Vista - Vista SP1 Release Candidate expected next week

Microsoft is looking to release the Release Candidate (RC) test build of Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 to selected testers the week of December 1, according to sources close to the company.

Microsoft’s plan is to expand the SP1 RC test to the general public by making the build available to any interested parties in the second week of December, sources said.

Microsoft is currently testing the escrow of the SP1 RC build internally. The build being tested internally is build number 17051, sources said.
Microsoft has said it is planning to deliver the final SP1 code in the first quarter of 2008.

Microsoft made a preview build of the Vista SP1 RC available to 15,000 pre-selected testers on November 14.

It’s not clear if Microsoft is planning to make next week’s RC of Vista SP1 available to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) testers. Microsoft posted to the MSDN site on November 2 a note saying the company had made available for download a preview of the Vista SP1 code. But the note was posted in error.

I’ve asked Microsoft for confirmation on the latest SP1 RC schedule details. No word back yet.

Source:- » Vista SP1 Release Candidate expected next week | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com

Vista SP1 versus XP SP3

I'll take security and stability over speed any day of the week. For those still hanging on to XP you better enjoy SP3 ... it's the last service pack you're gonna get.