- User-friendly software features search and organize innovations as well as improved networking opportunities
- Designed for users with the most basic computer needs
- Helps people use their PCs securely and reliably, makes it simple to stay better connected, and is compatible with the widest range of software, devices, and services that people use and trust every day
- Rich new interface, innovative ways to organize and find the information stored on your PC, and a multitude of entertainment options with live and recorded TV on your PC
- Provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail
Product Description
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Service Pack 1 UpgradeAmazon.com
Windows Vista Home Basic with Service Pack 1 (Upgrade) is ideal for homes with basic computing needs like e-mail, browsing the Internet, and viewing photos. Easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to quickly find what you’re looking for on your PC and the Internet, while providing a more secure environment to help protect you from an unpredictable world. Compare Windows Vis… More >>
Before buying this product I read the system requirements. I also used the windows vista upgrade advisor program at Microsoft.com. After checking both I was reassured that my computer could upgrade to windows vista. The first problem I had was while installing windows vista. My computer could not be upgraded for some reason and I had to do a clean install. This meant that I lost all of my files and programs. The second problem was even after installing vista it was extremely slow and my computer kept freezing. Microsoft says that you only need 512 MB RAM to run vista and that’s exactly how much I had. Yeah right! Ignore the system requirements. Microsoft is just trying to make more money by understating them. You need close to 1 GB of memory for vista to run smoothly on your computer and that’s for the home basic version. I could have added more memory to my computer, but I didn’t feel like going through the trouble. I’d rather just wait until windows 7 comes out than buy a new computer. I still gave this product 3 stars because if I would have had the right computer it would have worked fine, but I only give it 3 stars because Microsoft will not state the real requirements to run it on your system. I hope this review helps you in your decision.
Rating: 3 / 5
The price was fair and delivery on time. I’m very satisfied with the entire process.
Rating: 5 / 5
I just couldn’t install this and I’ve installed XP over 10 times without a problem. From what I read I think it has to do with Sata hard drives, I think a driver neeeds to be installed prior to installation, I just couldn’t do it and didn’t want to spend anymore time trying.
Rating: 2 / 5
I’ve been using Vista with SP1 for a couple weeks now on two different computers, my MacBook Pro and my iMac, both running on Bootcamp partitions and I have to say I’m pretty darned impressed.
I have lots of ram, ram to spare in both my machines, as I’m a Photoshop girl and both my machines are the latest and greatest Apple has to off, so I was good to go as far as hardware was concerned. I had no problems running the Aero eye candy and though it’s no Leopard, it’s quite nice. I liked the transparent window frames and I liked the minimizing and restoring effects, but again, I’m used to the Mac, so for me they were no great shakes.
I like the search box in the start menu, but I like spotlight better. Still it’s very handy. The Widgets are a copy of Mac’s Dashboard and Flip 3D is a copy of Expose, but then again Microsoft has been copying Apple for years.
I had to go online and download the printer driver again for my Brother printer, but that was no big deal and a couple of my Photoshop plugins had to be updated, but then I hadn’t used them for awhile. I was just checking everything because of the new Vista install.
In conclusion I guess I’d say if you’ve got the hardware and are not a Mac person, this is a pretty good operating system and it seems stable. I know, I know, you’ve probably read all the same stuff I have about how Vista crashes and crashes and crashes and I’ve experienced plenty of crashes myself, but those problems seem to have been solved with the SP1 upgrade.
The Home Premium version I have on my MacBook hasn’t crashed yet and Vista Ultimate on my iMac has only brought down my machine one time. Granted, it’s early days yet, but as for now I’ll say it again, I’m pretty impressed.
However there is one thing I just cannot seem to wrap my mind around. Why oh why are there so many versions of Vista. Well that bothered me with XP as well. Do you really need:
Vista Home Basic with SP1
Vista Home Premium with SP1
Vista Business with SP1
Ultimate with SP1
Vista Home Basic Upgrade with SP1
Vista Home Premium Upgrade with SP1
Vista Business Upgrade with SP1
Ultimate Upgrade with SP1
That’s an awful lot of Vistas. Then there’s:
Vista Anytime Upgrade Pack with SP1 [Home Basic to Home Premium]
Vista Anytime Upgrade Pack with SP1 [Business to Ultimate]
Vista Anytime Upgrade Pack with SP1 [Home Premium to Ultimate]
Vista Anytime Upgrade Pack with SP1 [Home Basic to Ultimate]
Come on, Microsoft, how about a one size fits all operating system like they do over in the Mac world. And this business about your copy protection, lighten up. Maybe some people do rip off Mr. Jobs’ Leopard, you know buy it and put it on more than one machine, but how many computers can they use at a time. Yes, yes, maybe a husband and wife could be on at the same time, or one of the kiddies, but sheesh, give us a break.
I know you have to protect yourself from the hordes who want free software, but Apple’s making a pretty penny with Leopard even while they trust their users, you could too.
Still, I guess I have to give all your Vistas with SP1 five stars, grudgingly, because of the way I think you do business, but I’ve got Vista working fine on two different computers, plus my husband has it on a couple others and we’re not having major problems, so there you go, five stars.
Reviewed by Sara Hackett
Rating: 5 / 5
Everything was fantastic, from the browsing and ordering process to the expedited delivery. no complaints whatsoever. I will definately continue to make orders through Amazon.com and that specific retailer.
Rating: 5 / 5