More Fodder for Vista Critics Surfaces

Is anyone surprised to learn Microsoft had its own reservations over Vista?

Today we are learning more about Microsoft's decision to lower the minimum technical requirements needed to run Windows Vista to appease partners such as Intel. Microsoft's decision to put its partners before customers is sure to raise the ire among those frustrated when they attempted to upgrade from Windows XP to Vista and ran into hiccups.

According to internal e-mails released as part of a lawsuit that claims Microsoft deceived buyers when it promoted PCs as "Windows Vista Capable" Microsoft officials voiced some of the same complaints about missing drivers and crippled graphics as consumers have.

According to e-mails in one case Microsoft executives knew Intel 915 graphics chips weren't up to snuff to handle some features of Windows Vista. Worse it appears Microsoft put its profits and Intel's profits before a consumers experience. In one e-mail Microsoft General Manager John Kalkman wrote: "It was a mistake on our part to change the original graphics requirements? In the end, we lowered the requirement to help Intel make their quarterly earnings so they could continue to sell motherboards with the 915 graphics embedded."

Intel, according to published reports, denies the link to its finances and has declined comment on the e-mails.

This entire Vista mess is shedding new light on problems PC World has been reporting for some time about Vista compatibility. Back in October we were reporting nine months after Vista's release lots of hardware and software products still didn't work with the Vista operating system - including some that are certified as Vista compatible.

In our original story last year Ben Reed, product marketing manager for the Windows Vista Logo Program, told us that Microsoft has worked more extensively with its hardware and software partners on ensuring Vista compatibility than it did with Windows XP.

This week's e-mail revelations will do nothing but fan the anti-Vista flames.

In separate news Microsoft has reduced the price of Vista. Is this a Microsoft concession for Vista ills? How about a Vista pain and suffering rebate of $100 for Vista buyers?

Lastly, I would like to apologize for my previous blog on the lawsuit against Microsoft. Before this new information came to light it appeared as if hardware manufacturers had labeled PCs as Vista compatible based on specifications provided by Microsoft. Now, with these emails, it appears that Microsoft knowingly gave the OK to a PC chipset that was incompatible at worst and "barely works" at best. That is just dirty business, and I'm glad it has come to light.