Engadget recently put out a huge Vista vs. Leopard Showdown review in score card format. You should check it out - it’s a good real. But, if you’re interested in Windows Vista, but also in Mac’s Leopard OS, let me synopsize what I think you should know in a nutshell.

• Leopard has a better User Interface, BUT only Vista can do tablet and touch screens
• Leopard has a better Calendar, Contacts, and Email, but Vista has a way better Explorer
• IM, RSS, Text Editing, and File Transfer all better in Mac Leopard
• Leopard is hands down better at authoring DVD’s, editing video, and managing pictures
• Vista is hands down better at media hardware and extenders, and recording live tv
• Leopard has better system tools, remote desktop and no activation. Vista requires activation, no automation tools, and no remote desktop unless you have Vista Business or Ultimate
• Vista is better at filtering spam from email, but both are neck in neck in regards to security
• Gaming is better on Vista - period
• Leopard better at 64 but support and drive partitioning
• Vista is better at network storage and optimization

There are other features I’m sure you’ll want to read about in the checklist in that article. But I think my little laundry list clearly shows that if you are really going to make some kind of a decision between Mac Leopard and Windows Vista it really depends on your profile and what your main use of the machine really is. You can see for obvious reasons, that for the most part Vista is better for business users. Leopard can be great for people that wish to create dvd’s and edit video, and manage pictures. But if your more into gaming and want to do lots of tv recording or network storage Vista is definitely the one for you. I think that the main thing you get from this list is that Mac is finally some decent competition for Microsoft! You don’t have to be a photographer, graphic designer, or artist to want to use the Mac. But Mac users are still kind of “premium customers” in my book. Hardware costs more, support costs more, and you can’t always just jot off to Wal-Mart and pick up a new keyboard or mouse. Many things are interchangeable with PC’s, many are not. You’re not going to just run off to Staples and get a memory stick and slap it in your Mac. Caveat Emptor my friend, do a little research and reading before you buy!

The European Union (EU) dealt a striking blow last month when Reuters reported that the Europoean Union decision forbids Microsoft from bundling Windows Media Player in Windows Vista. This is a landmark ruling that also upheld a $689M fine. While it really didn’t impact their bottom line, or stock price, this will definitely change the way they market Windows from here on out. The ruling states that MS harms consumer choice by tying new applications to Windows in a way that hurt competition. Now Microsoft must bundle versions of Windows (in Europe) without Windows Media Player, but the thing that seems to bother me is - why was that the only program that they targeted? IE put Netscape out of business, Windows Vista now includes Spyware protection and hard drive encryption software, in addition to Windows Movie Maker, Outlook Express, and more. You would think that they should just sell these additional “features” as add-on software programs to compete directly with software vendors instead of ‘baking’ them into Windows.

Tags: Vista, Windows Media Player, Windows Vista, EU, competition, antitrust