Windows Vista is essentially the same as Windows XP -- to some

I have been running Win XP+64 for 6 months with software that is 64 bit. I also have 32 bit software installed and if Vista is as stable, fast and efficient as my machine, then Vista is a productivity tool that EVERYONE will want. Gamers will love it's increased graphic ability as will those who create and print out huge databases. 64 bit computing is a giant leap from 32 bit computing. Any business which uses data (information) will be forced to upgrade. The benefits are enormous. Anyone who doesn't upgrade and who uses this productivity tool for business, education and maintenance of lifestyle is showing their collective ignorance. Additionally, Walt Mossberg is NOT anyone's authority regarding hardware or software.

I do NOT like your new screen, it does not fit my screen even after scrolling,I would like to have the old screen back.It was easier to use.DON.

The average home user doesn't care about 64 bit, they care about being able to listen to music and check their email. You could didn't even need to upgrade from Windows 95 to do that. A lot of businesses never even upgraded past Windows 2000. In general people use MS Office at work plus a few other systems depending on their industry. CAD, FEA, ERP systems, some basic analysis programs, etc. Very few actually need 64 bit. My home computer is a G5 but aside from some audio processing I don't make much use of the fact that it's 64 bit. Your average home user would have even less use, as would your average business owner. Vista will only be fast and efficient if you get around the resource-hog factor by upgrading your hardware. Something a smart business owner doesn't do unless they see a real benefit in productivity. The only area it would help the average business is by reducing IT cost through increased stability and security. Likely their annual capital budget wouldn't account for new systems unless they were due for an upgrade or the IT costs were so high that it would be worthwhile to upgrade their systems despite them being too new for it to normally make sense. Businesses who stay in business don't just upgrade their systems without calculating the total cost of upgrading (downtime, etc). My computer at work crashes about once a week and we have dedicated CAD/FEA computers (as most companies do because you need a separate license for every seat plus much higher ram and graphics capabilities) so there's not much reason to upgrade mine. Maybe those 5 minutes of lost productivity per week will add up over my career.

All the chatter about how Vista is not all it could be is getting very redundant. The stock is way up the past six months. Xbox is doing well--better than expected in fact (its seems shipping was cut only because MSFT wants to make it profitable quicker, not b/c of the mkt.) It's becoming clear Zune was never meant to make any money. Of course most people don't need Vista. But they don't NEED a phone/ipod/whatever either. Certainly doesn't mean they won't buy it. I think the coupon program is prelim. proof that Vista will sell good enough to keep the MSFT stock moving slowly, but surely, up. One thing is clear--it has been makin' me money. Despite the naysayers, it will continue to do so.

Have a look at Vista for yourself:
Http://www.WindowsVistaUserGuide.com