Windows Vista on Notebooks: Why and What Hardware?

[killernotebooks]

MS to cripple pirated VISTA PC's.

Microsoft will cripple PCs running pirated copies of Vista
Posted Oct 4th 2006 2:35PM by Cyrus Farivar
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

We all thought that Microsoft was asking for trouble when the company announced previously that it would be including all the versions of Windows Vista on a single DVD, setting the stage for those in the know to crack the disc and save themselves some cash by installing Ultimate when they likely bought (ok, probably pirated via BitTorrent) a Vista DVD. Well, Microsoft has fired the first salvo in this war on pirates -- according to The Associated Press, the Redmond crew will be taking "much harsher steps to curtail piracy" than in years past. First, the company will "deny access" to some of the "most anticipated features," including Windows Aero, the new GUI. Then, Vista will start issuing ransom demands (we're not kidding about this part), demanding that a legitimate copy be bought within 30 days, or else. What would such consequences entail? How about limiting Web access to an hour at a time? Further, what about not being able to open documents from the desktop or "run other programs such as Outlook e-mail software" ? However, the article goes on to say: "Microsoft said it won't stop a computer running pirated Vista software from working completely, and it will continue to deliver critical security updates." So for those of you keeping score, Microsoft wants to make using your computer as miserable as possible, while keeping it as "safe" as possible, ok? Now, if we were betting types, we'd guess that the odds are pretty favorable that this anti-piracy measure will be defeated just as fast as PlaysForSure was.

 

[Narg]

Such venom...

but, then again, I understand. You can only transfer Vista licenses to another machine ONCE?!? What kinda bull**** is that? 🙁

MS backed off that requirements. You can now transfer basically unlimited as long as you do a few things. I forget what those are. But they are allowing the builders community (basically us Tom's reader types) to build a new computer every few months and transfer the OS to the new computer. Search for it and you'll find the details.

 

[killernotebooks]

Yea, it's pretty sweet with XP when you pull a CD out of a modular bay to put in your second hard drive and the "significant hardware change" requires you to reactivate Windows. MS is out of control!

 

[AdamAnt03]

I read with interest the lengthy intro that Barry the Mobility Guru writer penned which seemed to imply that he only had a "loaner" of the Ferrari laptop. I then couldn't help noticing the trouble he went to in order to pick it up from the freight company at a time when he was ill and then his writing what can only be best described as an advertorial for Vista after picking the machine up. I thought it would be interesting to point out and contribute part of the following artice I read recently about bloggers getting free laptops from Microsoft at

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061227/microsoft-free-ferrari/

I sincerely hope I am just being cynical and can only hope it was a loaner and not a freebie - surely it would be unethical for such a respected site as TomsHardWare or any of its writers to accept it - or at the very least
without disclaiming the fact that the hardware and O/S was a gift from M'soft !!!


"Microsoft hands out Ferrari’s to bloggers
Microsoft together with AMD gave out some timely Christmas presents (which are officially review PCs) to a bunch of bloggers this year. Brandon LeBlanc got one, Scott Beale got one, Mauricio Freitas got one, Mitch Denny got one, Zen.Heavengames got one, Barb Bowman got a media center, plus many other bloggers who has yet to receive it during the Christmas rush. They seem to have covered everyone from A-list to Z-list, a first in the industry with such a valuable gift, kudos for thinking about the little guys.

Some people got Ferrari 1000s, others got 5000s (Some got Media Centers even). The following specs are from the Ferrari 5000.

The machine looks just as good as it specs. As part of Acer’s Ferrari designer computing range, the carbon-fiber case is styled with a slick threaded finish with genuine Ferrari badging and color strips. Just like the racing counterpart, this machine has grunt. It sports an AMD Turion 64 X2 dual-core 2ghz CPU, 2GB of DDR2-667 RAM, AMD-ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 on a 15.4″ widescreen. It also has a 160GB SATA drive, HD-DVD reader and burner as well as a 1.3mp camera. Full specifications available at the Acer website.

Assuming it doesn’t use Sony batteries, this laptop blows everything out of the water. It retails for a hot $2,299. But if you write about Microsoft, they might even give you one for free. Is it ethical? Probably not. Is it worth something to hard-working sweat and tears bloggers? Hell yeah."

 

[killernotebooks]

Adam, I can't tell you how much I love your post on like 12 different levels.

Amazing how an x1600 Turion X2 TL-60 Ferrari

...blows everything out of the water

I'll go ALL IN and a kidneys if it can even touch the jersey of the Executioner on game day.

Benchies

 

[redneckonline]

Vista sucks donkey dick, don't buy it! I am so disappointed. I had winXP home and I thought it was way better. Paint worked way better for editing and uploading photos to internet discussions, and I liked how I could open up files and look at all the files in folders by looking at file thumbnails. Windows sound recorder worked better on XP too, you could open and edit files. Not any more with Vistard.

Microsoft starts releasing Windows Vista on November 30th. Writing from a mobile computing perspective, Guy Thomas and Barry Gerber offer a number of good reasons to switch to Vista and help you make the right decision about running it on existing or new hardware.

 

[smodanwal022]

OR, save the money you would spend on Vista AERO Ultimate and get a PS3 with Cell processor, BluRay DVD, controllers, hard drive, nVidia graphics WITH its own OS for $100 more?!

You can skin XP Pro and have your own homegrown VISTA:
http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/screen74.jpg

Another skin - Vista skin for XP

Send MS a message that an upgrade OS with nothing in it that was promised should be $99!

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