Windows Vista? No, Thanks. Maybe later…

We recently bought some computers and were faced with the decision whether we should accept the machines with the pre-installed Windows Vista on it or ask the supplier to pre-install Windows XP for us instead. We quickly came to the conclusion that XP was the best option for us.

The main reasons why we postponed including Vista in our portfolio were as follows. First of all, with Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) being released this year, we felt the operating still lacked stability. This could negatively impact the quality of our service. I was concerned with connectivity issues (for example, will all new PCs connect to our printers, in other words, are all the drivers we use already compatible? What about scanners? ). In addition, we used third party software including freeware to connect to our servers, as email client (e.g. Foxmail) or desktop productivity tools ( Open Office). Will the installation process of  these applications be possible without unnecessary hurdles?

Besides the risks outlined above, I was bothered by another aspect of the question. First of all, I want technology to improve the performance of our users. Next, I believe by enriching their experience, users are not only more creative but also more productive. To achieve these goals, budget considerations play a role. Is a new operating and in this case a new version of Windows needed? My answer is no. I think it is certainly more important to improve for example the speed of our internet connexion (which by the way is satisfactory at 512K ADSL) or introduce online productivity tools to some of our users who travel frequently. I would also take steps to make the internet connexion more reliable (we had a two weeks disruption of service last year). For all this, I don’t need Vista.

I would also like to mention a last point concerning training. Despite Windows Vista being another Windows flavour, the computer literacy of our users is a concern when it comes to deployment. I think some of our advanced users will within a couple of days find their way within the new system. Unfortunately, most of them will be coming back to us every minute if they don’t have proper training. In addition to this, I don’t think it is a wise policy in a small company like ours to operate with more than one OS. Therefore, adopting Vista should mean migrating all the PCs, which we won’t do because the system is not yet stable.

So, if not this year, next year? I can’t say. Because Microsoft is pushing PC makers, I am confident we will face this same question next year. Will Vista SP2 be out then? Not sure, after all, next year is over 6 months.

~ by Christian Essombè Kuoh on May 23, 2008.