What are the advantages of waiting until Service Pack 1?

  • Thread starter Seanman
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Seanman

Seanman

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I've noticed several people here stating that they will not upgrade to Vista until Service Pack 1 has been released. However, since I plan on getting a new PC with Vista soon, I'd like to know the reasons for waiting until Service Pack 1.

Besides, aren't Service Packs free for download once they're released anyway?
 
None really, except for security/interface/program updates. And yes, Service packs are free for download through MS update.
 
Seanman
I've noticed several people here stating that they will not upgrade to Vista until Service Pack 1 has been released. However, since I plan on getting a new PC with Vista soon, I'd like to know the reasons for waiting until Service Pack 1.

Besides, aren't Service Packs free for download once they're released anyway?
Click to expand...
The thing about it is, getting Vista now isn't going to be a downgrade in anyway from XP, but infact a definite upgrade (more than just looks too, you will get better security, added features, as well as many small things you'll only find from using the OS). Seeing as it's going to be included preinstalled on nearly all new computers in the near future (currently when you buy a new computer from the major manufactures, you'll get an 'express update' rebate), there is no reason not to get it. The service pack 1 scheduled to come out, from what I can tell, is going to upgrade security features, include some functionality that was originally planned for Vista but taken out later (such as the 'amazing filesystem' Microsoft promised), and a few extra features. Really though, it's still going to be Vista and there is no reason not to get it now instead of XP.
 
Seanman
I've noticed several people here stating that they will not upgrade to Vista until Service Pack 1 has been released. However, since I plan on getting a new PC with Vista soon, I'd like to know the reasons for waiting until Service Pack 1.

Besides, aren't Service Packs free for download once they're released anyway?
Click to expand...

Waiting for SP1 is basically saying that you're going to wait for six months of live field testing to complete. SP1 usually has all the "doozy" bugs fixed that stem from poor quality control and/or a rushed release schedule. Microsoft has definitely not rushed the release of Vista, and there was an extensive beta programme thrown out wider than the simple MS TechNet sphere. So Vista should be more reliable out of the box than other OSs have been.

You'll also find that SP1 will roll up all the hotfixes that have been released to date, so it will be possible to patch your system to near SP1 levels prior to the (June) release of SP1.

I'm one of the "wait for SP1" crowd. There are advantages in waiting for service packs to come out: both of the SPs for Windows XP have caused heartache for people, whereas if you install the SP onto a base system, things will run much more smoothly.

Only recently have MS started to include significant new features in Service Packs. Think of Windows Server 2003, where there were so many new features that they actually called it Release 2, rather than SP2. Although the best one ever came out in Windows NT SP4: namely removal of the requirement to reboot following a change to IP settings.

Service Packs are free downloads to registered customers.
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6286245.stm

This is the biggest reason why I really dont want to upgrade any time soon... how can windows warrant downgrading video quality if its decides that its not approved! How stupid is that... soon windows wont accept harware that is not digitally signed by MS!

Also Im sure its bug ridden...... will wait for service pack 1 and also to see what becomes of this digital rights managment.
 
Ah, I see. I shouldn't worry much about waiting for Service Pack 1 after all.

Thanks very much, +rep to both. 👍
 

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