Here is a Windows Vista tip for those that still like going to the command line.

Windows XP had a Powertoy called Command Prompt Here.

This would allow you to open a DOS box at the desired folder location. This was handy as it saved you typing in really long path names.

Example: C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents etc

This feature ships with Windows Vista but it buried.

To use it you have to hold down the left hand shift button while you right click your folder you will see an extra option “Open Command Window Here”.

Bill Veghte a Senior Vice President of Microsoft has written and released a document explaining the Windows roadmap.

It doesn’t reveal anything that new but would be a good read for a small business owner trying to make sense of what is happening with Windows.

The documents covers:-

•The Future of Windows XP
•Important Progress with Windows Vista
•Compatibility
•Quality and performance improvements to Windows Vista with Service Pack 1
•Beyond Windows Vista

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/letter.mspx

Sometimes I get paranoid that my own experiences with Windows Vista may be jaundiced.

I have installed it about 25-30 times and cant get passed a week without a severe crash even on SP1 on brand new hardware.

But it would appear Intel is giving Windows Vista a wide berth.

From the article

Intel, the giant chip maker and longtime partner of Microsoft, has decided against upgrading the computers of its own 80,000 employees to Microsoft’s Vista operating system, a person with direct knowledge of the company’s plans said.

This is significant for the following reasons

1) Intel make the CPU’s that run Vista.

2) Intel make the motherboards and chipset’s that run Vista.

3) Intel make the network cards both wired and wireless that keep vista connected.

Even with so many hooks into how a system will operate even they wont use it.

They quote

“This isn’t a matter of dissing Microsoft, but Intel information technology staff just found no compelling case for adopting Vista,” the person said.

Pretty damming really.

Link: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/et-tu-intel/index.html?ref=technology

Updated 15/07/2008

This product has just been released so multiple reviews  will trickle in over the next few days.

Bookmark this post for easy to access to the collected reviews.

Studio 15

PCMAg.com:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2321784,00.asp?kc=PCRSS02129TX1K0000530

C-Net (includes Video)

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-studio-15/4505-3121_7-33107339.html

ZD Net

http://review.zdnet.com/laptops/dell-studio-15/4505-3121_16-33107339.html

Studio 17

Notebookreview.com:

Link: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4471

LaptopMag.com

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/dell-studio-17.aspx

Official Product Link:

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/laptop_studio?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

Related Links on this site: View all posts in Dell Studio

ATI’s 4800 range is getting some great reviews and is pitched at a sensible price point making it a candidate for those looking for a budget conscious upgrade.

Tip: Powerful video cards can place a lot of strain on your computers power supply. So check the system requirements very closely. Most manual can be found online.

HD 4850 reviews:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_4850
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=755
http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3338
http://firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_…rce_9800_gtx+/
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/14…ion/index.html
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14967
http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/h…schnitt_prolog
http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,64…enchmark-Test/
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-at…d–powercolor/