By now, you'll have read our coverage about yesterday's Vista launch? If not, try here , here , here and here . As something of a follow up, I thought it was about time I nailed my colours to the mast and said what I really think about the new OS.

But first, here are four prerequisite statements you'll need before you read on.

1) I own a Mac

2) I use and like OS X

3) I own PCs

4) Windows Vista is a pretty kickass operating system

You see, usually statements 2 and 4 are mutually exclusive. Like chalk and cheese, you might say. But I do own a Mac. But I also own PCs. And I do think that Windows Vista is a fantastic operating system. It clearly raises issues - like the not inconsiderable outlay needed. But don't necessarily agree that it needs a top spec to run - we have it on an old Athlon 64/Radeon 9800 Pro system here in the office.

Anyway, back to my main muse. On forums and sites across the globe yesterday, there were posts about the various launches of Vista. One, at the website of a national broadsheet (ok, Berliner) paper, had 123 comments.

Most weren't from PC users. Many were from OS X users, moaning about Vista. Some used Linux - one bloke on a 486. They were moaning about Vista, too. Then there was the guy that still used Windows 2000 as he didn't think it was worth upgrading.

None of these people have ever used Windows Vista.

In fact, I'd wager that most of the OS X users (and definitely the 486 Linux chap) haven't even properly used XP. But it's the Mac fans that are the most vociferous out of any of these minority groups.

I use OS X regularly and think it's an extremely robust and usable OS. But the PC still offers me flexibility I just can't get on my Mac. I don't believe that Vista is as big a sea change as the move to Windows 95 or even to XP, but I do think Vista is much improved across the board.

I previously wrote a piece called 'Why nobody wants Windows Vista.' It's been on the internet for months, but has recently caused quite a stir for some reason. It's just that I think Microsoft hasn't sold these 'across the board' improvements terribly well. Nor, as I've said, do I think it's as big an improvement as the new interface of 95 or the drastically improved plug and play nature of XP.

Most people think Vista is just XP with a lick of paint. If you're one of those people, you're wrong. But you also can't be blamed. You just haven't really been told what it can actually do because, well, the improved usability of an OS isn't really something that can be put across in a marketing message. You really do need to see and use it.

I agree that it's expensive. And there'll definitely be security holes. And yes, they'll be more of those amusing 'I'm a Mac, I'm a PC' ads poking fun. But if you're a PC fan, you really should embrace Vista.