Issue 44.09
The long-anticipated availability of Windows 7 has finally come. The roll-out is being accompanied by only a little bit of hype and a lot of deals on new computers. Microsoft perhaps has learned from the total bad-press failures of the Windows ME and Vista Operating Systems. Vista they were able to salvage by addressing the problems. Over time, it became a fairly stable and usable system even though it never solved many of the compatibility problems with older software and hardware.
There are a lot of promising signs that they have done their homework correctly this time around. They did extensive testing with real people in the real world. They have tried to make this system more usable and less power-consuming. There are actually computers out there that won’t run Vista, but will run Windows 7 (such as the 1 Gig memory and hard drive capable versions of the Netbook – the small lightweight laptops that are becoming popular). The look and feel of 7 is more intuitive and users of Windows XP will have little trouble adapting.
On the negative side, XP users must completely backup their data, format the hard drive, install 7, re-install their programs from the original disks and then restore their backed-up data. You should plan on 4-8 hours of downtime to do everything or have a professional do it for you. Vista users can simply use the upgrade approach, which leaves all the programs and data on the hard drive. I would still recommend strongly that you have a backup of anything important before you begin the process.
Also a concern for many is the price. There are number of different versions of Windows 7 with different capabilities. They range in price from $100 to $300, depending on whether they are an upgrade or full version and which capabilities you need (and where you buy them). I have seen one nice thing that Microsoft is doing to help: they have made a 3 machine upgrade package for $150. You can use it on up to three different machines, which is nice for people with multiple computers. It is only available in the Windows 7 Home Premium version, so some of the advanced capabilities (like the Windows XP mode) are not available with it.
You may want to get a whole new computer, as many manufacturers are deeply discounting their Windows 7 computers during this roll-out phase. I have seen good entry-level laptops from Dell, Gateway, HP and Toshiba for under $500 and desktops from around $400. Those deals will probably not last long.
As I get to know this new product better, I will pass along what I learn.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 27 years (locally with Musicomp & Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions, you can reach him at 668-7118.