Comments

1. Brandon LeBlanc

   

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 3:16PM  

   This is the coolest PC I've ever seen in my entire life.

   I want it.
2. Ink Master

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 5:02PM  

   Correct me if I'm wrong... but... it looks like any other generic box with a Windows logo... - It's just iduno... PC manufacturers don't have a slightest bit of creativity at all these days... just stamping out generic boxes as cheap as they can... Its like with most of the car interiors these days... its like the only thing thats different between a ford and a mercedes is the amount of chrome and wood, but other then that, same generic crap...  ...maybe I'm just too picky since I'm a designer (graphic)myself but all this generic crap just makes me so depressed :(
3. Ink Master

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 5:14PM  

   Btw - As you guys may probably remember, about 6 month ago, Microsoft sent out the so called "Vista Industrial Design Toolkit" to some PC manufacturers and some other companies... Since this is the Vista Team Blog, would anyone here by any chance know how I could get my hands on such a toolkit? - I'd love to see what Microsoft's 'visions' are the hardware design :)  -Thanks
4. milan

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 5:34PM  

   Um speaking of the Windows Experience Index, I have a slight problem. This is 'so' not the place to ask but, whatever. I have succefully run Windows Aero ona a 2.9 rated PC. (that was when I was using Windows Vista RC1). But suddenly, on windows Vista RC2, Aero is off limits. While going through the amazing Help & Support Center (which is btw, really cool!) i found out that a pc with a 3.0 rating minimum can run Aero. Imagine my eraction to this. What is going on? Has Aero been locked in RC2? And can I forcably run Aero in windows Vista? Thank you VERY much for any answers, or links to forums where I could ask the same question.
5. Hurricane Andrew

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 6:07PM  

   Granted the box is pretty lame, but what would you expect from Dell, let alone Dell and MSFT?  I applaud them for trying, and it sure beats the old "beige boxes" we used to get, but I'm sure each of us has at least one better looking rig somewhere in our sphere of influence.

   As for milan's comments, I don't know.  I've been running RC2 on two boxes, one with a 2.1 score and the other with a whopping 2.2.  Of course I get booted out of Aero when I try to watch an AVI file, but I get kicked right back up when I'm done.  There must be something else going on in your situation, but I have seen many reports of this, so at least you're not alone, for whatever that's worth.  
6. Gabriel

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 6:36PM  

   Off topic: People with Vista RTM installed, who never tested the betas and RCs, are starting to pop up at discussion groups like the Forumz at THG and asking questions. The problem is that the only people there with any experience with Vista are beta testers who have not been given access to RTM. I've been trying my best to be helpful but at the same time feel like my date (Microsoft) dumped me at the prom and went off with the cool guys. Lots of bad will is being generated among the enthusiast community.
7. rieuwa

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 7:42PM  

   "1Terabyte RAID0 SATA HDDs (2x500MB) "

   Shouldn't that be 2x500 -Gb- ? :-)

   I would love a pc like that....
8. Dazeon

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 7:51PM  

   Right on Gabriel, I couldn't agree more. It's like thanks for all your hard work, now get lost! I thought I had submitted a bug, hence being in with a chance of a free copy, but after e-mailing via connect (twice!)(a nice long personal e-mail too...) I got some crappy one sentence reply from some woman who is either THE most boring person on the planet, or a robot. Microsoft UK were a lot nicer but I haven't had a final word yet. Gonna see if I can find an addy to complain at. Even a 180 day trial would do, on Connect or something, Office too. I submitted hundreds of error reports and posted loads of comments via the anonymous feedback page, tested loads of builds and now we're cut loose. Thanks Microsoft. I
9. bazanime

   
   Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 8:16PM  

   I second what Gabriel and Dazeon say. I'm not on any beta testing team or even a developer, but i have tested Vista and sent in feedback when required.

   At least a courtesy T-Shirt would be nice. After all, I'm still willing to pay the hundreds of GBP needed for Vista Ultimate.

   Everyone here that has contributed to this fine OS should have more than a pat on the back.

   Btw... I'm an x-large!
10. Gabriel

    
    Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 8:19PM  

    Dazeon, I submitted multible bugs but only three were recognized, not to mention the crashes and BSODs and MBR corruption, etc. I know that's part of the testing process so I'm not complaining about those things but what really irritates me is that I'm willing to PAY for the RTM license and still nothing. The 180 day trial would be great and would create further demand for the product since once the trials expire people will be forced to either buy a license or go back to ugly XP. And yes, I tested Office too and am willing to buy the Student/Teacher (or whatever they now call it) edition since my wife is an academic and I'm eligible, but that too is nowhere to be found. I'm not too concerned about Office since the B2TR will suffice until it becomes available but it too leaves a bitter aftertaste in my mouth. I've been meaning to "test" (even though I bought it) Flight Simulator X on Vista but I won't bother until I can obtain a license to the RTM build. I don't think the Vista Team is responsible for this fiasco and I really thought Microsoft was trying to change and project a more user friendly image but now I realize such change might be impossible with the current ossified Microsoft management bureaucracy. The Vista Team did their job but the rest of the company isn't doing their part.
11. Nick White

    
    Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 8:43PM  

    Hey Gabriel, bazanime, Dazeon, et al:  I'm not sure why your contributions via Connect were not recognized, but I'm looking into it and will let you know what I find out.  I can't guarantee that the answer will be the one you seek but I'll do my best to ensure that it's a satisfactory one.  Let me also remind you that whether MS provides our beta testers a t-shirt, copy of WV Ultimate, or something else, you can take pride and satisfaction in using the finished product, as your fingerprints are all over it and you've made it what it is today.  This point tends to get lost in the conversation, but it's worth keeping front-of-mind -- I know I do.
12. Dazeon

    
    Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 8:44PM  

    Ditto. I am pretty sure I submitted at least two bugs but they don't appear in my Connect Feedback page. I joined the Vista beta program in March but for some reason Connect seems to now report I joined in August? I tried explaining this to the 'robot' but it fell on deaf ears. Still, I really don't think it would hurt Microsoft to release a trial of Windows Vista now, they seem to have it on Connect for those lucky people (of whom I feel I should be one) so why not a trial for those less fortunate? I desperately want to play with an RTM copy and have to say I have seen *some* floating around... Now I don't want to go down that road as I like being official and don't condone piracy. However my situation goes something like this... It's a month of Christmas, I have just moved house and have a three month old daughter, money is naturally tight. Now a trial would take me well into the new year, when I could and would hopefully purchase a full copy of Windows Vista Ultimate and a copy of Office (hopefully through my partner as she is a teacher). Thing is what do we do in the meantime? I don't want to go back to XP as Vista performs much better for me and I love using my XBOX 360 as an extender with MCE. With regards to the Vista Team I think they have done some excellent work, although going off my two e-mail replies, one from MSUK and one from LHBeta, MSUK seem to have it bang on. I really thought Microsoft had turned a corner and were looking after the enthusiasts...

    BTW. Who am I kidding, I'd break the bank if I could buy it NOW!
13. Dazeon

    
    Posted on: November 21, 2006 at 8:51PM  

    That's ace Nick, regardless of the outcome I appreciate your kind words and effort.

    I am satisfied with my contribution as I am sure everyone else here is, I just think we're all feeling a little used at the moment.

    I for one don't and never would expect anything from Microsoft, but a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate would be nice! I have plenty of t-shirts... ;) I look forward to your response.
14. Kristan Kenney

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 12:51AM  

    Look closely at the Windows pearl below the power button - the flag is in the right colors, but the design is flipped. If it were flipped to the way it should look, it would wind up being Yellow-Blue-Green-Red.
15. newscientist2000

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 1:41AM  

    Ooooh Pretty, sure would be faster than my dust bucket of a desktop.  I'ld trade a PS3 for that any day of the week!
16. StophVista

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 2:46AM  

    That looks sooo cool! I hope hp makes a skin for their PCs like this (that way you don't have to pay a rediculous price). I <3 hp.
17. Ghigo

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 5:25AM  

    My homemade PC 3 months old is rated 5.8 :)

    E6600 @ 400X9 3600 mhz Phase cooling

    ATI X1950 stock speed

    MB AW9D-MAX - HDs 2X250 samsung raid0

    2 Gig ram Teamgroup
18. Bozack Maximus

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 6:21AM  

    I wonder why it wasn't running SLi...?

    Nice rig!
19. Tano

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 9:41AM  

    Hey, what about the motherboard for this configuration?
20. oadrian

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 10:19AM  

    I'm sorry, but this thing is hideous. I had some real hope for Microsoft when they announced this deal. I thought we'd see stuff like the Xbox 360 and less like this. If you want to see some nice stuff look to Thermaltake or some of the other modder's box companies. Better yet, let's see some really clean design. Seriously I expected more.
21. akjs

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 4:09PM  

    well yawn yawn!!

    So the mighty Dell and Microsft can only come up with 5.2??

    I just built a new PC yesterday and managed a score of 5.0, building it at HOME and i'm only an ametur!!!! when i overclock the RAM it'll me 5.5, woopie! COME ON DELL MAKE SOMETHING WORTHWHILE!!!!!!!
22. lketchum

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 4:09PM  

    Very nice RIG.  I can tell some "Old-School" engineers had a hand in this - the inclusion of a floppy drive [we still do that], to flash various hardware firmware, no doubt, and all the added front mount I/O and access ports are dead give aways.  The top mount lights [at least I think they are lights], would be a nice touch to see the optical drive buttons in lower light environments.

    Very Well Done!
23. Dazeon

    
    Posted on: November 22, 2006 at 8:00PM  

    Shouldn't this thing come with a Raptor HD for the OS, say a 74GB model, leaving the 1TB for media storage. Certainly a Crossfire or SLI solution and deffo a 4GB flash drive to supplement the system with ReadyBoost. I'd have liked to say either HD-DVD or BlueRay built-in too.
24. Spyd3r

    
    Posted on: November 23, 2006 at 10:42AM  

    1Terabyte RAID0 SATA HDDs (2x500MB) lol

    i think it's 2x500GB HDD :)
25. Dazeon

    
    Posted on: November 23, 2006 at 8:24PM  

    Hey, any luck at MS Nick regarding Vista/Connect et al.?
26. chopsnsauce

    
    Posted on: November 24, 2006 at 11:00AM  

    I'm with oadrian on this. That PC is one ugly motherf*!%er.

    AND its got a floppy drive!  Old skool!
27. Michael_Moor

    
    Posted on: November 27, 2006 at 9:00AM  

    Oh My Gush,Its Very Good

    Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Processor

    512MB NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX

    4GB RAM Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 667mhz

    -----------

    http://www.dl4all.com
28. Nick White

    
    Posted on: November 27, 2006 at 11:23AM  

    All:  Still working on it.
29. Nick White

    
    Posted on: November 27, 2006 at 4:03PM  

    Hey Ink Master:  I've spoken with the team behind the Windows Vista Industrial Design Toolkit and have learned that we're not distributing them to the public or press prior to retail availability of Windows Vista.  Sorry for the disappointing news.
30. PoconoPCDoctor

    
    Posted on: November 28, 2006 at 8:30PM  

    I dunno, looks like Dell caught a peek of my case  mod!  

    http://poconopcdoctor.com/uploaded_images/mycasemod-789562.jpg
31. k1tty

    
    Posted on: November 29, 2006 at 11:38PM  

    Ink Master, Maybe these wooden PC cases will cheer you up: http://www.spotswoodcustomcomputers.com/gallery.php
32. GmaRocks

    
    Posted on: November 30, 2006 at 1:47PM  

    Ouch.  The insides look better than the outsides.  Try again, ok?  I'd be embarrassed to try to sell that.
33. Dazeon

    
    Posted on: November 30, 2006 at 4:09PM  

    God this sucks... Nothing from Connect and now to add insult to injury we get this...

    http://powertogether.com/

    Sorry, only America!

    Only 15 days left then it's back to XP. :(
34. royster

    
    Posted on: August 28, 2007 at 11:34PM  

    I am having mixed feelings about this Windows Vista O/S, since i got my system from Dell and all the hype about Vista I found it to be the most annoying system yet, constant hang ups restarting the system half a dozen times, no support from Dell, constantly asking me if I want to continue an action Jeezus, I just want to be able to use the damned computer rather than flip flop back and forth between hang ups that take forever to resolve, i would like to trade down to XP most reliable yet. Not worth my time.