I did not wait for any email invite to download RC1 (5600), so I downloaded it last night from my XP Pro install on my main computer using Firefox. This morning I burned the DVD and installed it as a dual boot with XP on the D hard drive.

The install was perfect and it took about 30 minutes. I used my Beta 2 key and that worked right.

So far I like the speed and performance of Vista RC1. It is almost as fast as XP. I actually find playing DVD movies better with Media Player 11 than in Media Center. After installing the various programs that I want to run, such as Office Beta 2, paging file and System Restore files, the amount of space used was just a bit over 17 gigabytes. My XP Pro install on the C drive with all the applications that I like to run, paging file and System Restore Files, is about 17.9 gigabytes. I do have a few more things on XP than on Vista such as Nero 7 Ultra, Diskeeper Professional, and Avast Home Edition. I am using AVG Free Edition with Vista. When Nero and Diskeeper become compatible with Vista, then I will install them on Vista.

So far what what I have seen of the performance of Vista RC1, if the final is like this or better, I may indulge and get the Home Premium Upgrade. I have a couple of legitimate copies of XP (one is Home and the other is Professional) at home that should fit the bill just nicely.

BTW, I am running Office 2007 Beta 2 (not the Technical Refresh) on Vista RC1 and it funs just fine here.

William