I got a free copy of Windows Vista Ultimate edition with SP1 at Microsoft Launch Heroes event, so I decided to install on my laptop. Here is the configuration of my Gateway laptop (Purchased in June 2005):
1) Intel Centrino 1.83GHz (single core)
2) 1.25GB memory
3) ATI graphics card with 64MB memory
4) 40GB 4200RPM hardisk (PATA)
Here is my observation:
1) All hardware was recognized, and all drivers were installed without providing any addtional disks.
2) Some applications can't be installed such as Nero software . I installed Adobe professional 7.0 without problem.
3) The booting speed was a little bit slower comparing with XP SP2 (but my XP SP2 is on 5400RPM harddisk).
4) After booting up, it ran slower than XP SP2 (but my XP Sp2 is on a 54000RPM harddisk).
5) It consumed more memory than XP SP2.