Users testing out the new service pack 1 for Vista are reporting issues when using Windows Update for the latest sound drivers, experiencing problems with no audio after the update. This issue mainly seems to affect users with Sigmatel or now known as IDT high def sounds, which are used quite a bit on Dell’s PCs (mine included).

Just when everyone thought that Microsoft’s goose was near to fully cooked in all its greasy goodness, it seems as though the goose is getting some breathing room; though mounds of incriminating evidence against Microsoft in the “Vista-capable” lawsuit has been piling up in rapid fashion, the well-paid lawyers at Microsoft have found a loophole and earned a bit of time to either rally a defense or order a tombstone epitaph. 

I’m still not sure whether I should even classify this as news, per se, but take it as you will: if you’re sitting in front of an operating system-less PC, holding a copy of Vista SP1 in your right hand and a copy of XP SP3 in your left, and you can’t decide which OS to go with, your now barren PC will run better with XP SP3.

Ok, ok, we can all laugh and joke about some of the rather humorous ends eBay has gone to in the interest of protecting its customers, but there’s a real chance that the latest caper moves from lighthearted humor to rather arguable controversy.  Ebay has removed a laptop that contains an attack code used to crack Vista in the interesting of its buyers’ “safety.” 

It is possible to build a relatively “cheap” Vista system but doing so doesn’t really save money.  After everything is added up the system itself will cost just under $500 but you’ll still need to add in a monitor, keyboard and any other accessories you might want/need.

In a study conducted by Dutch Consumers’ Union on the problems experienced by Vista users, it concluded that “Vista is not yet a sufficient replacement for Windows XP” and recommended to consumers to consider alternative operating system.

The Everex XT5000T is the first laptop you should consider if you are on a budget and are looking for a desktop replacement laptop but don’t want to break the bank. You don’t get the most powerful hardware, or long battery life but what you do get more than makes up for the shortcomings.