Windows Vista Ultimate: Ultimate OS or Ultimate Scam

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When Vista was first released, Microsoft used BitLocker and the promise that Ultimate Extras would be released on a regular basis, convincing some users that Ultimate would be worth the steep price, which was initially $400. However, after the years went by, some Vista users got more and more angry, and ever more articles were created in which writers and users accused Microsoft of ripping them off. Instead of the regular updates that users were led to believe that they would receive, paying as much as $160 extra for the Ultimate version, Vista Ultimate users have received nothing but a few extra, rarely used features, a Hold’Em game (among the millions of other free Hold’Em games, available for any OS), some language packs (useless for most people), some sounds, Tinker, and the ability to use videos as your desktop.

The language packs should have been included by default (or offered) for every Vista edition, considering that it’s languages; charging for the language packs is basically charging extra for the interface. The few extra features, Dreamscene, the two games, and the sounds are understandably exclusive to Ultimate; however, they are most certainly not worth the extra $100-160 that Microsoft charged. Now, with Microsoft’s decision to allow pre-ordering of Home Premium and Professional (but not Ultimate), Microsoft has slapped the Vista Ultimate users in the face. Not only did these users get ripped off tricked, but they are also being denied a chance to obtain the Ultimate version of Windows 7 at a fair price (to help lessen the sting of Vista Ultimate).

This cannot be a good marketing move as most Vista Ultimate users (such as myself) are passionate about technology and Microsoft as a whole, and not just your ordinary, silent customers. We wanted unique, exciting extras that were exclusive to Vista Ultimate (every Ultimate Extra except for the language packs have been ported back to XP and other Vista editions) and ongoing, yet Microsoft coughed up almost nothing. Instead of hurting their competition with Vista Ultimate, Microsoft has enticed Vista Ultimate users to simply buy the Home Premium version this time around, or even more drastic, switch to a different OS such as GNU/Linux or buy a Mac. And now that Windows 7 Ultimate has been announced, it appears that it will simply be Windows Vista Ultimate without DreamScene or other Vista Ultimate extras.

Instead of simply apologizing (if you can even call it an apology) for the outright scam failure that was Vista Ultimate, Microsoft could at least offer a significant discount on the upgrade version of Windows 7 Ultimate for Vista Ultimate users (as the final Ultimate extra), or maybe even eliminate the Ultimate (Enterprise) SKU and combine it with Professional. This would simplify the abundance of SKUs and make the pain of Vista Ultimate a little easier.

What do you think?

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About the Author: Robert is a lover of technology and a strong advocate of Open Source Software and the Free Software Foundation. He is also a devoted GNU/Linux user.

  • I have "Ultimate Ubuntu" and I am really happy with the price (It's Free) It comes with a complete office suite (free) Better desktop, No Viruses, No Need to Defrag, Lots of free applications (free)
    Watch this comment get deleted!
    ~Mike~
  • Name
    Buying windows 7 ultimate because its "highest version of Windows yet" is the retard market MS is selling to, because they dont realize what 'highest' means. It does not mean its better, or faster, it just has more crap you dont use but pay extra for. This article is trying to wake you up and point out there isn't even enought 'extra' features for ultimate to be worth it at all. At least an updated Tweakui for vista or SOMETHING remotely useful. Consistent release of themes, maybe related to current movies or games, that people might even consider using so they can say "I have this from ultimate look" and someone would say "oh thats cool i wish i paid extra for it" instead right now they just laught at you for paying extra for next to nothing extra.
  • amj2009
    Dear, my son has the same feelings towards it, but don't let it spoil your day, it's over and now you can go WORKING for a change instead of UPGRADING (working for Mikeysoft) all the time...
  • Jonathan Carcopo
    I designed, tested, and manufactured Media Center Servers professionally when the MCE UI was developed in beta many moons ago. The aggravations that Vista caused me after XP MCE caused blood to shoot out of every raging orifice of my being. At the time I was a Microsoft devotee and purchased several copies of retail and oem Vista Ultimate copies.

    I waited and waited, but Microsoft never once gave me my money's worth for Vista Ultimate after nearly a year of unresolved (& maddening) NVIDIA/VISTA driver problems (TDR, anyone...anyone?) So I decided to buy an iphone and an imac.

    I am running Windows 7 ULTMATE RC2 on VMWARE and although I appreciate that Microsoft has copied many of the already visual and simplified organizational structures of the Apple OS X Leopard operating system, I can't say that I see any tangible reason why anyone who was ripped off purchasimg Vista Ultimate should have to pay ANY MONEY AT ALL for Windows 7 Ultimate.

    I was shocked and abhorred to find out that the fuckwads in Redmond think I should pay $219 for an upgrade that should be given away for FREE to those who wasted their money on a broken Vista OS that cost them time and productivity and NEVER delivered anything Ultimate, unless an ULTIMATE MIGRAINE, ULTIMATE PAIN IN THE ASS, ULTIMATE ULCER, or ULTIMATE PSYCHOSIS counts for anything.

    I sold my XBOX 360, my $6000 media server that I built, & my Creative ZEN MP3 PLAYER.

    Just about the time I was considering drinking the shit-flavored Windows Kool-Aid again....I quickly had flash backs and remembered that I vowed to never give MS another dollar of my money ever again.

    If you work for Microsoft and you are reading this then you are a fuckwad and you should considering suicide.

    In the mean time I will wait for Snow Leopard which will leap frog Windows 7 when it's released in a few months.

    Microsoft you can send all your hate emails to jcarcopo@live.com

    I use MobileMe now and only use my live account for spam which is all it is good for.
  • smilingman
    You are an anger man, but i do not blame you.
    I tested the business version and I saw the mistake that Vista ME was to become.
    God be with you and MAC OS X my brother.
  • Jonathan Carcopo
    I designed, tested, & manufactured Media Center Servers professionally when the MCE UI was developed in beta many moons ago. The aggravations that Vista caused me after XP MCE caused blood to shoot out of every raging orifice of my being. At the time I was Microsoft devotee and purchased several copies of retail and oem Vista Ultimate copies.

    I waited and waited, but Microsoft never once gave me my money's worth for Vista Ultimate after nearly a year of unresolved (& maddening) NVIDIA/VISTA driver problems (TDR, anyone...anyone?) I bought an iphone and an imac.

    I am running Windows 7 ULTMATE RC2 on VMWARE & although I appreciate that MS has copied many of the already visual and simplified organizational structures of the MAC operating system, I can't say that I see any tangible reason why anyone who was ripped off purchasimg Vista Ultimate should have to pay ANY MONEY AT ALL for Windows 7 Ultimate.

    I was shocked and abhorred to find out that the fuckwads in Redmond think I should pay $219 for an upgrade that should have been given away for FREE to those who wasted their money on a broken OS that cost them time and productivity and NEVER delivered anything Ultimate, unless an ULTIMATE MIGRAINE, ULTIMATE PAIN IN THE ASS, ULTIMATE ULCER, or ULTIMATE PSYCHOSIS counts for anything.

    I sold my XBOX 360, my $6000 gaming server that built, my Creative ZEN MP3 PLAYER.

    Just about the time I was considering drinking the shit-flavored Windows Kool-Aid again....I quickly had flash backs and remembered that I vowed to never give MS another dollar of my money ever again.

    Ballmer/Gates = Fuckwads
  • Webe
    I was bitten not once, but twice by Vista. First occurance happened when the pc I purchased was loaded with Vista 32 Home edition. Darn thing crashed almost daily and half of the features didn't work. So I decided that since I was in school and needed a more reliable system that I would buy the 64 bit Ultimate. What does the Ultimate stand for? SUCKER!!!!. The only thing I did get out of paying the extra cash was a much more reliable machine. Tells me that the original build was botched to begin with and my not knowing any better didn't help anything either. Will I be going for Windows 7, only if they give it to me as an upgrade. I'm a registered user, as is everyone else who uses a modern Mircosoft product of any kind. All I know is this is not a good way to treat your customers. I at first liked Microsoft. Windows 95 was not the best but it was relatively well supported. But it seems that with each new release, more complications and less support were to follow. Now you darn near have to give your third born child to get any real support. Yes Microsoft, I have used your products from the beginning. But somewhere you have lost your way. Enjoy and good luck. Glad I'm learning UNIX and LINUX. They do not suffer from near as many issues as Microsoft. Now if I can get WINE to work with more products, that too may not be an issue for much longer either.
  • Jodie Turner
    what a looser I was to buy vista ultimate, I will not fall for this stupidity again, I am looking a buying an apple pc this time at least they are honest. Microsoft are liars.
  • Brandon Scott
    I love your little crossed through "Humourrettes"!
  • JediTim
    What I see as a major disappointment is that I do not get any pre-offer sale on Vista Ultimate and would need to reinstall the entire operating system / drivers / software etc if I want to "downgrade" to Windows 7 Home or Pro.

    I have two machines with Vista. The first I built a purchased OEM Ultimate...what a sucker I am. The second built as a HTPC has Home Premium and I purchased the Windows 7 version for $49.

    I just reinstalled Vista Ultimate on my main computer and have not decided on if I should get the Windows 7 Pro for this machine. I will probably pre-order it and decided later if I want to cancel.

    I am hoping / expecting that Micorsoft will do something for Ultimate users.
    Tim
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