I installed Vista on an insignificant laptop without consequence last night.  I had no problems, but then again, I wasn’t looking for them either. 

My first impression was “Aren’t you a pretty little operating system?”  And really, it is.  I’m more excited about Vista’s look than I was when XP was first released.  I remember joking with co-workers that the XP design must have been outsourced to Fisher-Price based on its playful style, colors and shapes.  In my eyes, Vista is a sophisticated and well-dressed compared to XP.

I wrote Selling Beer in a Champaign Bottle a while back.  Essentially, this posts explains that I think you can sell anything if it has nice enough wrapping.  Based on the 30 minutes I’ve spent reviewing Vista, Microsoft definitely has this working in their favor, but of the 100 Reasons MS believes you will be speechless after working with Vista for the first time, only one reason is visual design-specific:

# 4 See your world in a whole new light

The breakthrough design of the Windows Aero user interface brings new clarity to your PC experience. With spectacular visual effects, like translucent glass-like menu bars that let you see behind your application window, you’re one click away from everything you’re working with.

I am a little surprised.  As shallow as it may sound, I think more emphasis should be placed on Vista’s looks.  After all, it’s the first things that is bound to catch everyone’s attention.

With that said, what’s my favorite feature so far?  It’s the option to view the security key I am typing when connecting to my wireless network.  I’m declaring this my favorite feature in jest, but I really do appreciate this feature. 

Again, in jest, what’s my biggest disappointment with Windows Vista?  The account pictures have changed and I’ve lost my rubber duck, but I have settled with the fish image until I find time to customize.