Starting with May 6, 2008, the question is no longer about Windows Vista RTM vs. Windows XP SP2, but rather about Vista SP1 or XP SP3. Vista Service Pack 1 RTM'd on February 4, 2008 and, as of March 18, it is widely available for download. XP SP3 was released to manufacturing on April 21, and offered for download as of May 6, beginning with Windows Update and the Download Center. In this context, it all comes down to sticking with the "good old" XP plus the extra kick from SP3, or going to Vista, now updated with SP1. Users should bear in mind the fact that XP SP3 is not a justification to avoid Vista, SP1 or no SP1.

"'Hmm... sounds like I should just install SP3 on my XP machines rather than looking at Vista, right?' Wrong! If you really investigate it, you'll see that Vista is the RIGHT choice, RIGHT NOW. (...) Seriously... in the areas of Security, Manageability, Performance (yes, I mean it), Deployment, User Productivity, Mobility, Stability... and those are just for starters off-the-top-of-my-head! You gotta go with Vista," Kevin Remde, IT Pro Evangelist for Microsoft says.

At the same time, there are better solutions than Vista, and there is little doubt about this aspect. And we're talking about viable alternatives, such as Mac OS X and Linux. But make no mistake about it, Windows Vista is now at an entirely different level. And it's not just because of the evolution delivered by SP1, it's also because of the fact that the environment of software solutions and hardware products built around the platform has reached a level of maturity that guarantees an experience without support and incompatibility issues.

"For me, it's Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, then Windows XP," added Keith Combs, Microsoft IT Pro Evangelist. "I mean, really. Windows Server rocks. 2003 is as solid as they come, and 2008 is looking really good as well. But I'm a server guy so I naturally show more love for the server stuff. But it's early for Windows Server 2008 and I don't like to declare success for an OS until it has some history. Let's not forget a lot of code is shared between Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008."

The obvious conclusion is that for users, business customers included, who decide to stick with an IT hardware infrastructure which was tailored for XP, going to Vista SP1 is not an option at all. The experience will be just the opposite of Wow. The jump to Vista SP1 makes sense only in the context of downgrade licenses that permit customers to run XP for the time being, and upgrade to Vista as the infrastructure gets overhauled with new hardware. Otherwise, XP SP3 will do fine. However, at the same time, a hardware upgrade has to be accompanied with the best Windows client available, and that is Vista SP1.

"Machines evolve with user wants and needs. The software that runs on those machines also evolves. If you look at the Windows Vista ecosystem, it has improved dramatically since we launched the product," Combs added. "So do yourself a favor. When it comes time to replace a machine, get a machine with a good CPU, plenty of RAM, and a great GPU. Users want eye candy. They want Flash and Silverlight websites. They want high definition video. They want a snappy operating system. Windows Vista is very snappy with the right mix of components."

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone is available for download here.

The standalone packages of Windows XP Service Pack 3 RTM can be downloaded here.