December 24, 2006
The Tech Grinch’s Christmas List: No. 2 Windows Vista
We are down to Number Two in our list of must-have gadgets and gizmos that you won’t have in your Christmas stocking this year.
2. Windows Vista - You couldn’t buy it last Christmas, and you can’t buy it this Christmas either. The digital bits that make up Windows Vista have already been released to Microsoft’s corporate customers, but consumers won’t be able to get their hands on shiny new PCs running on the operating system until the end of January.
That means fewer laptops under the Christmas tree. According to Merrill Lynch, PC sales volumes rose 21 per cent in 2005 but will only rise 13 per cent for all of 2006, with the continued Vista delay being part of the reason. What will you be missing? The Aero "glass" graphics interface, full support for High Definition video and (if you’re prepared to pay up for it) the enterprise-class "Bitlocker" encryption system.
The countdown so far:
10. An Enzo Ferrari 9. Halo 3 8. The $100 Laptop 7. The iPod wannabes 6. Pleo the dinosaur
5. If I Did It 4. TMX Elmo 3. The iPhone
