Windows Vista pros and cons

By Robert Vamosi on 13 June 2006

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Windows Vista cons

On this page, you'll learn about the new features within the Windows Vista operating system that I think you won't like. If you're mainly interested in what's good with the new operating system, move to the previous page, where you can learn more about features I can't live without.

1. Your current hardware won't fully run Vista
Get ready for the media blitz. Get ready for the frustration. While many computers in use today will be able to update and run the new operating system, they'll be able to run it only in what Microsoft slyly calls Windows Vista Basic. That means while you'll have the ability to search files, you won't have 3D Aero graphics, live animation along the Taskbar, or smooth streaming graphics on your desktop. Unless you buy a new PC sometime in 2007, or add a high-end video card and some extra memory to your current PC, you probably won't get the full visual Vista experience.
2. Vista's Aero graphics gobble up laptop battery power
If you're used to your laptop lasting on a long, cross-country flight, you might want to reconsider upgrading to Windows Vista — that is, if you want the new Aero graphics features turned on. In our tests, a laptop running Windows Vista Aero had significantly reduced battery life compared to one running in what Microsoft calls Windows Vista Basic. You'll sacrifice the 3D and smooth streaming of video, but you'll make it to your destination with some battery power to spare. Unfortunately, changing from Aero to Basic is harder than it should be.
3. User Account Protection
The User Account Protection feature has already gotten a ton of negative press. While I understand what Microsoft is trying to do — protect the user from rogue software installs -- I don't think the company has figured it out yet. In order to perform basic tasks, such as install or remove an application, even administrator account users must answer a series of pop-up messages, adding time to the process. Worse, whenever you are prompted to respond, the whole Vista desktop goes dark while the pop-up message remains on the screen, preventing you from doing anything else. While this feature can be valuable if rogue spyware attempts to install without your permission, good Internet behaviour will do as much. For most of us, the frequent appearance of User Account Protection on common tasks will be security overkill.
4. Missing drivers and incompatible apps
Not having all the necessary drivers or not having software compliant with a new operating system is to be expected in the beta of a new operating system, but even after several months of developer testing, I was surprised to see a number of common drivers still missing from the public beta for Windows Vista. For example, I had to manually import several Acer TravelMate 8200 drivers from a Windows XP partition on the same drive.
5. Troubled sleep
Microsoft claims that it has addressed the complicated issue of whether to put your laptop to sleep or have it hibernate when it is not in use. Instant Off, a new option on the Start menu, allows Windows Vista to take a quick snapshot of your system, then shut down completely, thus eliminating the occurrence of a hot laptop inside your backpack. After experiencing several false starts -- literally, I was unable to resume my Windows Vista session as I'd left it -- I discovered through Vista's Performance Ratings and Tools report that several legacy drivers, some installed by Vista during installation, were preventing the new Instant Off feature from performing correctly. Vista politely asked that I find updated drivers to replace those on my machine or remove them. I suspect a lot of people will encounter this problem in the months immediately following Vista's full release.

Topics: windows, os, pros, cons, operating system, vista

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Comments (48)

  • chaucolai commented on 08/12/2009 18:19

    I recently bought a Vista laptop off Trademe (NZ) as it was cheap, with the school holidays coming up I need it as I can't keep stealing my mothers! I read this article to see whether I needed to go into full out job search mode to upgrade to 7 or whether the need to upgrade could be put on the backburner. I found it very useful, especially as it actually compared the cons & pros. I think that I will slowly save up for 7, but for now Vista should be okay. When the laptop arrives, of course.

  • jon commented on 18/11/2009 00:49

    Really i think that you should use windows seven they took vista and fixed most of the cons of vista

  • vista commented on 11/09/2009 18:55

    in general , windows vista is much better than xp

  • gangrel commented on 15/07/2009 15:21

    yes we all know that xp will be obsolete soon,but it would be nice if vista was compatable with xp so we can get the to handle tranaction a lot faster and easier at the moment I find vasta NOT user friendly so it is
    harder for someone of my age to move on so to get over it have some compastion for the older generation OR AS WE GET OLDER WE ARE NOT SUPPOSE USE COMPUTERS unless they are 3188's or older

  • forro005 commented on 16/06/2009 05:19

    First of al, i would like to great all of the intervenients. Just to tell you that I agree on some and disagree in other points about some comments. The reason why is because, I also am using windows vista and had great moments with it and also had less conforatble moment with it. The only fact is that Vista will take place one day and XP and all other will just get old and die. I would suggest instead to start investigating it a little deeper.

  • lgjpage commented on 31/12/2008 07:55

    Having similar problems as mentioned in above comments : While typing my cursor will disappear, and sometimes it moves and startes typing into my sentences above. Also sometimes when I backspace, it takes me from the page I am typing on to the previous page, or while typing it will move down the page on it's own.

  • armf17249 commented on 15/12/2008 16:53

    After reading all the coments ,I think widows vistia and all the ones before sucks I'm useing XP PROFESSIONAL witch i uninstall and start useing MAC SYSTEUM wich out strips widows so anyone out there go for the MAC OPERATING SYSTUM WITICH IS MUCH BETTER.

  • jgates00 commented on 27/11/2008 07:23

    Any respectable IT person knows Vista is a hunk of junk for now. No large corporations use it, in fact most have made contracts that Microsoft provide Windows 7 immediately on release. Most corporations have not and will not install Vista. And yes you are wrong most games and programs are incompatible if they are more then a year old. If you go to Vista get ready to purchase all your programs again. These words come from experience and knowledge.

  • dirtdragon51 commented on 21/11/2008 03:00

    I agrre the Windows Vista is a great operating system when it comes to safty and popup features, but what i disagree on is that many games and programs are not compatable with the system. This makes it all pointless,

  • STR8KRAZY commented on 15/10/2008 09:33

    I don't think I hate Vista, as a matter of fact I've never used it in-depth, only temporarily while using my brother's Vista running laptop. I didn't see any problems with it then, only sharper icons and window previews before restoring my program from the task bar. However, I still do not wish to upgrade to Vista, because it does have higher system requirements, and my computer simply isn't high grade enough to have high enough upgrades to match the requirements of some programs I would like to run. That, and there's the ever present money issue. I'm sure I'll upgrade to Vista or the next operating system the next time I get a computer that can run it more efficiently, however for now, XP is here to stay.

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