Dell, HP and other PC makers providing their own software for Vista
By Justin Montgomery
PC makers these days are exploring other options to bolster their image, and expand beyond basic Windows Vista in which complaints constantly pour in. In an effort to enhance Vista rather than change it completely, PC makers are introducing their own brand of proprietary software to make things easier on the user.
The approach differs with brands- in some cases, they’re creating new user interfaces intended to make Vista faster and easier to use. In other cases they’re replacing applications from other software companies with their own versions, according to the Arkansas Democrat. It’s an effort to let PC makers stand out from the crowd, and to help ease the pain from the fact that they’re required to install Windows Vista on their machines.
Dell is a perfect example- in June, Dell’s Studio line of notebooks were introduced that feature what the company calls "Dell Dock." It’s software that organizes desktop programs into pockets of quick-start icons for different environments, such as work or game playing. Dell states the software was born from complaints from its customers that applications were difficult to find in Vista. Another improvement Dell decided to implement on the Studio line notebooks was the replacement of pre-installed Skype with its own video chat software.
Not to be left out- Hewlett-Packard in June launched the second generation of its "TouchSmart" PC that works with a touch screen instead of a mouse. The company developed a new software interface that sits on top of Vista and makes it easier for people to find what they want by using their fingers to touch enlarged icons for music, games, photos and other applications. It’s an approach to make Vista more user-friendly overall while enhancing usability.
The move to build software that works in unison with Vista is what Microsoft has been hoping for. It looks like an approach to mirror the success of Apple on behalf of Microsoft if you ask me. Apple has long created hardware and software designed to work together- and has enjoyed higher prices and profit margins than other PC makers because of it. I don’t think anything is going to save Vista at this point, but it’s a good step forward until a new version of Windows is finally released.
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Stumble It!
September 2nd, 2008
It might seem to be a simple and obvious conclusion, but the Apple comparison is invalid. Apple controls hw and os. Dell/HP control only the hw, and there is scarce little to distinguish there. I hope THEY didn’t buy into some marketer selling them that thes glitzy layers on top of Vista were really gonna change anything, let along make them the next Apple!
September 7th, 2008
After about a couple of centuries of dominating the PC OS market, the reign of microsoft has come to an end.
October 9th, 2008
seeing the bata of the new windows comming out, its just a repackaged vista, new name, new box, same old crap!