Say hello to Windows Vista build 5456. It's an interim build released before Vista RC1 and already addresses many of Vista Beta 2's main flaws. Mainly speed, stability, UAC, and useability.
Aero has gotten a tuneup and Flip3D is antialiased (GOD THANK YOU). UAC is finally fixed (GOD THANK YOU x8). Speed is improved (Personally, I felt no difference but I think people closer to Minimum Reqs will)
It's gotten a lot of new icons, readded some old features for accessibility, added a listview option to Explorer (Thanks, I was mad when it was removed). Windows got a new set of mouse pointers (Really pretty), IE7 is updated with ability to move Tabs around and some fixes to other Applications.
Paul Thurrot and others are calling it what MS should of released as Beta 2. It's gotten all green lights and is a good reflection upon the final release.
I'll post my own screenshots and write a better description of my experiences later. Maybe this will solve performance problems you were having Ergot, unfortunately it's only for Connect members or *arr matie*..