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PC World: Vista, Leopard, iPhone Top Tech Disappointments

by , 9:15 AM EST, December 18th, 2007

PC World's Biggest Tech Disappointments list for 2007 is out, and Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system ranked at the top of the list. Microsoft wasn't alone on the list, however, because Apple's iPhone and Mac OS X 10.5 operating system made the cut as well.

"Five years in the making and this is the best Microsoft could do?" PC World said. "No wonder so many users are clinging to XP like shipwrecked sailors to a life raft, while others who made the upgrade are switching back."

Years over due, and missing promised key components, Windows Vista seems to be disappointing customers as much for what is does have as for what it doesn't. Many Vista users have been complaining about extensive driver incompatibilities, hefty hardware requirements, and constant "security warnings."

PC World had a bone to pick with Apple, too. Mac OS X 10.5, or Leopard, came in at number eight on the list because of wireless networking issues, administrator account problems, and a file transfer bug.

"Maybe we just got spoiled by the iPod and iPhone, but the glow came off Steve Job's halo after this feline fleabag debuted. Within days of its release last October, Mac users reported dozens of problems with the new OS, some more serious than others," PC World said.

While the iPhone was praised at the expense of Leopard at one point on the list, the combination iPod and smart phone earned it's own slot at number five. PC World bagged the iPhone for its touchscreen keyboard, lack of Flash support, reliance on AT&T, and the surprise US$200 price drop only weeks after the device launched.

"Yes, we know. Sliced bread only wishes it were as great as the iPhone. And aside from minor flaws like a tiny touch keyboard and lack of Flash support, the phone itself is pretty terrific. But AT&T's broadband service? Definitely second-rate."

The list also gave the iPhone a ding for what it considered an intentional move on Apple's part to permanently disable units that had been hacked for use on other cell carrier networks.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:Guest
Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:40 am Subject: Read the Macalope

He desconstructs this article pretty thoroughly.

http://blogs.cnet.com/8301-13509_1-9835045-20.html


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Close Name:Guest
Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:40 am Subject:

I suspect Leopard and the iPhone are in the list purely to get advertising revenue from outraged Apple fans. I'm not clicking the link on principle. ...or have I just become a cynic....


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Close Name:Guest
Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:55 am Subject: from this synopsis...

it sounds like PC World is never happy.
I hope the actual article doesn't come across as negative.


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Close Name:Guest
Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:58 am Subject: An error

I think there is an error in the PC World-article. I am sure they didn't mean to write:
"...Mac users reported dozens of problems with the new OS, some more serious than others..."
Instead what they really wrote were:
"...dozens of Mac users reported of problems with the new OS, some more serious than others..."
Easy enough to get it all wrong that way;)


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Close Name:Guest
Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:27 pm Subject: dozens of problems?

Dozens of problems in millions and millions of lines of code doesn't sound to bad. Fact is, most of us will never experience or notice all of those problems.
And for everything which may be a bug, apple got something important right.

10.5 is by far the most stable os i have ever used, i have spinning wheel of death once in 2 months, wake up and user switching is instantaneous on a g4 system. Not top of line intel, but soon to be obsolete g4.

If apple cared enough to spend time make system perform faster and better for people like me rather than force us to upgrade, that is most generous


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Close Name:Guest
Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:41 pm Subject: Yes tech dissapointed this year

Yes, being both a leopard user and Vista user. I have to admit both are not up to their usually quality. Especially Apple who only has to design Leopard for its own hardware!
At least Microsoft has a much bigger crowd to please. This by no means gives Microsoft slack but does put into perspective its task. I think Leopard on the other hand is the first OS from Apple that has caused me to reboot my computer!As far as the iPhone I was never interested in paying that much for a cell phone! Especially when I can't even choose my provider! Gee Apple I thought you were for the end user. I really like Apple hardware and its OS,but Apple needs to stop setting the bar so high if it cant get over it!


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Close Name:bb-15 Posts: 20 Joined: 21 Aug 2007
Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:58 pm Subject: what would I use?

I would use Leopard.

I would use an iphone.

I would use XP.

But I would avoid Vista like the plague.

BB


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Close Name:yakirz Posts: 457 Joined: 22 Nov 2002
Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:32 am Subject: Out of the three

people I know with iPhones, not ONE of them has said "this phone sucks, I wish I had a Treo!"


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