Microsoft are getting ready to release an RC of the service pack for Windows Vista. Really only for advanced users, the "Release Candidate" shows that the official service pack 1 is getting very close for release to the waiting public.

Maybe this will convert a few more XP users to Vista? I’m sure there will be an impact, as power users & IT professionals traditionally always wait for the first service pack, before even touching a Microsoft OS. However, Windows XP has the advantage of being well bedded in. Next year will also see the arrival of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP and early reports are stating a 10% performance increase over SP2. Couple that with the fact that even Microsoft themselves are offering downgrade packages from Vista and you can quickly see that this will really only be news for current Vista owners. [SHOW ME]