NPR: Many Find Microsoft's Vista Disappointing

Many Find Microsoft's Vista Disappointing

Over the weekend, my wife turned to me as yet another program failed to load properly on our new PC outfitted with Microsoft's Vista operating system. "Is there any way we can get rid of this piece of junk?" she asked for the umpteenth time.

My wife, a Mac user, seldom has any kind words for PCs. But I find myself in agreement with her on Vista. Many of our kids' computer games don't work on it, drivers for particular programs don't seem to install, printers won't work properly and the machine freezes in ways that my old XP-running desktops don't.

Microsoft is aware of customer dissatisfaction with Vista. Wendy Kaufman reports for Morning Edition that the company has pushed back the date when Windows users must use Vista on new machines by several months, from January 2008 to the end of June. All versions of XP will continue to be available until then. A Microsoft spokesman said the company wants Windows users to "make the move when they're ready."

Which seems to be corporate-speak for "Just give us a few months to try and fix it."

Technology expert Chris Pirillo writes on his eponymous blog, "Do I recommend Windows Vista? Not a snowball's chance in ... I'm waiting on Apple to release Mac OS X Leopard. As far as I'm concerned at this point, Microsoft is taking a huge hit."

2:06 PM ET | 10- 1-2007 | permalink

Comments

Anyone who doesn't like Vista should return the computer to the store, and demand a refund. Microsoft will get the message that Vista is CRAP, I assure you!

Sent by Mark Michaels | 2:39 PM ET | 10-01-2007

I am having lot of trouble with Vista.

I tried downloading XP version after I took Vista out but it won't work.

Now I am stuck with Vista and many of my programs does not work.

I am thinking of buying a new PC as the current computer is not working for me.
Will have to spent $1000 for a new PC. A price for tryingout Vista!

Sent by Madhavi | 2:46 PM ET | 10-01-2007

Man. Too bad there's not some alternative that could capitalize on Microsoft's failure ... *cough* *cough* LINUX *cough* Ubuntu *cough*

Sent by *nixlover | 3:15 PM ET | 10-01-2007

Recently bought a Dell with Vista. Like many of you, I now know that Vista is garbage--to all those with a recently purchased Dell with Vista: You can return your computer for free and get XP on it if you do so within 21 days. It was too late for mine, but everybody should do this if they can!

Sent by Anonymous | 3:21 PM ET | 10-01-2007

Golly, Microsoft put out another crappy operating system...who could have expected that?

Rename things, move things, use as much CPU and hard drive as possible, and test nothing...it's the Microsoft way!

Sent by Daryn Guarino | 4:04 PM ET | 10-01-2007

Vista lasted three days on my new computer. I downloaded and installed Ubuntu (it's FREE), and haven't looked back.

If enough Windows users decide that learning a new software system is worth the effort, Microsoft could be in big trouble.

Sent by Andy B | 4:29 PM ET | 10-01-2007

You all do know there is Linux available. No one has to use MS for an OS! I.T. will not be happy because you won't need them anymore. But no more upgrading Peachtree or Quicken - when MS decides to put out a new OS package...
I use xfce and love it, KDE is my fav but using an old ThinkPad so xfce is more mem friendly. You'll need to learn commands but that sure beats calling India everytime you've performed an illegal operation!
Stop rebooting everyday - use Linux!

Sent by Heather Bea - All my heart are belong to you! | 5:21 PM ET | 10-01-2007

Been using vista for several weeks, and it runs like a champ.

Of course, I shelled out the $$$ for the "Ultimate" version . . .

Sent by Jake Woods | 5:35 PM ET | 10-01-2007

i tried loading a linksys wireless card when i first purchased my dell with vista on it. it took about 3 hours. i had to jump thru hoops i never thought of. in xp, it takes about 2 minutes to do. but, i kept at it and i got it to work. there is one problem that i could not fix, and that is when vista goes into sleep mode, the wireless shutsdown. i need to reboot for the wireless card to wake up and find the network. stupid...
thanks.

Sent by et | 5:36 PM ET | 10-01-2007

First of all Chris Pirillo hates Microsoft to begin with so you could have at least asked someone who was remotely partial. Second Vista is what you make of it. Going in everyone knew that there would be problems when upgrading to a new operating system just like there were problems with OS 9 programs working with OS 10. It's not that i mind stories that are skewed toward one opinion, I just hate it when it's passed of as how everyone feels.

Sent by Travis Pope | 6:04 PM ET | 10-01-2007

This weekend I attempted to setup a Lexmark 3500 All-in-One that included the wireless module. I'll couldn't get the 2 Vista laptops I setup to print to it wirelessly. Downloaded Vista ready drivers from Lexmark and still couldn't print from the Vista pc's. Took me all of 10min to setup/print to it from the XP laptop.

Sent by Jeff Lorick | 6:32 PM ET | 10-01-2007

I recently bought a second PC which will only be used by my wife. Fortunately she only uses e-mail and MS Word and isn't computer savvy enough to see the flaws.

The biggest flaw is that this operating system is flat out slow! This is a huge step backwards. Our new PC has the fastest processor of any PC that I've owned to date yet every thing takes longer. This is totally not acceptable.

To be honest, I bought it with Vista so I would have a preview. Now I Know, until they show me something, my main PC and my laptop will have XP for a long long time to come.

Sent by D Kennedy | 8:41 PM ET | 10-04-2007

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