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Vista confusion may aid Mac OS X

updated 04:30 pm EST, Mon February 5, 2007

Confusion to aid Mac OS X?


Microsoft's recently-released Windows Vista -- which some industry watchers claim to be a blatant copy of Apple's Mac OS X operating system -- could end up helping the Cupertino-based company accumulate market share. Digit reports that Microsoft is losing consumer operating system market share to Apple for numerous reasons, with complication serving as the primary factor. Microsoft chose to release a total of 10 versions of Windows Vista at launch, confusing customers and experts alike about the differences between the various editions. Upgrade versions of Vista are "poison," according to Digit, because the requirements for each edition vary and demand an existing installation of Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Users hoping to reinstall Windows Vista on a freshly-formatted hard drive are forced to install Windows twice, and future hardware configurations may fail to support Windows XP to render the Vista upgrade versions useless.

What's more, users upgrading to Windows Vista are agreeing to no longer use the software they upgraded from, as stated in Microsoft Vista's End User License Agreement (EULA):

"Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from."

Additionally, users who lost or were never provided with installation disks for their PCs are forced to purchase the more expensive Windows Vista full edition -- rather than simply upgrading -- once they reformat or otherwise remove their previous Windows installation.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. gambit23

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2004

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    02/05, 04:59pm | report spam | Reply |

    You know....

    The best part about this Vista launch has been sitting back and watching Windows users going at it. hehe

  1. scottnichol

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 1999

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    02/05, 05:04pm | report spam | Reply |

    just as easy

    they keep saying, "but windows is just as easy as the mac!" this just proves that MS doesn't have a clue how to make things easier for the consumer.

  1. fds

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2004

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    02/05, 05:18pm | report spam | Reply |

    going at it?

    And what Windows user you saw who cared about Vista? They are Windows users precisely because they don't care. They'll have Vista when it's pre-installed on the next computer they buy.

  1. nativeNYer

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2005

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    02/05, 05:18pm | report spam | Reply |

    re: just as easy

    I'm sure if Microsoft really really REALLY wanted to, they could make upgrading a PC to Vista relatively easy. The reason it is not, is because of one simple thing- GREED! Microsoft is obviously NOT rich enough for their likes, so they came out with this convoluted 10 versions of Vista. It's on purpose. They're hoping that most users will just end up buying the full blown Ultimate Vista or whatever stupid name they gave it, rather than attempt to unravel the complexity involved in knowing which of the upgrades or lesser versions they can buy. Y'see, it's just easier to pay MS full price and be done with it.

    Actually, it's easier to switch to a Mac, and that's exactly what the industry analysts are saying. Why struggle to understand this stupid labrynth of releasaes from MS. Just get a Mac and know you have the full version. No crippled Home edition. No need to have a previous version installed or hold on to old disks, etc.

    Way to go Microsoft!

  1. smitch

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2005

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    02/05, 05:25pm | report spam | Reply |

    it actually is possible..

    to shoot yourself in one foot at a time and not just simultaneously (how's it feel to do that only MS knows)

  1. JulesLt

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2005

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    02/05, 05:48pm | report spam | Reply |

    Had it happen with XP

    My last PC ended up as a brick precisely because it had been upgraded enough the original OEM install no longer worked, and of course an XP upgrade is just that. Ended up donating to a school.

  1. beetleboy

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Jun 2000

    0
    02/05, 06:03pm | report spam | Reply |

    no surprise about Vista

    I remember when XP first arrived on the scene and you could upgrade from Windows 98 SE. From what I can remember too, you could also upgrade from 95 to 98 as well. Vista is supposed to be totally new, correct? If this is true, then why is this supposedly "new" OS a direct descendant of Windows 95. The code is really old and insecure. I can't believe that Microsoft is toting Vista as some great breakthrough in ease.

  1. horvatic

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2002

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    02/05, 07:20pm | report spam | Reply |

    Not Surprised

    Well this was no surprise now was it. To many versions with no real separation as to what each version can and can't do. Then there is the extreme cost of shelling out $400 to get everything is rediculous. OSX $129 1 version does everything for the client. OSX server 1 version does everything for the server side. Makes it real easy and straight forward. What a concept!

  1. hardcat1970

    Grizzled Veteran

    Joined: May 2000

    0
    02/05, 08:32pm | report spam | Reply |

    who cares

    most people will be using "pirated" vista just like any other windows OS anyway. This is the reason why they prefer windows because they built a cheap box with all pirated softwares.

  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    0
    02/05, 10:47pm | report spam | Reply |

    Nobody reads license

    Absolutely nobody reads a software license - even lawyers - so it is far-fetched to claim that statement would dissuade upgraders.

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