Vista SP1 and XP SP3 vs. Mac OS X and Linux
Despite constantly downplaying the relevance of Linux and Mac OS X, because of a variety of reasons, from high Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to security risks and inferior shipment volumes, Microsoft is well aware of the real threat to Windows represented by the open source platform and Apple's operating system.
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1.8.2008 Linux and Mac OS X Eat Away at Windows, Even with XP SP3 and Vista SP1
Even with the latest service pack releases for the two supported Windows clients, rival operating systems Linux and Mac OS X are still eating away at the install base of Microsoft's proprietary operating system.
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3.7.2008 A Mac user switches to Vista?
Say something critical about Microsoft and Windows and no one bats an eyelash. But write anything even faintly judgmental about the Macintosh and in comes a flood of hate mail from Mac users. The worst part is the tone of most, which generally tend toward religious zealotry. So before I begin, let me begin by saying any e-mails of that type that are sent in response to this story will be deleted, with no reply.
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3.2.2007 A Mac-to-Vista Switcher in Pink
This weekend, my 13-year-old daughter and I set out to replace her first-generation MacBook. She instead picked a pink Sony VAIO running Windows Vista Home Premium.
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3.12.2007 Vista Will Have Little Impact on Mac Sales: Analyst Says
While the launch of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system will drive consumer PC sales in the coming months, the operating system's impact on sales of Apple's Macintosh are expected to be minimal, according to a recent report.
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17.2.2007 No cheap upgrade to Vista for Mac users
After years of delays and billions in development and marketing efforts, it would seem that Microsoft Corp. would want anyone who possibly can to buy its new Windows Vista operating system.
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23.2.2007 Mac OS X Leopard vs. Windows Vista
HardwareLogic has partnering up with Newegg to sponsor the User Guide Of The Month.
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8.5.2007 Windows Vista Beta 1 vs. Mac OS X "Tiger
From Paul Thurrotte's SuperSite:
In part one of my comparison of Windows Vista Beta 1 and Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger," I looked at three key aspects of each system: Look and feel, desktop search, and data visualization and organization. For the most part, OS X came out well ahead of Windows Vista, as you'd expect, since it's a polished finished product. Vista, meanwhile, is all knees and elbows, an awkward teenager on its way to maturity.
. Microsoft will iron out the details, I'm sure, but the end result will likely not change much. Specifically, OS X will always be elegant, and Windows will almost certainly lag behind in the fit and finish department. The only questions are how much Vista will improve when compared to previous Windows versions, and whether it will be enough to keep customers from moving to OS X.
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29.11.2005 Mac Virtual Machine Update Runs Vista
Enhancements to Parallels Desktop for Mac include support for the recently released multi-processor Mac Pro tower equipped with 3.5GB of RAM, as well as for the developer build of Mac OS X 10.5, code-named Leopard.
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22.9.2006 Contest winner: Vista more secure than Mac OS
Dino Dai Zovi, the New York-based security researcher who took home $10,000 in a highly-publicized MacBook Pro hijack on April 20, has been at the center of a weeks worth of controversy about the security of Apples operating system.
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1.5.2007 Vista use grows as Mac OS X stays flat
Windows Vista's share of online users has increased every month this year, while rival Mac OS X -- to which Vista has often been compared -- has shown little, if any, growth, a metrics company reports.
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24.7.2007 Mac OS 10.5.2 = Vista made in Apple?
Ive heard many different complaints about Mac OS 10.5.2 since it was released, from my own Skype/podcasting problems to issues with just about everything else, including: printing, third-party wireless routers, software freezing and problems with Time Machine.
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5.5.2008 Apple names Mac OS X Leopard: Windows Vista 2.0
Apples World Wide Developers Conference that started today will apparently be the host of a surprising and clear shot at Microsofts next-generation OS Vista. This is probably how Steve Jobs is hoping to attract attention on his Macintosh alternative, Leopard OS.
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7.8.2006 Vista puts Mac OS X font rendering to shame
One of the first things I noticed when I switched to Windows Vista earlier this year was how much of an improvement in font readability Vista has over earlier versions of Windows for the screen fonts.
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17.8.2007 Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard to Take a Bite Out of Windows Vista?
The gap between the 2001 release of Windows XP and that of Windows Vista in 2007, created a window of opportunity for the growth of rival operating systems from Apple and the open source community.
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10.10.2007 Windows Vista vs. Mac OS X vs. Linux - for the Last Time in 2007
At the end of 2007 one thing is clear... Windows Vista is far from the Wow revelation that Microsoft aimed for with the late January worldwide consumer launch.
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1.1.2008 .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 for XP SP3 and Vista SP1
Microsoft has made Service Pack 1 for .NET Framework 3.5 for Windows Server 2008 available for download. Designed to integrate seamlessly with Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is now live on the Microsoft Download Center.
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11.8.2008 Microsoft Brings a Piece of Windows Vista to Linux and Mac OS X
Microsoft has announced that it will bring a small piece of Vista to both the open source Linux operating system and the UNIX based Mac OS X. The Redmond company's partners will work to extend Network Access Protection to Linux and OS X desktops.
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13.11.2007 Vista SP2 and Windows 7 More Secure than Linux and Mac OS X Leopard
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is the absolute apex in security when it comes down to operating systems, Kevin Turner, chief operating officer for Microsoft, has indicated at the Midmarket CIO Summit earlier this week.
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12.4.2009 Vista Growing to Match the Lack of Security of XP, Mac OS X and Linux
Microsoft has touted Windows Vista as the most secure Windows operating system available, ever since the debut of the Wow.
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15.8.2007 Making 64-bit Vista SP1 Say It's Vista SP1
Making a 64-bit copy of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 confirm that it is actually Vista SP1 might require a minimum amount of effort on behalf of the end user, such as right-clicking My Computer and selecting Properties, but things are a tad different when an application is programmed to identify the operating system versions or the service pack releases.
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25.8.2008 Mac OS X and Linux Left Scrambling for Wow Crumbs in the Windows Vista Dust
Microsoft is celebrating a veritable Windows Vista feast, while Mac OS X and Linux are left scrambling for Wow crumbs.
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2.11.2007 32-bit Vista SP1 = 1GB 64-bit Vista SP1 = 1.5GB
If you think that Windows Vista was a fast operating system, then just wait for the first service pack. According to data released by Microsoft, Vista SP1 with weigh in at a maximum of 1.5 GB.
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30.8.2007 Mac OS X vs. Linux - Red Hat vs. Windows 98 and Above Including Windows Vista
Microsoft's Windows operating system came on top out of three different alternative platforms including Mac OS X, Linux (Red Hat), and Solaris 8/9/10, in terms of the volume of holes it contains.
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18.1.2008 64-bit Vista SP1 Runs Faster than 32-bit Vista SP1 and 32-bit XP SP3!
The 64-bit edition of Windows Vista delivers not only support for larger quantities of system memory, with the high-end editions supporting as much as 128 GB of RAM, but also some extra horse power hidden under the hood.
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29.4.2008 MAC meeting?
Get a Mac Mini for free!
With the popularity of Mac Mini's, people are snatching them up quickly before they are all gone. We've done this offer for a free one and so should you! The quickest way to get your free Mac Mini it to sign up to the Rhapsody service through the link below (it will only cost you 99 cents) and follow the directions.
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Windows XP on a MAC?
Apple has formally given its thumbs-up to attempts to install and run Windows XP on Intel-based Macs. It has posted a tool called Boot Camp that allows iMac, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini owners to run the Microsoft OS more easily. The company also confirmed the next major Mac OS X release, Leopard, will integrate the twin-OS technology.
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5.4.2006 Apple's "Get a Mac" attack
Apple Computer may have broken bread with the Wintel camp, but that doesn't mean it's finding the closer association easy to swallow.
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5.5.2006 Mac clones to rise again?
I remember fondly the heady days of the Mac clones. Cloner Power Computing promoted their 225MHz PowerPC tower at Macworld Expo in Boston by offering free bungee jumps off a 225 foot crane tower outside the Hynes Convention Center.
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14.4.2008The Vista SP1 saga: the best ad for Mac and Linux yet?
Alex Zaharov-Reutt: First, it was a 5 year delay for Vista minus plenty of features, drivers and software compatibility. A year later, Vista SP1
launches, but few can get it yet. Then two SP1 pre-updates launch, only to have many reports of endless rebooting. What more can Microsoft do to
convince people to try a Mac or Linux?
I wouldnt exactly call the delay of Vista SP1 a comedic situation, but the whole thing
seems to have gone from comedic to shambolic in less than three weeks since the February 4 announcement that Vista SP1 had gone to RTM.
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21.02.2008Why installing Vista SP1 might fail via Windows Update
When you try to install Windows Vista SP1 via Windows Update you can get error: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is not available for installation from
Windows Update and is not offered by Automatic Updates.
To help ensure a positive update experience, Windows Update will temporarily not
offer Windows Vista SP1 to systems that have the following device drivers. In some cases, these device drivers are problematic on Windows Vista-based
computers when you update to Windows Vista SP1. By installing updated device drivers, you will resolve the issue and enable Windows Update to offer
Windows Vista SP1.
Click read more to view a list of drivers that don't work well with Vista SP1:
Read full story.....
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20.03.2008Photos: Installing Vista SP1 beta
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Earlier today I downloaded the standalone installer for Windows Vista SP1 build 6001.16659 and installed it on a few systems
to see what it was like -- and I thought you might like to take a look at it.
Don't expect huge UI changes after installing SP1
-- the changes are small and subtle. In fact, if you're not familiar with Windows Vista, you might miss the SP1 changes. I've put together an image
gallery showing some of the most significant changes.
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28.09.2007Improved startup repair tool, media throttling among Vista SP1 changes
To reassure customers that it really has been addressing consumers' concerns about Vista, Microsoft has made its change log to Windows Vista SP1
publicly available early...
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11.12.2007Changes to UAC in Vista SP1: Much less than meets the eye
A video is making the rounds showing how Vista SP1 has significantly improved Vista's immensely annoying User Account Control (UAC). But there
appears to be less to the improvement than meets the eye --- hardly any changes were made to UAC in SP1, and it remains a very big Vista annoyance.
Microsoft blogger Michael Kleef
has
made a video that he says illustrates how much better UAC is under SP1 than before SP1. It very nicely shows that when you create a new folder in
Program Files, you only need to go through one UAC prompt under Vista SP1, rather than four previously.
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17.05.2008Windows Vista SP1 Application Non-Compatibility List
Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista is an important update for Windows Vista. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) contains many security, reliability, and
feature updates for Windows Vista. A program may experience a loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1. However, most programs will
continue to work as expected after you install Windows Vista SP1.
This article lists programs that have been reported to
experience a loss of functionality when they are installed on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer.
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19.02.2008Language Packs and Windows Vista SP1
Nick White: We have some information we'd like to share in regards to Windows Vista SP1 and folks running Language Packs. Some of you may have
noticed that after installing Windows Vista SP1 on Windows Vista Ultimate - the Language Packs fail to appear on Windows Update (
KB947875).
We will be releasing Windows Vista SP1 in two
"waves". The first wave will only provide Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Vista Ultimate PCs running the following 5 Languages: English, French,
German, Japanese and Spanish. The second wave will follow shortly after - supporting all 36 languages.
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04.03.2008Vista SP1 to be just 45MB over Windows Update?
Mary Jo Foley got a chance to
see a note sent to certain
testers of Vista SP1 earlier
this month and quite a few
interesting factoids have
turned up in it:
Q: How big is SP1?
A: Windows Vista
SP1 is approximately 45 MB
when delivered over Windows
Update and is designed to not
significantly change the UI or
regress application
compatibility.
Q: What are some examples
of support for emerging
technologies and
standards?
A:
With SP1, Windows Vista can
boot via EFI (Extensible
Firmware Interface) on an x64
machine. SP1 supports ExFAT, a
new file format that will be
used in flash memory storage
and consumer devices Support
for SD Advanced DMA Support to
improve transfer performance
and decrease CPU utilization
is part of SP1
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30.07.2007Vista SP1 x86 appears on Torrent Sites
In the last few days, certain Neowin forum members have reported that an image of Vista SP1 x86 Final has leaked to torrent sites. This file is
supposedly a slipstreamed image of the final Service Pack 1 for Vista x86. It is allegedly available in various languages, including English. Since
many believe that this is indeed the download that Microsoft will provide in the upcoming weeks, I would like to emphasize that this is not the case.
This release is not official, nor is it genuine. I repeat: Vista SP1 has not gone final.
Neowin members are reporting that the file in
question may be SP1 Refresh 2 slipstreamed or simply a malware-filled release. I would like to remind our members not to post links to any Vista SP1
build, unless it comes directly from Microsoft’s servers.
Read full story.....
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28.01.2008Microsoft acknowledges Vista SP1 Refresh 2 = RTM
Which build of Vista SP1 became the release to manufacturing (RTM) edition? This was definitely a topic of high speculation in the last few weeks,
even before SP1 hit the RTM milestone. Many were adamant that SP1 RTM was, or would be, different from the final release candidate, while those on the
other side grasped at straws to prove their suspicions. The Microsoft Watcher, also known as Mary Jo Foley, has finally received confirmation from
Microsoft that the Vista SP1 RTM build (6001-18000) is none other than Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2. The latest official statement from the software giant
is:
"RC Refresh 2 code is the same as RTM. In final stages of a product Microsoft likes to get as much validation as possible before
releasing. The release candidate ended up being a high enough quality to be approved to release to manufacturing."
Read full story.....
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08.02.2008Windows Vista SP1 downloadable now, ships tomorrow
Just a few hours after Amazon told its customers that Windows Vista SP1 packages would be shipping tomorrow, Microsoft made Service Pack 1 for Vista
generally available. The update is 435MB for the x86 version...
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18.03.2008.NET Framework 3.0 SP1 & 2.0 SP1 on Vista RTM?
Aaron Ruckman: I've received the following type of question a few times and would like to give the answer with some background:
Q. Where is the .NET Framework 3.0 SP1 & 2.0 SP1 for Vista RTM?
A. .NET Framework 3.0 & 2.0 released with Vista as OS Windows
Components, which means that they are serviced as any other windows Component. Therefore, the .NET Framework 3.0 & 2.0 Service packages will be
officially released as part of the Vista Service packages. When Vista SPX is shipped then .NET Framework 2.0 & 3.0 might also include updates in that
service package.
In this case the .NET Framework 3.0 & 2.0 have a service package that will be shipped with Vista
SP1. Vista SP1 RC is available now (
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb738089.aspx)
NOTE: The same logic stated for Vista and .NET Framework will also be true for Windows2008 & .NET Framework 2.0 & 3.0, only Windows
Server2008 will release with .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 & 3.0 SP1 in the OS.
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21.01.2008Vista SP1 serves up its own sets of problems
Every technology site is full of information regarding Vista SP1, even our own. But, not everyone is happy with the way it performs, for some,
entirely new problems have cropped up after installation.
While Vista SP1 will not fix existing compatibility problems
with older applications and hardware, it can improve the reliability of most systems but may introduce new complications.
The
Daytona Beach Journal Blog
reports in its test that one laptop was upgraded to Vista SP1 without problems but the test desktop reported that Vista was no longer valid after the
installation and wanted a new license key.
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19.12.2007Windows Vista SP1 RC released to public
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is now available through Windows Update. Experience the WU based Vista SP1 installation by following 4 simple steps.
Windows Vista SP1 RC distributed through Windows Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages
supported by Vista RTM.
If you already installed the Service Pack to your machine by using the standalone package, you must uninstall
before you scan Windows Update for Windows Vista SP1.
Systems running on Windows Vista RTM require as many as three updates before SP1 can
be installed. These updates are permanent to your Windows Vista systems. Windows Update will detect your system configuration and offer the
prerequisite packages that are applicable to your system.
neowin.net -
12.12.2007Windows Vista SP1 availability for technical customers
Mike Nash: On Monday (February 4th), we announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). Overall, people are
excited to hear that we have reached this milestone, but some are disappointed they are not able to immediately download it.
<...> We've heard the feedback and I want to update you on our plans and progress for making SP1 available to our beta participants, our Volume
Licensing customers, and our MSDN/TechNet Plus subscribers:
- Late Friday we made SP1 RTM available to individuals and companies
who participated in the SP1 beta program
- At the end of this week we will be making the English version of Windows Vista SP1 available to
Volume Licensing customers. Other languages will follow soon after
- Later this month, SP1 will be available to MSDN and TechNet Plus
subscribers
For broad availability, we are still planning to release in mid-March, since we want to be sure that everyone has the
smoothest experience possible.
I want to be super-clear on one point: Windows Vista SP1 is final. It has been fully released to
manufacturing and we do not plan to make any changes to the SP1 code prior to public availability. We are confident in the quality of Windows Vista
SP1 and know that it will help improve our customers' experiences with Windows Vista.
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11.02.2008Why you can't have Vista SP1 yet: Microsoft fixing driver problem
Despite being released to manufacturing last week, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is not being made available to all customers because Microsoft is
trying to resolve an issue in which hardware devices may stop functioning after SP1 is installed...
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12.02.2008Endless reboots force suspension of Vista SP1 updates
The reason it's called "beta testing" is to anticipate and isolate problems. But a big problem reported by some -- not all -- Vista SP1
testers is causing Microsoft to take a step back...
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20.02.2008Windows Vista SP1 won't hit till Mid-March
Contrary to
rumors going
around the web regarding an alleged screencap of an internal Sharepoint site listing the Vista SP1 release date, it's going to be a while
before the masses see SP1. Biplab Paul a Technical Consultant at Microsoft has made a post on his blog detailing the roll out of SP1.
When
will SP1 be shipped?
- Mile Stone 1 (Feb 4, 2008): Available to OEM and Retail Channel
- Mile Stone 2 (Early March 2008): Vista SP1
Volume Licensing Availability
- Mile Stone 3 (Mid March 2008): Vista SP1 availability through Windows Update/MSDN/TechNet
- Mile Stone 4
(April 2008): Will be pushed via Automatic Update
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
08.02.2008Windows Vista SP1 Update Resumes Tomorrow
From the Windows Vista Blog: I have a quick update for you about Windows Vista SP1. The Microsoft Update Blog contains some important information
about updates to the SP1 prerequisite distribution plan. Starting tomorrow, we are resuming the automatic update and installation of the Servicing
Stack Update.
In mid-April, we will begin distributing SP1 (in the first 5 languages) using the Automatic Update system. We have a lot of
Windows users, so not everyone will get it on the same day. In fact, it will go to a small percentage of Windows Vista users each day. The exact
timing of when you will receive it depends on when your PC is ready for Windows Vista SP1.
In addition to starting the automatic delivery
of the first 5 languages, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that also we're on track for the initial release of SP1 in the remaining
languages in mid-April.
neowin.net -
07.04.2008Microsoft Backpedals, Moves Up Vista SP1 Release Dates
After getting an earful from IT professionals on the delayed release of Vista SP1, Microsoft said Monday it would make the software available this
month to some customers.
Volume-licensing customers will get the English version of the software at the end of this week, Mike Nash,
corporate vice president for Windows product management, announced on the Vista Team blog. Nash said other languages would follow but did not give a
time frame.
Later this month, the service pack will be made available to MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers, many of whom lashed out at
Microsoft on its TechNet Plus blog with venomous comments. Nash did not provide an exact date. Customers who participated in the Vista SP1 beta were
shipped the SP1 bits last Friday.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
12.02.2008
