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Ready for Windows Vista?

It has been quite a while since the consumer release of Windows Vista in January 2007. Many have invested in new hardware to complement their Windows Vista purchase, with some electing to build brand new systems installed with the fastest dual-core processors, chocked full with gigabytes of memory and disk space. Of course, gaming lovers will never forget to shore up their arsenal with brand new video cards, powered to drive the latest DirectX 10 games.

What Windows Vista brings to the table could be a boon for many. Video enthusiasts will want to enjoy the visual clarity that the WMV-HD codec brings, along with other significant enhancements to the Windows Media experience. Both professional and amateur photographers alike will greatly appreciate the ease of acquiring photos from their digital cameras straight into the new Windows Photo Gallery, which offers speedy access to the most common tasks (such as removing the infamous "red eye"). Music lovers will be pleased with the latest version of Windows Media Player, able to handle the largest of digital audio collections with ease.

Videos, photos and music are brought together with Windows Media Center, integrated within Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate. View, navigate and archive your media while enjoying the stunning visual effects powered by Windows Aero.

Computer and network security is increasingly on peoples' minds these days. Windows Vista introduces many new features focused on keeping your data secure. These features include BitLocker Drive Encryption for data protection (available only in Windows Vista Ultimate), and Windows Defender to counter online threats - a combination which makes Windows Vista the most secure version of Windows yet.

Windows Vista supports the vast majority of existing hardware, with 19,500 drivers available on the install DVD itself (and a lot more on Windows Update). If you're looking for new hardware and other gadgets, be sure to look out for the Certified for Windows Vista logo on the packaging. Microsoft's robust certification programmes ensure that qualifying hardware will have to meet the most stringent criteria, which helps to guarantee a seamless installation and usage experience.

Most computing tasks can be accomplished with Windows Vista alone. In fact, there are four main editions of Windows Vista to choose from (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate), each with its unique set of features. One of them is sure to satisfy your needs.

However, sometimes we discover a need to perform certain tasks which would be better handled by specialised software. With a myriad of software boxes lining the store shelves, choosing the right one can turn out to be quite a chore.

Introducing the new Windows Marketplace - a web site that can help you locate software that is proven to work with Windows Vista. Software featured on Windows Marketplace have been tested rigorously by a third-party authority to ensure quality and reliability. You can purchase these software on the Marketplace itself, and have them delivered to you either through electronic means or express shipping. All that without leaving the comfort of your chair! If you really have to get your software from your favourite software store, do look out for the Certified for Windows Vista logo. (Sounds familiar? The Certified for Windows Vista logo guarantees a product's compatibility with Windows Vista.)