Is Vista Worth The Cost?

[Jim Thornton]

I checked out my two-year old Pentium 4 computer with a 3GHz Intel CPU and
2GB of RAM using Microsoft's Vista Advisor program to see if my computer was
ready for Vista. The answer is that it will cost $890 to replacement the
components that are not Vista ready. These items are - $100 for the Vista
version of Norton SystemWorks (NSW); $200 for a new video card to replace
the video components which are part of my Intel motherboard; $200 to replace
my Epson desktop scanner; $80 to replace my Microsoft keyboard and mouse;
$50 to replace my Nero DVD software; and $20 to replace my Total Recorder
software. Plus the basic cost of $240 for the Home Premium edition of
Windows Vista. Even if I were to buy a new computer with Vista already
installed, I still would need to spend another $270 to replace NSW, the
scanner, and the two software programs (Nero and Total Recorder). I can't
see that Vista's worth it!

 

[AJR]

Jim - I run Vista Ultimate on an older computer. I did replace the video
card to have the Vista Aero function - however the old card did function Ok.
I had to download drivers for a HP scanner/printer and regarding Norton's -
I do consulting for a few restaurants and privately for friends and
neighbors - I always discourage System Works - the utilities provided are
included natively with XP and Vista - System Works is a memory "hog" and can
be problematic to uninstall.

Roxio (Sonic) generally do not provide upgrade drivers - Nero usually does.
Suggest you routinely check software/hardware OEMS for Vista upgrades.

I have had all "beta"versions of Vista and currently have several dual boot
units with XP and Windows Server 2003 for comparison.

You may hear derogatory remarks about Vista ( it as the same at beginning of
XP) - XP is great but Vista "outshines" XP - unfortunately many of it's
improvements are transparent to the user.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I checked out my two-year old Pentium 4 computer with a 3GHz Intel
CPU and 2GB of RAM using Microsoft's Vista Advisor program to see if
my computer was ready for Vista. The answer is that it will cost
$890 to replacement the components that are not Vista ready. These
items are - $100 for the Vista version of Norton SystemWorks (NSW);
$200 for a new video card to replace the video components which are
part of my Intel motherboard; $200 to replace my Epson desktop
scanner; $80 to replace my Microsoft keyboard and mouse; $50 to
replace my Nero DVD software; and $20 to replace my Total Recorder
software. Plus the basic cost of $240 for the Home Premium edition
of Windows Vista. Even if I were to buy a new computer with Vista
already installed, I still would need to spend another $270 to
replace NSW, the scanner, and the two software programs (Nero and
Total Recorder). I can't see that Vista's worth it!

I'm not at all trying to convince you to upgrade to Vista (although I'm
personally happy with Vista, I think most people are probably better off
staying with what they have). But your numbers make no sense, and are
greatly distorted.

$100 for the Vista version of Norton SystemWorks (NSW);

NSW is crapware, whether under Windows XP or Windows Vista. I wouldn't pay
$100 or $.01 for a new version. There are many better freeware
alternatives. Change your $100 to $0.

$200 for a new video card to replace the video components which are
part of my Intel motherboard;

There are *many* decent video cards which cost much less than $200 and work
just fine under Vista.

$200 to replace my Epson desktop
scanner;

There are *many* scanners that work well under Vista and cost far less than
$200. For example, I'm very happy with my Canon LiDE 60, which can easily be
bought for $80 or less.

$80 to replace my Microsoft keyboard and mouse;

I'm not sure why you can't use your old mouse and keyboard, but if you need
new ones, $20 should more than cover them.

$50 to
replace my Nero DVD software;

Necessary? Probably not.

and $20 to replace my Total Recorder
software.

Never heard of Total Recorder and can't comment.

Plus the basic cost of $240 for the Home Premium edition
of Windows Vista.

Look at Amazon.com. You can get a Vista Home Premium Upgrade for half of
that--$120. There are may be even better prices if you shop around.

I'm not trying to talk you into uprgading--do it or not, depending on your
own needs and desires--but your stated cost of $890 is *way* inflated.

Even if I were to buy a new computer with Vista already installed, I still
would need to spend another $270 to replace NSW,
the scanner, and the two software programs (Nero and Total Recorder).

No, you wouldn't, as I pointed out above.

I can't see that Vista's worth it!

Then don't do it. Nobody here is trying to talk you into it.

Not to mention that your anti-vista rant is *way* off-topic in a WIndows XP
newsgroup.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I checked out my two-year old Pentium 4 computer with a
3GHz Intel CPU and 2GB of RAM using Microsoft's Vista
Advisor program to see if my computer was ready for Vista.
I can't see that Vista's worth it!

I'm wondering why you think any of us care what you think?

Maybe you're confusing us with someone who gives a shit?

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

I can't see that Vista's worth it!

Me 2 but I think $75/fifth for single malt scotch is worth it

Just my 2¢ worth. Larry
Any advice is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

Everybody's forgetting the value of his time.

I pay myself mucho denero

Just my 2¢ worth. Larry

I'm not at all trying to convince you to upgrade to Vista (although I'm
personally happy with Vista, I think most people are probably better off
staying with what they have). But your numbers make no sense, and are
greatly distorted.




NSW is crapware, whether under Windows XP or Windows Vista. I wouldn't pay
$100 or $.01 for a new version. There are many better freeware
alternatives. Change your $100 to $0.




There are *many* decent video cards which cost much less than $200 and work
just fine under Vista.




There are *many* scanners that work well under Vista and cost far less than
$200. For example, I'm very happy with my Canon LiDE 60, which can easily be
bought for $80 or less.




I'm not sure why you can't use your old mouse and keyboard, but if you need
new ones, $20 should more than cover them.




Necessary? Probably not.




Never heard of Total Recorder and can't comment.




Look at Amazon.com. You can get a Vista Home Premium Upgrade for half of
that--$120. There are may be even better prices if you shop around.

I'm not trying to talk you into uprgading--do it or not, depending on your
own needs and desires--but your stated cost of $890 is *way* inflated.




No, you wouldn't, as I pointed out above.




Then don't do it. Nobody here is trying to talk you into it.

Not to mention that your anti-vista rant is *way* off-topic in a WIndows XP
newsgroup.

Any advice is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Gord Dibben]

"Any advice is my attempt"

Alteration has not gone unnoticed<g>

Gord

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Larry

Everybody's forgetting the value of his time.

For the rant or the scientific analysis of the cost of upgrading to
Windows Vista?

I pay myself mucho denero

Just my 2¢ worth. Larry


Any advice is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but
I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

All of 2 cents! You devalue yourself <g>!

Same thing my ex-wife said at alimony hearing
Any advice is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

TY

"Any advice is my attempt"

Alteration has not gone unnoticed<g>

Gord

Any advice is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Poprivet]

Only you can answer that.

 

[Gordon]

Only you can answer that.

WHO can answer that? Please QUOTE the post you are replying to.

 

[=?ISO-8859-15?Q?Ga=EBtan?=]

Hi. I received this e-mail that goes around stating that Windows Vista
has hidden tech that would prevent anyone from copying a ligit music
downloaded from a ligit site to our MP3 player. Or to create a CD with
parts of ligit music CD for the car.. or the living-room... or even the
toilet room !!! ))
Is this a joke or what ? This curious e-mail states not to fall into
that Vista catch and to boycot Windows Vista.!!! I feel this is a prank
but is it ? Is there any sense in this ? Any kind of reality behind this
e-mail ?
Thanks for the advice.

 

[Bob I]

As usual, the wankers are out generating hoaxes again.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Everybody's forgetting the value of his time.

Nope, I wasn't forgetting about the value of his time. I didn't address the
value of his time because all I did was respond to the greatly inflated
number ($890) for upgraded hardware and software he asserted.

It may cost him some money to upgrade to Vista, but there's no reason for
him to have to spend anywhere near $890 for hardware and software upgrades.

The value of his time is a another issue. It's an important issue, but a
completely separate one from what he asserted in the message I answered.

Whether he upgrades to Vista or not is his decision, and before making it,
he should take all the costs into consideration: hardware and software as
well as his time. But he should do so realistically, and not using grossly
inflated numbers.

 

[Phisherman]

I checked out my two-year old Pentium 4 computer with a 3GHz Intel CPU and
2GB of RAM using Microsoft's Vista Advisor program to see if my computer was
ready for Vista. The answer is that it will cost $890 to replacement the
components that are not Vista ready. These items are - $100 for the Vista
version of Norton SystemWorks (NSW); $200 for a new video card to replace
the video components which are part of my Intel motherboard; $200 to replace
my Epson desktop scanner; $80 to replace my Microsoft keyboard and mouse;
$50 to replace my Nero DVD software; and $20 to replace my Total Recorder
software. Plus the basic cost of $240 for the Home Premium edition of
Windows Vista. Even if I were to buy a new computer with Vista already
installed, I still would need to spend another $270 to replace NSW, the
scanner, and the two software programs (Nero and Total Recorder). I can't
see that Vista's worth it!

Not worth the "upgrade" here either.

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

Greetings Ken & thank you for your response.

I should have replied to original post. My bad!

Software can nix the project. If Lotus doesnt have Vista version of
Organizer, I cant upgrade.

I would use 50% of his hardware costs as an upperbound on what I'd
spend. Most items I can wait 4 a sale.

Took me 6 wks to get everything in ME into XP plus some upgrades like
80GB FAT to 160GB NTFS & since DOS doesnt run on NTFS, using BartPE 4
emergencies. Just checking all drivers took days. Tweaks(~70) were a
pain too.

I plan to pass on Vista

I would never ask you 'Do you know the time' but instead 'What time is
it'

Comments/suggestions/corrections appreciated.
Thanks- bye- Larry

Nope, I wasn't forgetting about the value of his time. I didn't address the
value of his time because all I did was respond to the greatly inflated
number ($890) for upgraded hardware and software he asserted.

It may cost him some money to upgrade to Vista, but there's no reason for
him to have to spend anywhere near $890 for hardware and software upgrades.

The value of his time is a another issue. It's an important issue, but a
completely separate one from what he asserted in the message I answered.

Whether he upgrades to Vista or not is his decision, and before making it,
he should take all the costs into consideration: hardware and software as
well as his time. But he should do so realistically, and not using grossly
inflated numbers.

Any advice is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.