest operating systems available. They’ve invented a new technology, the User Account Control, which provides a method of separating standard user privileges and tasks from those that require administrator access.
Some users complain about the restrictions created by the new security settings. Some of these features can be turned off or on, depending on the user. As with any new user or system, it will take time to personalize settings to your comfort.
The bottom line? Windows Vista is more than an upgrade, and the drawbacks of the system currently outweigh the benefits for most users. NUIT will provide more information about Vista in the coming weeks and Microsoft’s Vista Web site is a good resource for further details.
