Every few years Microsoft comes out with a new product line and people are in a quandary as to whether or not they need to upgrade to the new software. This year they hit us with Vista and Office 2007, as well as, some new products bundled in. The truth of the matter is that it really depends on how you use your computer and what features are most important to you.

Here we’ll give you some pros and cons of Vista so that you can make a more-informed decision as to what you should do with your computer.

First, some of the pros:

• First for me is the Safety & Security. Vista comes with a bunch of improved security features upgraded from XP including an improved firewall, antiphishing filter, and Windows Defender. Vista also has additional services such as the User Account Controls that help prevent unauthorized activities and a well-defined parental controls section complete with detailed reporting options to keep you informed of what your kids are doing online. For advanced users, Vista has incorporated a slew of new group policy features and the Business and Ultimate editions of Vista also include Bitlocker encryption for added security.

• Sleek New Look & Features. Vista has a new interface called Aero Glass that gives it a clean and exciting new look. Vista also incorporates a new sidebar on the desktop that is easily configured by the user with their choice of any number of convenient items such as a larger clock, a calendar, weather, news streams, stock prices, exchange rates, or search tools to name a few. If you switched windows using the ALT +Tab keys in previous versions of Windows, then you will love the new 3-D rolodex-type view when you do it in Vista. If you are the kind of user that often opens numerous browser or other program windows and then cannot remember which one is which, you’ll love the live thumbnail views when you hover your mouse over the window tabs on the taskbar.

• Memory on the Fly. Vista has a cool new feature that will give the user some added performance in a crunch. ReadyBoost allows the user to insert a USB Flash drive or other flash or smart media device and assign it for use as a prefetch device that will improve your computer’s performance without expensive hardware upgrades. Other features also work to give more resources to your most-used programs allowing them to launch quicker and perform better.

• New & Improved Performance and Diagnostic Features. Fragmented files in Windows computers used over time are one of the leading causes of performance slow down. By default, Vista will automatically run hard drive defragmentation on a regular basis, keeping your hard drive storage organized and optimized. Other tools and diagnostics give the user easy-to-understand scoring and graphs that help them understand potential problems. There are also improved solutions options that help you find answers to potential problems immediately when they occur.

• Networking. Vista comes with easier-to-interpret network tools that allow for more dependable networking. Graphical tools allow the user to see a map of all the computers on their local network and solve connection issues with built-in diagnostics.

• DirectX 10. If you’re a computer gamer, then Vista is a must. DirectX is a group of application programming interfaces (API’s) built to improve the multimedia performance with multimedia programs such as games. DirectX 10 is the latest version, and the word is it will only be available with Vista.

• Better Searching Capabilities. Vista has a new search engine located on the Start Menu and on the folder windows. The search has instant search capabilities and begins searching as you are typing the search terms into the search fields. Depending on your typing ability, often you will have your results before you are even finished typing the search terms. You can also save your search results in a virtual folder allowing you to easily manage the collected results.

Next, some of the cons:

• Time to Learn New System. The basic logic of Vista is similar enough to XP that you can usually figure out where the features you are looking for reside, but the layout is also different enough that it will take the average user a little time to become a fluid user.
• Your Hardware May Not Be Able To Fully Handle Vista. The ne graphics in Vista are cool, but if video card is a few years old, you’re not going to get the full effect of Vista without an upgrade. If your video card is not up to snuff, you will usually still be able to run Vista, but the system will run itself in a basic mode.
• Laptop Battery Power Strain. Vista has some cool power management features, however, at the same time, some of Vista’s new features could cause you to use up your battery power in record time. So, if your frequently on long distance flights and you want your power to last, you’ll need to turn off the 3D features and run the system in a Basic mode to make the power last.
• The User Account Controls are Annoying. To help protect you from malware and spyware, Microsoft instituted the User Account Controls scheme. Whenever any software is attempting to install on your computer, pop-ups appear requesting permission and the desktop windows go dim and do not return until you address the pop-ups. You can turn off this feature, but then you also lose some of the protection. The process also occurs if you receive a message from a network device such as a printer out of paper. While it is understandable why this feature exists, annoying never-the-less.
• Some Programs and Components Not Compatible. If you have used a program for a long time that you like and rely on and want to continue to use, you may not be able to use it on Vista. One client had a fax program they used and liked for years, but the program is incompatible with Vista, so to continue to use it, they needed to keep an XP machine running. There are other solutions that do work on Vista, but if you are really attached to a particular program, before you make the switch, you need to find out if the program is compatible.
• Cost. As with any upgrade, change, or new purchase, cost is always a factor. The cost of Vista is really where we might have expected. However, the added costs of upgrading hardware and software make the move too costly for some.

Overall, Vista is a nice step up from XP once you get used to the new layout. For more information on whether your computer is ready for Vista, you can go to : Microsoft Vista Upgrade