Are we being ripped off?
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You bet we are!
Before Microsoft Vista was released to the general public, we had a discussion on the show about what to look for when buying a new Vista ready computer.
I mentioned that I was fearful that the tier 1 computer makers, Dell, HP, Compaq, Gateway, and the rest, will be selling low priced machines just like they have been with XP. But!!!!! Vista is a different animal. There are five versions.
My fear was that these makers would be putting Vista Home Basic on the low priced computers. Thereby, cheating the buyer out of the full Vista experience and a number of useful features. Vista Home Basic is a bastardizedversion of Windows just like Windows ME was to Windows 98.
In the meantime, Vista has now shipped. Many are finding that third party manufacturers are lagging behind in preparing their products for Vista, and that many of these third party product don’t work properly on Vista.
All that said my worst fear came true tonight.
I was asked by a friend to visit one of his employees homes to find out why the computer was running slow.
The user is a complete novice.
When I arrived, I discovered that he had just bought this computer from Dell and it came with Windows Vista Home Basic on it. Strike one.
When I sat down to the machine, the Dell support software was asking that the NVIDIA drivers be updated. We all know the NVIDIAs Vista drivers are not 100% yet don’t we? Ok. I do this. I took 15 minutes do install after I downloaded the update!!!
I proceeded to the System Information to find out what was in this machine. The processor was plenty fast. An AMD 3100, But, the video ram was just 64MB and system RAM was only 512MB.
In addition, I found the latest version of Norton Internet Security on the machine.
Oh, one more thing. The version of Sonic DVD software on the machine was not Vista compatible. Windows kept popping up a message stating an upgrade was needed.
With all of these issues in combination, it’s no wonder this machine ever ran.
I removed the Norton and replaced it with AVG antivirus and antispyware. I made sure the built in security feature were all enabled in Vista. Added 512MB more memory, removed Sonic replacing it with Nero, and guess what? Speed! And no errors! This machine was now running much better. More like a Vista machine should be running.
He is going to put a new ATI video card into it when he gets a little more money. That should help a lot. Then this customer will be a happy camper with his new machine.
The bottom line?
What the hell is Dell doing selling such a crippled machine? This machine should have 1GB of Ram, 128MB of Video Ram, and software that does not restrict the users ability to use the system. And, all of the software should be Vista compatible.
I am sure the other makers are just as guilty of doing the same thing with their low-end machines. I just have not bumped into one yet.
Why can’t the bottom line machine at least be good enough to make sure the buyer’s experience is a good one? Don’t sell middle of the road XP machines with the Vista label on them.
Get with it Dell.
Mike DiMichele
Technology Specialist
Steve and Johnnie’s Website Wednesday Night
WGN Radio - Chicago
www.wgnradio.com
www.savemybutt.com
8 Comments
John
March 30th, 2007
at 2:46pm
Mike-
My name is John, and I work at Dell headquarters. While I agree that 512MB is a little light on the RAM for Vista (Home basic requires 512MB), it is certainly not what Dell recommends. If you check our website, while configuring a system and getting to the section on memory, please note that our site plainly recommends 1 GB for Vista, and even has a link entitled “help me choose” where this is explained in more detail. We offer 512MB as an option because it is the minimum requirement for the OS, and also because some people don’t even use the installed OS, but instead elect to use their own image of Linux or another OS wherein 512MB is more robust.
Another point I’d like to address: all PC vendors offer Windows Vista Basic on their low end computers. Why? Because it’s the *cheapest* version of Vista. It is Windows Vista, but just has several features removed, and is not “bastardized” as you have claimed. At its core it is Windows Vista Home, it just doesn’t have Aero.
The integrated Video Memory you speak of is actually the GeForce 6150 LE, with 128MB of Shared Video Memory. Since this card’s memory only operates at the system bus speed, there is no inherent issue using shared memory. Since Aero isn’t being run, 64MB is twice the minimum recommended amount of VRAM for Home Basic.
Regardless, I am here to help if it is required. Feel free to ping me if you have any questions about this or need any help whatsoever!
Customer_advocate@dell.com
ATTN: John
Jason Burns
March 30th, 2007
at 4:07pm
Good article, I just wanted to clarify a few things for readers. The point that was made about Windows Vista Home Basic being like Windows Me was to 98 is not true. Window s Home Basic shares the same core as Windows Home Premium, only added value software has been removed (Media Center, the Aero Interface, Remote Desktop, Movie Maker, etc) to be a slimmed down version for less capable hardware. The point that the video card will give a performance boost is a bit off as well. Windows Home Basic does not have Aero, it runs the legacy UI engine that does not benefit from 3D accelerated Video Hardware.
Lazybaer
March 31st, 2007
at 6:33am
I could not find out - so far - what Vista is good for. My small machines run Ubuntu Linux, my main PC has OSX on it. So the PC with Vista installed is just some sort of test machine. And I made sure to have a fine OS on it: Windows 2000!
Mike Nelson
March 31st, 2007
at 6:43am
I use to recommend Dell to my customers. I don’t any more. I just signed up with a new supplier as I realized that I can provide Windows XP machines that customers will be pleased to own. Yes, they will have to upgrade in 5-7 yrs, but isn’t that better than buy a machine that doesn’t want to work right out of the box?
f0rw4rd.sl4sh
March 31st, 2007
at 9:32am
Maybe Dell can see the pending nightmare with Vista. It definately would explain the new found interest in Linux.
Save the internet, adopt a penguin.
jeff
March 31st, 2007
at 12:03pm
You have some dead-on comments about your Dell Vista experience. I’m with you on everything.
Well, everything except one bit: `…cheating the buyer out of the full Vista experience’.
I am trying my best to be cheated out of the full Vista experience. I hope to make this last for years, but realistically I only expect it til the end of the year, when Dell stops shipping it with corporate machines.
Not only have I grown tired of paying for the privilege of being a Windows beta tester; now I have to pay for significant hardware upgrades to do it. Even the hardware vendors are doing the Happy Dance (moreso).
We don’t have enough space left to list the rest reasons I use linux as my primary OS. I have to use Windows because I run an MIS department, but sooner or later, the non-profit for which I work won’t be able to afford the software OR the hardware.
Your Dell experience was disgraceful, both from the software AND the hardware point of view. To release an operating system with virtually nothing compatible is reprehensible.
[ Well, you asked for opinions :) ]
audiodragon
April 1st, 2007
at 9:50am
“Vista Home Basic is a bastardizedversion of Windows just like Windows ME was to Windows 98″
What a load of crap. ME was 98SP3 and it worked MUCH better on my computer than 98.
Concerning Vista I agree we should all wait awhile.
Lee Griffin
April 17th, 2007
at 11:33am
I bought a low end Toshiba VistaB and it is slow. Would it be easier just to load it with XP?