Jan 13, 2007 | blog
I’m just going to give out my recommendation as a blanket statement to everyone. When you start seriously thinking of upgrading to Microsoft’s Windows Vista, simply plan on buying a new computer.
In the long run, you will be much, much happier with the result. Unless you just bought a new computer and have the “coupon” for the Vista upgrade, upgrading aging hardware, migrating your data and dealing with some hard to find drivers will be a painful experience.
So, I strongly recommend just going and buying a new PC when the time is right. Instead of spending additional money on upgrading RAM, disk, video, etc… just put that cash aside for a new computer.
With that said, my second recommendation to go with Vista is to forget desktops. Look at purchasing a laptop instead. Yeah, yeah, yeah this doesn’t accommodate all the gamers out there, but you guys know what you need anyway. I’m talking about the average computer user who is served quite well in the sub $1,000 market for laptops. Trust me, there are literally dozens of options among the 1st and 2nd tier vendors. Laptops are starting to head below $500 now for the low-end, but you’ll find the machine to fill your needs somewhere between $600-$1,000 at this time.
Another option to consider is the latest in mobility, a UMPCs that will provide the utmost in mobile computing convenience.
Just remember that Vista is a new experience, and the slow or troublesome computer you’ve been putting up with will be a great backup web browser, but not a good candidate for a Vista upgrade.
Disagree? Well, let me know in the comments!
Jan 8, 2007 | blog
There is quite a thread of discussion of the upcoming Microsoft Windows Home Server accumulating over at Tailrank. From the little information I’ve found on the device, it is designed to be a central repository at home for files and backups.
Mainly destined to be a media-file storage device, I wonder if this really makes as much sense as everyone thinks it does. Without a simple (as in automatic – not even one click), offsite backup solution that would keep a copy of the consumer’s files in case the server drives failed. Otherwise, the liability of file loss is simply being moved from the PC to another device.
As far as a local cache of extremely large video and audio files, it may be of use for people trying to go “all digital”. It would also me of use to all the users that have any amount of family videos that they want to back up and keep online for viewing.
Personally, I’m not really sold on the idea of a home server – I don’t see the need. Though I will admit that even as little as 8 months ago, I would have thought differently.
What are your thoughts?
Via: Tailrank – Windows Home Server will live in your closet, simplify your life
Jan 4, 2007 | blog
I’m not sure that many would. The biggest use of a home server would be for storing recorded video in its original high-quality state.
Most consumers don’t know what they would need a server for and those that have moved into recording or watching video content are using services like SlingBox or Orb. These types of services allow them to watch live TV over the Internet from anywhere with a broadband connection.
What else would consumers use a server for? Let’s try some ideas:
- Email: No, Yahoo, GMail, Live Mail, and many others have that tied up – why host or store your email anymore?
- Streaming Media: Why, with YouTube, online audio services, iPod/iTunes, and the like would you want to manage all those files and stream them?
- Web Server: Huh, all the free blogging services, hosting services and such – even the fee-based services are cheap! Why bother with managing a server?
- IM: Nope, GTalk, Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc… is where your friends are. Not “Bob’s Messenger” with you and your mom.
Well, I can’t come up with much more in the time I have, but you get the drift. A year ago, I still would have thought this was a great idea, but now I think MS would be better served coming up with better Vista licensing plans for consumers with multiple computers – Office too!
Via: Neowin.net – Microsoft to unveil Windows Home Server at CES
Dec 8, 2006 | blog
BetaNews has posted a review of the Zune, and its not very favorable of the device. I’ll admit that I’ve been seeing a number of bland reviews of the device all over. While the user interface is top-notch, the physical aspects of the device, size, and controller configuration leave much to be desired.
Compared to the iPod and other devices such as the Creative Zen series, the device simply seems like a prototype of what the Zune could be.
I’d been thinking of getting the Zune as a gift for my wife for Christmas, but now I think that the Zen is a better option. Since we have a subscription to URGE, I also don’t want to have to change music services. Maybe the follow-on device will fix some of the shortcomings of this version of the Zune.
Via: BetaNews – Zune Has Too Many Issues to Compete
Dec 5, 2006 | blog
Really, I’m starting to wonder if the staff over at eWeek’s Microsoft Watch has any fun, or if they simply get off writing things like Study: Just Six Percent of American Business PCs can run Vista Premium, or Yet Another View on Vista Adoption, or CIOs: Vista Will Need Heftier Hardware.
I know that covering Microsoft is their job, but it gets a little old when they keep talking about how barely 10% of corporate PC can run “Vista Premium”, or how Microsoft’s prophecy of Vista adoption is overblown.
Guess I just get tired of trade magazines that state the obvious – kind of the same issue I have with Gartner.
