It does not crash as often !

I currently carry a Sony Vaio laptop which runs an Intel Dual Core processor (Centrino) at 1.33 GHz powered by 1 GB of RAM. And a 80 GB hard disk. The configuration is not, to the best of my knowledge, what you would call an economy offering. Of course, it came bundled with Windows Vista Business.

Last week, I wrote I was disappointed with the speed at which Vista, Windows' new operating system, was running on my computer. There have been interesting reactions. Some for, some against. Like all writers who have an opinion, one is pleased with those who agree with you as you wonder why the rest do not.

Before I make my larger points, let me revisit my usage pattern. I am a 'business' user which means I extensively use mail, documents and excel sheets. I don't have much use for heavy duty graphics (Aero) or many of the other 'friendly' features that Vista comes with. A typical work day or hour involves scanning of mails, responses and some internet surfing. Most of these, I would imagine, are the same for any normal workplace user. Unless you are not doing much work and focused on other distractions.

I haven't worked it out nor examined the precise ratios but my sense would be that at any point, one would not use more than 30 per cent to 40 per cent of all features that are provided on an operating system. Or for that matter the more sophisticated mobile phones, particularly the PDA variety.

Which brings me to the first fundamental point. Who is the user ? I would imagine that a workplace user is a critical component of the overall scheme of things. At least I would imagine that if a program is called Vista Business, then its really aimed at business users with their peculiar requirements and not someone else's.

Now here's the second fundamental point. Business users, as far as I am concerned cannot be drawn into lengthy discussions on the precise configurations of a computer except to understand some basics. And I really mean basics. As I understood it, if you were to have Vista running on your computer, then you need 1 GB of RAM. Though, Vista mysteriously comes bundled with most manufacturers today as if there were no option.

Now, if I do have 1 GB of RAM for which I am paying through my nose, then I expect my computer to run, not crawl. Nor do I expect to (as I said in my previous column) see a turning blue circle (indicating processing) for the simplest of command instructions. All of which was fine with Vista's predecessor, the XP. I mean it did not take too long nor did it have blue circles.

So, is Windows Vista a complete let down ? Not quite and as most power users seem to concur, improvements will surely happen in the next six months to a year. My experience so far tells me that it crashes and freezes much less than its predecessor. Surely, that's an improvement.

govindraj@bsmail.in