This is my feedback and mini review on the Windows Vista Ultimate RTM based on the build 6000 on my 3 years old laptop, a Sony Vario PCG-FR105.
It comes with the following hardware:
* Mobile AMD Athlon XP2000+ (around 1.67Ghz)
* 512MB RAM
* 40GB Hitachi DK23EA-40 4200 rpm HDD
* NVIDIA GeForce 4 420 GO
From the start of the setup up toward the end (after entering my username, wallpaper, etc) to the desktop, it took about 25 minutes, not bad considering it’s running on an 4200rpm laptop HDD (Hitachi DK23EA-40). I would suspect it will be quicker on a faster rpm and faster CPU. Still, it’s about the same install speed as the XP anyway.
When you reach the desktop, the first thing you will see is the Welcome Center, giving you all of the information to get yourself started with Windows Vista.
The first thing I did was to check to see if Vista recognised all of the hardware. And it turned out to be only one, which was the Motorola SM56 Speakerphone Modem. A quick visit to Windows Update found the driver and got it installed without any problems. It also have 4MB worth of updates to download which are standard:
* Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - Nov 2006
* Definition Update for Windows Defender
An instant protection for your computer with the latest updates as soon as you use it. Oh and another note about Windows Update… I do not have to visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com anymore as it’s now integrated with Vista under System and Maintenance. So one things less to visit.
The interface are pretty samey, but with more vibrant colours and easy on eyes. The Alt + Tab to switch programs/tasks are a bit same with better text & colours. But the new feature is Windows Flip - if your video card supports WDDM (Windows Driver Display Model) - usually on DirectX 9 supported video card, use Windows Flag + TAB to use the Windows Flip. It looks cool.
The start menu has been redesigned too. No more menu after menu, everything you need is in one start menu. Click ‘More’, and it will appearing the same Start menu window. Looking for a specific program? No problem, just type in the name of the program and it will find for you.
Straight to Window Explorer - it has the interface changed and it seems to be much easier to navigate around and finding the files I need quickly. If you click an image in Window Explorer, you will see that you can rate the image, give it a Tag (i.e. holiday, photo, Tony) for easy searching.
Configuring the network are much easier now with Network and Sharing Center. Everything you need to know are on one screen. Want to make your computer to share files on the network? Sure, just click it and select “On”. That’s how simple it is.
Now to games - all games has been given a big make up and it’s now more 3D with better colours and more “alive”. And there are some new games which are more suitable for kids, useful to keep the kids busy. 
There are more to say about the new Windows Vista, but I think the review above are the most things that we would use.
For speed wise - I have not noticed any slowness when using the laptop with Vista. Programs loads up and close as quick as I see on XP. Left running as idle, it uses around 240MB, with OneCare beta running (which is a resource hog at the moment) and without OneCare, it sits around 200MB or so. I think it’s the same with XP… not too sure, will need to check. Obviously, it’s all depending on what drivers you have loaded up at startup (i.e. mine has the 56k modem driver, the firewall, the Windows Defender, etc)
Check out the screenshots at http://www.hypergallery.co.uk/vistabetas - ignore the other screenshots of the previous beta build - look on page 2 for build 6000 for the new screenshots.
Well, there you go, this was my “Mini Review” of the new operating system - Windows Vista Ultimate. 
If you have any questions or want me to make a screenshot of something - let me know!
