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These are good reasons for a change but the darker half of the subject is that Vista is heavily based on Digital Rights Management and it introduces the concept of driver revocation. In the event that a piece of hardware or software breaks Microsoft’s security model the driver signature can be revoked by the Redmond mothership. Based on past experience it seems unlikely that you will have an avenue to discuss the matter with a real live person who can fix the situation.

The point is that the customers of Windows Vista aren’t the people who use the PC or laptop but instead are the providers of premium digital content i.e. Hollywood, TV companies and the music industry. They won’t supply content unless they can be absolutely sure that it won’t be copied and passed on for free so Windows Vista is built around a chain of protected devices that refuse to pass decrypted content down the line unless the Blu-ray drive is satisfied that the graphics card is playing nicely which in turn wants to check on the intentions of your TFT display.

The logic is fairly solid; if you want to display HDTV on your Windows Vista PC you have to expect that HBO will take steps to avoid having its copyright blown to smithereens. Microsoft understands that point so it is offering Vista to the entertainment industry as a trusted platform which, incidentally, means that Microsoft becomes an integral part of the distribution network for music, TV and movies.

I don’t think for one second that Windows Vista will place an intolerable burden on the current crop of dual core Athlon 64 X2 and Core 2 Duo PCs. Indeed, as quad-core Athlon 64 X4 and Core 2 Quad hardware rolls out during 2007 I feel confident that Windows Vista will put a smaller load on your PC than any previous version of Windows.

There is no doubt in my mind that Windows Vista will be the single most significant new IT product in 2007 but I’m going to take a fair amount of persuasion before I ditch Windows XP and make the switch.

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