Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta Released (Download Link Included)

Windows Vista introduces a breakthrough user experience and is designed to help you feel confident in your ability to view, find, and organize information and to control your computing experience.

The visual sophistication of Windows Vista helps streamline your computing experience by refining common window elements so you can better focus on the content on the screen rather than on how to access it. The desktop experience is more informative, intuitive, and helpful. And new tools bring better clarity to the information on your computer, so you can see what your files contain without opening them, find applications and files instantly, navigate efficiently among open windows, and use wizards and dialog boxes more confidently.

Download : Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta - (32-bit) (434 MB)
Download : Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta - (64-bit) (726 MB)
Download : Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta DVD-ISO (1228.8 MB)

Related :

Notable Changes in Windows Server 2008 SP2 Beta and Windows Vista SP2 Beta

Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED and AIDS in Africa

Starting on December 15th, people will be able to purchase the standalone version of Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED and fight to help eliminate AIDS in Africa at no extra cost. Microsoft will contribute a portion of the profits to the Global Fund. To date - (PRODUCT) RED™ partners and events together have contributed more than $115 million to support Global Fund-financed programs that positively impact the lives of people affected by HIV AND AIDS in Africa. (RED)™ money provides access to education, nutrition, counseling, medical services, and the two pills a day individuals need to stay alive.

The latest version of Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED includes brand new exclusive content from (PRODUCT) RED partners to personalize the desktop: Emporio Armani clock gadget and Hallmark wallpapers, (RED)™ and Africa-inspired graphics, new (RED)™ words screen savers and more.

Dell continues to be a (PRODUCT) RED partner and will be integrating the updated content into their future Dell XPS (PRODUCT) RED PCs for customers who choose Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED.

(PRODUCT) RED continues to gain momentum. Earlier this month Starbucks joined as a (PRODUCT) RED partner. (RED)WIRE™ also launched, a digital music magazine offering exclusive tracks from artists like R.E.M. and Keith Urban with a $5 per month membership fee. Half your membership fee for (RED)WIRE goes to buy medicine to keep people living with HIV in Africa alive.

College students can also take advantage of a new Ultimate Steal offer and grab a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED today for $64.95

Introducing the Brand New Windows Vista Ultimate EditionVersion (RED)

Just one week short of the first anniversary since Windows Vista hit the shelves, Microsoft introduced a brand-new version of the operating system. In this context, the high-end edition of Vista now comes to the table with a little extra kick. The Redmond company has entered a partnership with the U.S. computer manufacturer Dell and (RED), an initiative fathered by U2 lead singer Bono and DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) Chairman Bobby Shriver. As a direct consequence, Microsoft and Dell will be delivering a total of four products under the (RED) product umbrella brand. Each sale of a (Red) co-branded product benefits sick women and children in Africa via donations made to The Global Fund. In the end, the money will serve to pay for antiretroviral medication for HIV, as well as for AIDS treatment.

"(RED) is not a charity. It's a business model. Before there was a (RED), private sector contribution to the Fund was $6 million," Susan Smith-Ellis, chief executive of (RED) revealed to Microsoft Watch, adding that contributions jumped to $54 million, mainly due to (PRODUCT) RED. "Dell and Microsoft give us exposure in 30 countries on five continents."

"We've taken Windows Vista Ultimate to the power of (RED). It has the power, security, and mobility features you need for work and all of the entertainment features you want for fun. It's enhanced with (PRODUCT) RED wallpapers, gadgets, and a unique screen saver and DreamScene," Microsoft revealed.

Dell and Microsoft will offer Windows Vista Ultimate preloaded on the XPS M1330 and XPS M1530 notebooks, as well as the XPS One desktop. Dell will also be offering the Dell 948 All-In-One Printer. The products do not come with any extra charge for the end consumer, but for each Microsoft and Dell will make a donation to The Global Fund. The two companies will donate $50 for every purchase of a (RED) XPS M1530 or (RED) XPS M1330) and $80 (RED) XPS One desktop.

In this manner, Dell and Microsoft will join companies such as Armani, Apple, Gap, Motorola, and Hallmark, that have already jumped onboard the (RED) initiative. Furthermore, it seems that the duo will also feature a 30-second advertisement of their (RED) product during the Super Bowl.

The Windows Vista Ultimate (RED) edition is not just your average Vista Ultimate SKU. It has been customized to tailor the (RED) initiative. The Vista Ultimate (RED) edition will offer users a personalized (RED) experience with six new wallpapers, a total of two Sidebar gadgets and one screensaver, as well as one animated background for DreamScene.

Windows 7 - the next Windows

Windows 7 (formerly codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna) is the next release of Microsoft Windows, an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, Tablet PCs, and media center PCs.



Microsoft's Ben Fathi stated on 9 February 2007 that the focus of the operating system was still being worked out, and he could only hint at some possibilities:

“We're going to look at a fundamental piece of enabling technology. Maybe it's hypervisors. I don't know what it is [...] Maybe it's a new user interface paradigm for consumers.”


Microsoft's Hilton Locke stated on his blog that touch features are going to be central.

“I will say that if you are impressed by the 'touch features' in the iPhone, you'll be blown away by what's coming in Windows 7. Now if only we could convince more OEMs that Windows Touch Technology is going to drive their sales.”

Bill Gates, in an interview with Newsweek, suggested that the next version of Windows would "be more user-centric." When asked to clarify what he meant, Gates said:


“That means that right now when you move from one PC to another, you've got to install apps on each one, do upgrades on each one. Moving information between them is very painful. We can use Live Services to know what you're interested in. So even if you drop by a [public] kiosk or somebody else's PC, we can bring down your home page, your files, your fonts, your favorites and those things. So that's kind of the user-centric thing that Live Services can enable. [Also,] in Vista, things got a lot better with [digital] ink and speech, but by the next release there will be a much bigger bet. Students won't need textbooks; they can just use these tablet devices. Parallel computing is pretty important for the next release. We'll make it so that a lot of the high-level graphics will be just built into the operating system. So we've got a pretty good outline.”

Gates later said that Windows 7 will also focus on performance improvements:


“We're hard at work, I would say, on the next version, which we call Windows 7. I'm very excited about the work being done there. The ability to be lower power, take less memory, be more efficient, and have lots more connections up to the mobile phone, so those scenarios connect up well to make it a great platform for the best gaming that can be done, to connect up to the thing being done out on the Internet, so that, for example, if you have two personal computers, that your files automatically are synchronized between them, and so you don't have a lot of work to move that data back and forth.”


Senior Vice President Bill Veghte stated that Windows 7 will not have the kind of compatibility issues with Vista that Vista has with previous versions:


“You've let us know you don't want to face the kinds of incompatibility challenges with the next version of Windows you might have experienced early with Windows Vista. As a result, our approach with Windows 7 is to build off the same core architecture as Windows Vista so the investments you and our partners have made in Windows Vista will continue to pay off with Windows 7. Our goal is to ensure the migration process from Windows Vista to Windows 7 is straightforward.”


Speaking about Windows 7 on 16 October 2008, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed compatibility between Vista and Windows 7:


“Our next release of Windows will be compatible with Vista. The key is let’s get on with it. We’ll be ready when you want to deploy Windows 7.”


Ballmer also confirmed the relationship between Vista and Windows 7, indicating that Windows 7 will be an improved version of Vista.


Microsoft aims Windows 7 release for 2009 holiday season

Taken from news.cnet.com by Ina Fried
The slides and Howe's presentation appeared to confirm what has been widely speculated--but something Microsoft has not outright said--namely that Windows 7 is aimed to ship around mid-year, in time to be on machines that ship for the 2009 holiday buying season. After the session, Howe essentially confirmed that Microsoft is aiming Windows 7 for the holidays.
"Definitely the holiday focus is going to be on 7," Howe told me.

BenQ Launches 10.1-inch Netbook in Taiwan and China

BenQ has decided to release its new Joybook Lite U101 netbook in Taiwan and China. The netbook features a 10.1 inch display with LED backlight and a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is good for watching movie. The BenQ Joybook Lite U101 is now available in Taiwan and will be released in China this week. Unfortunately, its price tag is still unknown. [Digitimes]

Asus N10J Gaming Netbook

Asus has recently released the new Atom-powered netbook that can run video games. The Asus N10J is a 10-inch netbook that is powered by an Intel Atom N270 CPU with 1GB of RAM, and Microsoft Windows XP. What makes the N10J special is that it comes equipped with the Nvidia GeForce 9300 graphics card so you can still play the Unreal Tournament III on this netbook. The new Asus N10J netbook is priced at £455. [Crave]

Kouziro Frontier Netbook

Kouziro Frontier comes back with its latest netbook known as the FRNU302/BK. You can bring home this netbook for around. The basic configuration comes equipped with a 10.1 inch LCD display, 1GB RAM, Intel Atom N270 processor and 160GB hard drive. Youcan also choose between Microsoft Windows XP (Home or Professional) or with Windows Vista Home Premium as the operating system. Can you imagine Windows Vista on a system with only 1GB RAM? It is not enough, right? [EeePC]

Gigabyte M912x GoldenRod

Gigabyte has released the newest version of Gigabyte M912x TabletPC dubbed Gigabyte M912x GoldenRod. The specs are a 8.9-inch touchscreen with 1280 x 768 resolution, Intel 945GSE chipset, 1.6 GHz Atom processor, 1 GB od DDR2 RAM, 160 GB of HDD, weigh 1.3 kg, 4500 mAh Lithium-ion battery, Other features should include 1.3 MP camera, Epress card slot, three USB 2.0 ports, 3-in-1 card reader, Bluetooth 2.0 support and Wifi b/g as well as ethernet LAN, it is also comes with Microsoft Windows XP Home OS. [Lifeatmost]

New MSI Wind Netbooks in France

MSI has released three new MSI Wind models in France. The new variants including the MSI Wind U120 with HSDPA or 3.5G support, Wind U110 and Wind U115. The MSI Wind U110 comes equipped with Atom Z530 CPU with 1GB RAM, Intel SCH-US15W Intel chipset, integrated graphics, a 10 inch 1024×600 display, 120 to 250GB SATA HDD, Flash card reader, 6 Cell battery (rated 8-10hrs), WIFI B/G/N, and a 1.3MP webcam.
The MSI Wind U115 offers the same specification except Atom Z530 CPU, up to 2GB RAM, HDD or up to 32GB SSD, and supports Bluetooth 2.0 EDR. [Netbook3G]

Alienware - Area-51 7500 Desktop review

Mention the word ‘Alienware' to any hardened PC gamer and inevitably a strange change comes over their battle-hardened features: a misty longing appears in their eyes, their jaw starts a slow drop to the floor and a weird keening noise issues from the back of their throat. No, this is not some form of medical malfunction, but just a desperate realisation that such joys may be out of their reach.

Hyperbole aside, Alienware has redefined what is cool and this latest manifestation of the Area-51 7500 desktop is guaranteed to enhance its reputation as a market leader when it comes to style and raw gaming power.
From the moment you winch the revamped P2 chassis out of the box - do not attempt this alone - and plug in the power (all 1,000W of it), you can't fail to be impressed by the glowing alien heads on the sides and front and the sleek silver ventilation panels. The front panel smoothly slides sideways and rotates to reveal a 20x Dual Layer DVD Writer and a 28-in-1 memory card reader, while beneath are some repositioned USB ports, a FireWire port, microphone and headphone sockets.

Removing the side panels is a simple matter of lifting two levers (though they're fiddly to get back on) and then you can gaze at one of the tidiest interiors you're ever likely to encounter. If you were ever in doubt about who this monster was intended to please, then the packaging also contains a Logitech G9 Gaming Keyboard with matching Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse.

The motherboard has been upgraded to an Nvidia nForce 680i SLI and embedded within are dual 768MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX SLI-enabled graphics cards. Driving this beast is an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 3.0GHz CPU with 8MB Cache and 1333MHz FSB, allied to high performance 2GB DDR2 SDRAM (optionally 4GB) running at 800MHz.

High definition 7.1 audio is included as standard but you can upgrade to a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer for an additional £58. Other enthusiast essentials that could be added include a 6x Blu-Ray drive and storage to the tune of 2.0 TB Serial-ATA 3 hard drives running at 7,200 RPM with 32MB cache.
Which brings us to the Big Question - how does it perform? We loaded up with F.E.A.R., which always sorts the men from the boys, and the results were astounding: minimal loading times, cut-scenes performed smoothly without a hint of judder (a rare event), pictures were sharp, actions seemless and sound panoramic.

Playing Crysis was like being in a movie and we were shivering in the cold with Lost Planet: Extreme Condition. Let's be honest, hardcore gamers, do you need to look anywhere else? Now you just have to win the lottery to pay for all the extras....

Alienware - Area-51 7500 Desktop features - Verdict
Alienware computers are never cheap but if you don't mind parting with serious chunks of your salary, you'll end up with the coolest style icon with gaming power to match.

Jointech J-Pro JL7100 $99 Mini Laptop

Jointech has just announced what could be the cheapest mini laptop selling at only $99. JL7100 runs on Win CE 5.0. It uses Samsung chipset with 64 MB RAM and internal memory of 64 MB. It also has built in Wi-Fi and 3 USB Ports (which you can also use to plug external memory). It is capable to run basic laptop applications like MS Word, MS Excel, media player, MSN messenger, PDF reader, Internet Explorer, and more. All these packed in 225 x 165 x 36 mm accessible through 7″ display, weighing only 680g. The only catch is that it is currently only selling in Hong Kong. [Jointech]

Sony VAIO FW 16.4 Inch Laptop

NotebookReview has a comprehensive review of the Sony’s VAIO FW. Priced at $2,149, the laptop features a 16.4 inch LCD screen (1600 x 900), Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache) with 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon 3470, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD (5400rpm), Wi-Fi and webcam. Other specs are include 4400mAh Li-Ion Battery. The new Sony VAIO FW measures 15.12inch x 1.14inch x 10.27inch and weights 3.1kg.

Here is a verdict.
System performance is one category that this notebook really shines. Even with a 5400rpm hard drive, the notebook performed quite well throughout various activities including watching Blu-ray movies, playing a few games, and installing applications. The Intel Centrino 2 platform no doubt had a hand in this, and gave us some impressive performance benchmarks. PCMark05 was into the 6,000 range and 3DMark06 was around 2,600.

[NotebookReview]

Lenovo G430 Sneak Peek

More of G430 specifications have been revealed as follow. CPU of Intel Core 2 Duo processor at 2 GHz clock with 160 GB hard disk. Optical storage DVD Super Multi (DVD + /-RW, DVD-RAM) standard memory accessible through 14-inch display screen with NVIDIA Geforce 9300M GS of 256 MB. G430 weighs approximately 2.4 Kg. [CNET]

Fujitsu U2010 Menlow Notebook

The Fujitsu U2010 small laptop is powered by a new Intel Menlow platform. Weighing 610grams, the UMPC offers 1,280 x 800 resolution LCD display, a fingerprint reader and dual memory card slots. Its battery provides only 3.5 hours so you need to turn of Wi-Fi, lower the screen brightness to increase battery life. Fujitsu U2010 Menlow Notebook retails for HK$1350. [UMPCPortal]

Samsung Mobile PC Q1U-CMXP and Q1UP-V

Both Q1U-CMXP and Q1UP-V are very light, small and slim, weighing less than 2 lbs. They support all PC application wherever you go. Now includes Windows Vista Business Edition, the model currently is powered by Intel Centrino Solo, with 2 GB of RAM, and 80 GB of HDD, accessible through 7″ touch screen at 1024 x 600 resolution. They also come with built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The latest Intel ultra low voltage CPU allows up to 7 hours of continuous run time on battery. Q1U-CMXP is almost identical to Q1UP-V with notably one extra feature of HSDPA modem. The biometric fingerprint reader also ensure your privacy and security are safely guarded. Priced currently at $1399 for Q1UP-V and $1454 for Q1U-CMXP. [Samsung]