Review Rated Top Ten: Software: Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1

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July 9, 2008

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Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1

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List Price: ~~$339.99~~
Buy New: $180.00
You Save: $159.99 (47%)
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Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

(based on 86 reviews)
Sales Rank: 117
Category: Software

Publisher: Microsoft Software
Studio: Microsoft Software
Brand: Microsoft
Label: Microsoft Software
Format: Cd-rom
Platform: Windows Vista
Media: DVD-ROM
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.2 x 1.6

MPN: 66R-02261
Model: 66R-02261
UPC: 882224661492
EAN: 0882224661492
ASIN: B0013O77GM

Release Date: March 19, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

•	Mobility-based operating system meets all your computing needs whether you're working from home, working on the road, or searching for entertainment options
•	Combines all the features of a business-focused operating system, all the efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system
•	Remotely connect to business networks; Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption provides improved levels of protection against theft for your important business data whether you are at home, on the road, or in the office
•	Delivers all of the entertainment features available in Windows Vista Home Premium; includes everything you need to enjoy the latest in digital photography, music, movies, analog TV, or even HDTV
•	Ideal for both business and home entertainment use

Accessories:

•	Microsoft Outlook 2007
•	Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007
•	Microsoft Office Accounting Professional 2008
•	Windows Live OneCare 2.0
•	Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager

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•	VMware Fusion
•	Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 FULL VERSION [DVD]
•	Microsoft Windows XP Professional FULL VERSION with SP2
•	Microsoft Office Professional 2007 FULL VERSION
•	Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac (Intel Mac)

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
The most complete choice for your business just got better.Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 helps you focus on what matters the most: you, your business, and your customers. Special enhancements and security protocols help make this Vista truly ultimate. This is the most complete edition of Windows Vista - with the power, security, and mobility features that you need for work with fun entertainment features. Windows Vista Ultimate has an advanced, business-focused infrastructure, mobile productivity, and a premium home digital entertainment experience, all in one box. It combines all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium (like Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker) and Windows Vista Business (like business networking, centralized management tools, and advanced system backup features). It also has all of the security and data protection features that you need. Found only in the Ultimate edition are Windows Ultimate Extras, add-ons that extend the capabilities of your system including:

Windows Defender & Windows Firewall - safeguard your PC against security threats Easier use of a PC with Windows Tablet & Touch Technology - pen-and-ink functionality, improved navigation, improved handwriting recognition & built-in touch screen support Collaborate & share documents with Windows Meeting Space Enjoy Windows Media Center on your TV with Xbox 360 & other devices Business networking connectivity with Networking Center & Remote Desktop

System Requirements 800 MHz processor & 512 MB of system memory 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space Super VGA graphics support

If you want a single PC that fulfills all of your work, travel, and entertainment needs, Windows Vista Ultimate is the system for you.

Amazon.com
Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 is the choice for those who want to have it all. Easily shift between the worlds of productivity and play with the most complete edition of Windows Vista. Ultimate provides the power, security, and mobility features needed for work, and all the entertainment features that you want for fun.

Compare Windows Vista editions.

Use Instant Search to quickly find the information you need. View larger.

Windows Vista Aero provides spectacular visual effects such as glass-like interface elements that you can see through.

The redesigned Windows Media Center in Windows Vista lets you enjoy your media throughout your home, even on your Xbox 360. View larger.

Improved Reliability and Performance
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 and improvements delivered by hardware and software partners increase the reliability, performance, and compatibility of Windows Vista-based PCs.

With Windows Vista with SP1, many of the most common causes of operating system crashes and hangs have been addressed. Windows Vista includes new, innovative technologies that help pinpoint and diagnose issues reported anonymously by Windows Vista-based PCs from millions of users who have elected to have their PC send us system information.

Windows Vista with SP1 supports a number of important new technology standards, so it will keep making your PC easier and more enjoyable to use for years to come.

The most complete edition of Windows Vista--with the power, security, and mobility features that you need for work, and all of the entertainment features that you want for fun
When you want to have it all, including the ability to shift smoothly between the worlds of play and productivity, there's Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1. You'll never have to worry about having the most advanced capabilitiesNthey're all here. This edition of Windows Vista offers an advanced, business-focused infrastructure, mobile productivity, and a premium home digital entertainment experience, all in a single offering.

Specifically, Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium, including Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker. It also offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Business, including business networking, centralized management tools, and advanced system backup features. And Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 has all of the new security and data protection features that help take Windows Vista to a whole new level of dependability.

In addition, Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 includes support for all of the new mobility features in Windows Vista, including Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, Windows SideShow, Windows Mobility Center, and other new, advanced mobility features.

Exclusive to Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 are Windows Ultimate Extras. Windows Ultimate Extras are add-ons that extend certain capabilities of your operating system or just make using your PC more fun. Windows Ultimate Extras currently available include:

Windows DreamScene, an Extra that enables you to use looped, full-motion video as your desktop wallpaper instead of a static image
Windows Hold'em, a poker game for players of all skill levels
Language packs for Windows multi-language interface, where users can install and use multiple languages on a single PC. Great for multi-lingual households or if you are learning a new language.
Secure Online Key Backup, where Ultimate users can store their BitLocker recovery password and Encrypting File System certificate on Windows Marketplace's Digital Locker website for access to the key anytime, anyplace, and from any computer that has an Internet connection
BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool, an automated tool which removes the complexity of setting up your PC to use this exclusive data security feature.

Whenever a new Windows Ultimate Extra is ready for distribution by Microsoft, you will see the Ultimate Extra control panel inform you that there are new extras to download. Simply download and install the Extras and begin enjoying these exclusive software and services that give your Windows Vista experience an extra lift!

If you want a single PC that fulfills all of your work, travel, and entertainment needs, or if you simply want to be confident that you have the very best, Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 is the no-compromise edition for you.

Windows Sidebar gives you quick access to gadgets like picture slide shows, Windows Media Player controls, or news headlines. You pick the gadgets you want to see in Windows Sidebar. View larger.

Use Flip 3D to navigate through open windows using the scroll wheel on your mouse. View larger.

Safety
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 helps protect your family and your personal information from threats from malicious software and phishing scams and helps you keep your PC backed-up and running smoothly.

Parental Controls help parents keep children safer while using PCs through convenient tools to manage and monitor children's computer use, access to websites, and ability to play certain games and use certain applications.

PCs running Windows Vista are 60% less likely to be infected with viruses, worms and rootkits than PCs running Windows XP SP2.

Windows Internet Explorer 7 helps protect your PC and your personal information against malicious software, fraudulent websites, and online phishing scams. New phishing attacks are more than 25 times as common as new viruses, and over 20,000 fraudulent phishing websites are created every month. Internet Explorer 7 is now blocking nearly one million inadvertent attempts to access fake phishing sites per week.

Help defend your PC against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software with Windows Defender. Windows Defender in Windows Vista automatically scans Internet Explorer 7 downloads to help bring spyware to your attention before it can infect your computer.

More easily back-up the content on your PC--including digital photos, music, movies, and documents--with Scheduled and Network Backup.

If you have serious PC problems, Complete PC Backup and Restore makes it easier to restore your PC by not only backing up all your files, but also the entire operating system and all of your applications.

Help ensure that the data on your computer stays confidential, even if your PC is lost or stolen. windows BitLocker Drive Encryption provides full-volume encryption and boot integrity monitoring (alerting you if someone has tampered with your PC).

Entertainment
Windows Vista with SP1 is more entertaining. With Windows Media Center, you can enjoy your digital photos and music on your TV as well as on your PC. And it can turn your PC into a digital video recorder, so you can record TV and watch it on your schedule, not theirs.

Sit back and enjoy recorded TV, photos, music, home videos, games and DVDs from the comfort of your couch with Windows Media Center.

Access and project your TV, music, photos, and movies to any room in your house using an Xbox 360 console connected to your wired or wireless home network. It's like having your Media Center PC wherever you have an Xbox 360!

Author and burn movies, photos, and music to DVDs you can play on your PC or a DVD player with Windows DVD Maker.

Live the game! It's easier for you to find, play, and manage your games with GAMES EXPLORER. Games Explorer provides detailed information including when you last played, game genre, and rating of your games. With DirectX 10, play vivid and engaging games with unrivalled realism. Also, use the same game controller with both your PC and your Xbox 360 system.

Ease
It's easier and faster than ever to find, use, manage and share the information on your PC or on the Web with Windows Vista with SP1.

Most Windows Vista-based PCs boot in less than a minute, which can be an improvement over Windows XP boot times.

The Windows Vista sleep and resume features can bring your PC to life in a snap. The vast majority of Windows Vista-based PCs resume from sleep in less than six seconds.

See everything you're working on more clearly with Windows Aero and quickly switch between windows or tasks using Windows Flip 3D.

Find it fast! Simply type something about a file, picture, or song, such as a word contained in a document or e-mail message, the artist of a song, or the date a picture was taken, and Instant Search will bring back any matches instantly.

Organize a lifetime of photos and movies with ease using Windows Photo Gallery. Tag your photos by date, keyword, star rating or any identifying label you choose--so you can find them anytime you want them.

Display live information, like weather, stocks, and news, directly on your desktop with easy-to-use Gadgets and Windows Sidebar.

View multiple web pages simultaneously with Quick Tabs in Windows Internet Explorer 7.

Get up and running faster than ever with Windows Easy Transfer that automatically copies your files and settings from your old PC.

Mobility
With special features to help you go mobile, Windows Vista with SP1 makes computing and connecting away from home or the office easier than ever.

Work the way you want with touch and digital input and handwriting. Tablet and Touch Technology makes your notebook PC experience truly personal.

Set up a wireless network at home with Network and Sharing Center--so you can experience the freedom of working virtually anywhere in your home. Then easily find and join a wireless network at your favorite hotspot--so you can stay productive wherever you go.

Optimize your power and mobil settings centrally with Windows Mobility Center.

Easily sync and manage your music, contacts and pictures across your devices and other PCs with Sync Center.

Share your desktop or any program with Windows Meeting Space. Co-edit documents, and pass notes in class, a favorite hotspot, or where no network exists.

Customer Reviews: Read 81 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Works great, looks good July 7, 2008
Best things:
Instance search - Can start typing in a program and it makes it easy to find what I'm looking for
Media Center - Connects with my Xbox 360 for sharing media great
Gadgets - Neat way to view traffic/weather/personal pictures
Aero - User interface looks pretty slick and cool
Solutions - When something breaks (video card has crashed several times for me), it will tell you which component broke and also will give potential solutions

Not so great things:
Can actually run on older hardware (Have installed on 5+ year old laptop), but when done so it lacks the cool aero effects
Needs 1Gb of RAM to function well
User access control is a bit annoying (asks you when you want to install something). However, I found that after I got my system first set up I rarely see that prompt

Overall, I like it quite a bit. I wouldn't run XP if I had the hardware to do an upgrade, although I would say that I would just buy a new computer rather then perform an upgrade.

3 out of 5 stars

Microsoft Still Has Further to Go July 5, 2008
While my husband and I have enjoyed getting some of the latest gadgets and software, operating systems have not been one of the items we were willing to try as soon as they came out. The first versions of past Windows operating systems have always fallen short, only require service packs to fix their shortcomings. Usually the first or second service pack bring the operating system closer to what it should have been upon release. That's why I was looking forward to getting Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1.

Yet, I still find that Windows Vista has a ways to go even after the first service pack. While it seems to be reasonably stable - I have had fewer crashes with this software that with the completely up to date Windows XP Professional that was up there before - but there are still some irritants and problems. First, there is the constant request for permission to complete operations I initiated, which, while I am sure I can disable, I never think of at a convenient time. Second, I have a Microsoft keyboard with fingerprint reader to automate password entry for certain websites and to log onto the computer and it is not supported in Windows Vista, even though the keyboard is relatively new. Third, I cannot get Yahoo! Music to install, giving an error saying in effect that Windows XP or later is required. (Hopefully, Yahoo! Music's merger with Rhapsody will resolve this). Fourth, my laser printer (HP 1012) doesn't have a driver for (and thus does not work with) Windows Vista. Finally, even with much more than the required memory, the system still seems to run quite slow.

All in all, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 might be worth getting if you have the a new system with the latest hardware, a lot of memory, and no older programs that are important to you. To me, it doesn't seem worth spending the money to upgrade to Windows Vista at this time - maybe with the next Service Pack.

1 out of 5 stars

Watch what you get July 3, 2008
Amazon apparently either doesn't know or doesn't care about the differences between 32-bit vs 64-bit, OEM vs retail, and who knows what else because they lump all these categories together in big listings like this one, with no indication what you're going to get when you open the box--if yours came with a box, which incidentally mine didn't.
I followed a link to this page from an old retail version I was viewing. The link said this version was newer. I scoured the page for any details about 32/64 bit, and whether it was OEM...all there was was a picture of a box of Windows Vista Ultimate--with multiple product images to view! so I figured that's what would be coming in the mail.
Wrong. I got "promotional" (read: OEM) 32-bit only DVDs in paper sleeves, no box at all. Gee Amazon, thanks for the lovely pics though.
I guess they really don't know the difference, otherwise why not have these listed under different product categories according to type.

4 out of 5 stars

It's better than you think (and I'm a Mac user) June 25, 2008
Windows Vista Ultimate (now at SP1) has gotten a LOT of bad press. Yes, some of this negative press has been earned. There are good things here though. The best feature about Vista is an important one, security. Microsoft actually maintains a blog about Vista security. One post there really convinced me that security alone is reason to move from XP to Vista if you're going to stay in the Windows world. (http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsvistasecurity/archive/2008/01/23/windows-vista-security-one-year-later.aspx)

I'm a Mac user though, and I've got Vista running very well on my machine. Like it or not, there are times even Mac people want to run some Window's software and I've got an entire internal hard drive dedicated to Vista. My personal set up has been to install Vista using BootCamp on a 2nd hard drive in my MacPro. I've done this because it gives me the option to run Vista and give it the full power the hardware will provide.

The majority of the time I use Vista though is through VMWare Fusion. This allows me to run my Windows environment without needing to leave my Macintosh environment. Vista is just another window on my desktop. It works really well. This is how I load maps onto my GPS device and do the accounting for my business in QuickBooks Pro, since the Windows version seems to be superior.

Good things:
Security is much stronger than in XP.
It's got a nice looking interface.

Bad things:
It is does run slower than Windows XP when running on the same machine, probably due to the nice looking interface I gave as a "good" thing.
Start up time for the OS seems pretty long.
I've got the "Ultimate" version of Vista but choosing which version of Vista to buy seems far too confusing.

The software license for Vista Ultimate edition does allow for running the software under emulation, so if you plan on doing a similar thing as I do, such as running Vista on your Mac, with Vista Ultimate you can definitely do that. I haven't tried "lesser" versions running on a Mac, but I'm sure you can find information about that online.

3 out of 5 stars

Is Vista finally ready for primetime? June 19, 2008
As an IT Specialist, I want the best version of an OS possible - hence my choice of the Ultimate edition of Vista. I spent a couple of months working with Microsoft Vista Ultimate SP1 in end-user mode. First, I did two clean installs on the same PC (HP Compaq 7800 with 4GB of RAM, onboard video/audio/Ethernet, DVD drive, and 150GB SATA hard disk), and each time Vista loaded quickly and without a hitch. In both instances I easily achieved Internet connectivity using the PC's onboard Ethernet and downloaded the available updates from Microsoft's website. After the second OS install I activated Vista via the Internet right at the 30-day deadline, added Office 2003, "upgraded" the video card to a stodgy 128MB GForce FX 5500 PCI, and put on Doom 3 just for fun. Then I used the Vista PC for typical stuff, like surfing the web, doing email with Internet Explorer 7 (love the tabbed browsing), tapping MS Office for some basic tasks, and (ahem) spending some quality time testing Doom 3. Finally, I installed an HP Deskjet 5650 printer via USB. Vista SP1 handled all this stuff with a minimum of hassle.

Even so, I had some minor run-ins with the OS. First and foremost, I don't like being prompted multiple times to make sure I want to install a program. Thankfully, that annoyance is easily corrected using the User Account Control under the User Accounts icon in the Control Panel. On the other hand, I appreciated it when Vista warned me that an older program (for example, Nero OEM Suite 3) had known compatibility issues with the OS, and offered to look for online solutions. And Vista SP1 even had drivers for the video card and deskjet printer I mentioned above. But I was forced to hit HP's web site to download sound drivers for the onboard audio...on another PC, since using the Autodetect function via IE crashed the browser on Vista, thus forcing me to get the install file using an XP PC and then copy it over with a flash drive. In addition, I had to download two driver install packages from HP to get rid of yellow question marks in Device Manager on some PCI devices. These issues aside, Vista Ultimate SP1 pretty much did what I told it to do. So what's not to love?

Despite my success in creating a usable desktop, there doesn't seem to be any compelling reason for me to adopt Vista. I support Windows XP SP2 in an enterprise-wide environment, and it's the platform for the various applications I use to manage my daily workflow. The six-year-old Gateway PC I gave to my brother still functions well enough with Windows XP, even though I've had to reinstall everything from scratch a couple of times due to the software mayhem wrought by his two sons. For my own computing needs at home I've relied upon a Macintosh iBook G4 running OS X Tiger since 2004. It's been more or less bulletproof, and it works great with Office 2004, my 4GB iPod Nano, and my 8GB iPhone - the best cell phone I've ever owned, by the way (NOTE: Last week my iBook's hard drive crashed, so I replaced it with a new MacBook laptop running OS X Leopard. It seems that even Macs aren't immortal...).

With all this in mind, who would benefit from any flavor of Vista SP1? Frankly, there's no real reason to upgrade unless you lust for the cutting edge (which can also be the bleeding edge, if you get my drift), or you have a killer app/game that requires Vista. Corporate and end-user rebellion against Vista has forced Microsoft to extend its support for Windows XP. Indeed, my employers will hang onto Windows XP until Vista adoption becomes a business necessity. Even so, one can't become complacent in the IT field. I'm working with Vista now to get familiar with it, and also to gear up for yet another Microsoft certification test (I've been a Microsoft MCP since the Windows 95/NT days, and have also earned the MCSA and MCDST certs in years past). If I was still a PC nut, the release of SP1 would've been my signal to adopt Vista. But my Windows XP install CD wouldn't leave my sight, and a solid Vista-compatible anti-virus program would be the first program installed.

However, Vista's problematic debut made a bad first impression in the IT and end-user worlds that may have crippled it for life. Yes, I was able to get Vista Ultimate SP1 working with no real angst, and I could see myself adopting it if I was the Microsoft devotee and PC gamer that I used to be years ago. You could do the same; according to a PC Magazine podcast in February 2008, SP1 adds around 15,000 new drivers, increases USB data transfer rates, and fixes some security issues. And more and more updates and vendor device drivers are becoming available online. But it may be too little, too late. The massive PR damage has most likely relegated Vista to the role of a Windows Me-style stopgap until Microsoft comes out with its Next Big OS That You Can't Live Without. Too late for me though. I've made the move to Macintosh, and I have no plans to switch back. So I'll save Vista Ultimate SP1 for my next PC - if I ever get one.

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