Review: Vista SP1 Refresh 2 6001.1800

R

romanom

I have the latest version of SP1 RC (refresh 2) running for a few days now on
a Home Premium laptop, 2.2 Intel 2 Core, 2GB RAM, Intel965GME
chipset/grahpics and I think it helps.

It's just speculation, but this MAY be very close to the RTM release, there
is no version build listed, no time limit and no watermark.

1. No new features, at least not any new applications or cool options.

2. Speeds up things noticeably, though not dramatically. Quicker file
moving and deleting and applications open up quicker. In addition, the
system is a bit quicker when you have multiple applications and processes
running simutaneously. Vista SP1 seems to use resources more efficiently.

Again nothing dramatic and in my opinion still not worth buying a retail
version of Vista. However, if it comes OEM on a new PC, SP1 makes Vista
acceptable and livable.

3. Have seen no bugs or "buggy" behavior over the last few days, files stay
where they are, sidebar acts normal (gadgets don't reshuffle on start up).
Printers don't install and uninstall all by themselves, etc.

4. I've noticed better graphics also, clear fonts and a bit sharper video
and sound in WMP. It's hard to tell, but sure seems like it to my eye.
Video and music play smoother and don't have the hesitation they used to and
load up in WMP quicker. Photo Gallery seems quicker to load up and switching
between folder and images is very fast, it wasn't really like that before.

For instance, the screensaver I used would sometime freeze for a second, it
hasn't done that since SP1 refresh 2. Getting out of screensaver mode is
instant and the screen doesn't "flash" as it did before.

5. Wireless, networking, bluetooth and seemingly even broadband are
definitely improved. I had issues with connectivity and reliability before,
but the last few days have been flawless. It even seems faster to connect
and transfer, but that may just be an illusion.

6. UAC still stinks, no improvement there. Vista is still in full Nanny mode!

7. Plays much nicer with "non-compatible" programs, such as older pre-Vista
applications. However, this does not mean it will accept older drivers more
readily (all my stuff have Vista drivers).

8. Windows Explorer has not "stopped working" since SP1 refresh 2 and I
haven't had a single freeze or program crash ,except Apple's Quicktime.
Reinstalled Quicktime and all seems fine.

9. Reset indexing options to factory specs, took some time before I noticed.

10. Searching is a little quicker, but I have yet to see a file show up that
I deleted 2 days ago like it used to and it actually finds files. Search
Index stills eats up a good amount of resources.

The "Search" in start menu is still AWOL.

Overall, it's an improvement, but not a huge one. Vista is OK now, likable
and usable, but not a big jump.

To summarize it's closer to what Vista RTM should have been from day 1, I
guess we'll have to wait for SP2 for a revolution. I don't think you'll need
to "downgrade" to XP after SP1, but if it where my money I still wouldn't
"upgrade" to Vista.
 
R

RalfG

Did Search disappear from the start menu with SP1 RC1? It's present here
without the service pack.
 
R

romanom

Yes, it has something to do with a lawsuit brought against MS, so it probably
won't be there in SP1 RTM.

You can get to the screen using Windows Key + F
 
R

RalfG

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