Today was a momentous day for Microsoft as they released their long awaited Windows Vista operating system. Consumers now have the opportunity to choose from the many Vista flavors including Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate. Prices for the OS range from $129.99CDN for the Home Basic upgrade edition to $299.99CDN for the Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade.

 

The OS will require you have a fairly new computer with a processor that's at least clocked at 1GHz with a minimum of 1GB of RAM to run at its minimal. To upgrade, users will require to have a registered version of Windows XP (Home, Professional, Media Centre Edition or Tablet PC) before proceeding.

 

Our American counterparts can purchase Windows Vista as a download through the Windows Marketplace. No word yet on whether or not Canadian consumers will be able to update to Vista through download in the future. But for now the option is only open for US residents. Also, it's important to note that the OS is only being sold in-stores on DVD, but it seems Microsoft is offering users the opportunity to purchase CDs online.

 

What does this mean for us gamers and media enthusiasts?

 

First off, Windows Vista Home Premium (and the Vista Ultimate) offer the latest Windows Media Centre software, which integrates seamlessly with your Xbox 360. With both devices communicating with each other, users can take their multimedia from their PC and stream it to their Xbox 360 thus eliminating the need to have a PC in your living room for entertainment purposes. The latest Windows Media Center software includes an improved user interface that makes it easier for users to navigate through their digital media.

 

Also, Windows Vista will be integrating Xbox Live features in the OS later this year. Gamers will be able to improve their gamer score by playing one of the "Games for Windows" branded titles. Windows Vista users will also be able to challenge Xbox Live owners online with select titles such as UNO (which was demonstrated recently at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas). Microsoft is hoping that the Games for Windows initiative and the Xbox Live Anywhere features will lead to a renaissance in computer gaming.

 

No matter how you look at it, Windows Vista is bound to have a huge impact on PC market. Even with the impending release of Mac OS X 10.5 (codenamed Leopard), Microsoft will more than likely continue to be the most utilized operating system and dominate the OS market share for years to come.

 

So start familiarizing yourself with Windows Vista's latest features as the OS will eventually become the centerpiece of your digital hub.

 

By Andre Barriault