But sorry, that doesn't happen VERY often in real life.

Anything with a Vista Capable sticker on it that was on display was lazy cat slow already, and cranking up the visuals would have made it dead and buried cat.

I think Ubuntu learned from something like this. Ubuntu gives you three options for visual display splendor, and it will quickly test out your hardware, and tell you if it can deliver that splendor. Then there's always Compiz.

Like any other operating system, Vista has it's quirks, and just like any other operating system, requires proper configuration. I doubt this particular investigation will do much to Microsoft, which has been able to pay legal fees and fines, and continues to receive money from consumers, corporations, and investors.

The only time Microsoft will ever be affected, is when the percentage of Windows based operating systems worldwide is below 50%.

skulldriveshaft

MINI Driver

zach

Again, I would disagree that one GB of ram is not enough for a Vista PC. My HTPC and Folding@Home rig has 1gb and runs just fine. Average specs too (C2D E6300, 8600GTS). Will it scream at Crysis, no. But it boots up faster than when it has XP pro on it.

Either way, I guess we just differ in how much responsibility we think the consumer has for researching their product. A fine line do doubt, but a central issue in this whole law suit. It will be interesting to see how the courts rule, as it will have big consequences for future software and hardware releases and advertising...

BlueModred

I've felt that both issues were similar, I guess I should keep them apart.

To answer a previous question, BB hires people to walk around and act like they are experts for what reason? So a customer will make a decision quicker and/or feel more comfortable spending more money. It has nothing to do with giving knowledge to the customer. They've created an atmosphere like this to increase sales, so when the problems arise, YES, BB is going to take blame. It's part of the business model. The customer feels like they should have been warned by this expert, or has been tricked or lied to. BB provides the "expert" help, so a customer feels they do not need to do the research. If I walk into Costo, I don't have any false asumptions that I am getting expert advise. Shitty situation, I know.

Look man, I'm not blaming you or calling you out or flaming you...you probably know more about computers than anyone I've seen in a blue polo and khakis. Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, at this part of the retail chain, customer perception is more important than any facts.

Lizard_King

seriously man. i love vista, and have no problems.

but on topic, i would say it it as some have said, EVERYBODY'S fault.

i would put MOST, but not all of the blame on microsoft and the consumer though. i think microsoft should have had higher requirements, but when investing in something like a computer the buyer should actually do some research.

oh well, im over it, i didnt buy a "vista capable" machine. so im not real worried.

makeseven

ProfWho

Here's how I feel:
A: It's a matter of semantics, and there are arguments for both sides.
B: If the custoemr didn't ask, it's their fault, since employees were instructed to explain the differences, and there was plenty of info to go around.

Finally, EVERY computer that came with Windows Vista preinstalled was FULLY capable of running the OS that was on it. Sure, if it came with Windows Vista Basic, it didn't have the eye candy or Media center, but that's not what those people bought it for.
And besides, the lawsuit isn't over these anyway...

BlueModred

You work in a retail environment without integrity. You (as a salesman and, and more importantly BB) sold a product that did not live up to advertised claims. So, in reality while you did not lie, the customer thinks you did, and that is all that matters.

BB sold these products, they are part of the chain. The last part of the retail chain, the part that sells to the end user is the one that has to fix most issues. Welcome to retail.

Lizard_King

This whole issue is NOT about systems that came with Vista installed. It's about the systems sold between October 15th 2006 and March 16 2007 that had XP on them that were labeled according to the ability with which they could run Vista.

BlueModred

Like I said, we were inundated with information about Vista, the sticker program, and the definition of a Vista capable and Vista Premium PC.

To this day I cannot count the number of people who thought I was laying to them when I was selling them computers. The example I used earlier: Some kid came in asking for a $399 celeron based system thinking it would run autocad. I warned him.
Sure it installed, but it did not run in any usable way. He came in the next week pissed because it would not run.

Whose fault is that? Am I supposed to deny a customer what they ask for just because they are uninformed?
No, there is some responsibility for the customer to get informed, ask questions etc.

What about the Vista Capable PC's bought at Sam's Club or Costco, where you pick the box and pay, with no salesman help or advice? Is it Sam's Club's fault too?

BlueModred

Whatever happened to store responsibility? As a retailer of *ahem* fine merchandise, your are representing the products you sell. The products that you do sell represent your company. A product gives your company a bad image? Do not sell it or make it right (like the BB and CC HD-DVD Gift cards and vouchers). If there is a faulty product, a retailer has the responsibility to stop selling that product. BB is not forced to buy the enitire line of Compaq laptops, that is what they choose. They know the base line computers ALWAYS have issues, but as long as people keep buying them, and there is no retailer responsibility, the items will remain in stock. In the words of Dave Chapelle "People ask why do we treat the customer this way? Cuz, F*ck Em!"

Microsoft takes a lion's share of the blame. Did they want Vista to fail? Why spec computers with it or even a capable logo if it runs like SHIT on them. Why tarnish the image?!?! Why no limit it to certain hardware? It runs fine if you are well over spec, but why do they allow Celeron 1.5 laptops with 1G of memory and a shitty vid chip to be sold with Vista installed? MS failed on this BIG TIME.

Lizard_King

by BlueModred at 11:32 AM Reply
This whole thing is such a non-issue. I worked at BestBuy during the XP-Vista transition...

It's the fault of...the customer for not asking the difference. Plain and simple.

Spoken like a true Best Buy employee.

Damn those pesky customers for thinking that "Vista Capable" or "Vista Ready" meant a computer could actually run Vista and not just some stripped down Vista Lite version. Stupid customers--just as stupid as the Microsoft exec who testified to the same thing in court, saying how obvious the difference between the two stickers is, and how no body could confuse them--er, except he actually had which was which 100% backwards. Yup, clearly the customer's fault--for shopping at Best Buy anyway.

Skeptic

utube2007

SneakerFiend

Kyang

Kilcannon

That OS is as unstable as a Manson family Xmas, and as resource thirsty as an Iraqi oil baron. Go fig, its the guys who made it, that made it suck.

Mitch

Webran61

Anyone who doesn't and is surprised deserves what happens. I saw it FAR too often back then. Maybe I'm jaded.
"I want that $399 laptop"
Me: Are you sure? It's a celeron with 512 mb of ram...
"It will run my autocad just fine! Gimme!"

Ugh...

BlueModred

Mayor McRib

Mayor McRib

ripfire

tamoko

@Monty: Agreed, Vista is almost a none issue - no buzz, excitement or enthusiasm. Vienna will either be a brillant OS, filled with innovative features and a revolutionary UI, or it will just be Vista 2.0, or somewhere inbetween. I guess we'll see...

tamoko

DomZ

smitty1123

Joseph

Monty

It's the fault of the employee for not forwarding the information, or the customer for not asking the difference. Plain and simple.

BlueModred

Part-Time-Viking

Sockatume