|
|
Windows Vista vs. Windows 7As October 22 2009 approaches, many computer users with Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system installed will be wondering what to do when Microsoft’s new Windows 7 is launched. Despite some innovations, Vista has taken a beating from numerous critics since its appearance in 2005. Average users, not as critical as computer geeks, have not always been hugely impressed either.
In particular, many users find Vista’s bootup and shutdown time is relatively slow and it takes up more system capacity than many of us are willing to give. The User Account Control system also annoys many users, with irritating prompts every time the user wants to undertake administrator-domain tasks. Older programs often don’t work, making ‘Vista-compatible’ a word that raises many users’ blood pressure. Blue screens, hanging and freezing requiring a reboot seem frustratingly regular. The net result is that many unsuspecting users who acquired Vista as the non-optional standard on a new PC feel a tad swindled. Many of us mourn Windows XP, which remains a very popular operating system. But there’s no going back. Unquestionably Vista has some advantages over XP. Much has been made of its increased security features. It does have a reasonably user-friendly interface, fun features and useful tools. The Windows Media Center is handy. The Snipping Tool makes screenshots easy. Searching is easier than ever. There’s lots to like. Going back to XP would probably feel like a reversion, even if you’re a Vista-hater. But the big question is: with Windows 7 will we get that warm glow of satisfaction we had with Windows XP? Do we abandon Vista and opt for Windows 7? It’s worthwhile considering some of the following issues. ° Where do you live? If you’re in the US you can buy an upgrade for Vista ($120 for the Home Premium version on Amazon.com) and it should all be plain sailing. This does not apply to Europe. Because of European antitrust suits the European Windows 7 will be crippled and also won’t include Internet Explorer 8. It’s not that cheap either. There is no Vista upgrade option so you’ll have to start from scratch. (Even in the US, if you’re upgrading from XP or any other OS you’ll have to do a custom, or ‘clean’, installation, which means backing up everything and all that hoopla). ° What do you want it for? Vista is allegedly better for some things. Apparently Windows 7 Moviemaker has fewer features than Vista had, for example (and some handy features, like Vista’s Calendar just vanish in Windows 7). But Windows 7 has enhanced PC entertainment features, better device management and new support for watching TV on your computer. Gamers seem to like DirectX 11. But do you need it? ° How important are bells and whistles? Windows 7 boasts all sorts of natty desktop innovations like Jump Lists (quick access to often-used files) and ways to manage multiple windows. They sound like great fun, but if you’ve managed without them, do you really have to have them now? If touch screen technology is your bag, or if a home network is important to you, you’ll probably find Windows 7 a great leap forward. Decisions, DecisionsWindows 7 (the Beta and RC versions, at least) has had some good press, much of it along the lines of ‘the problems experienced with Vista have been fixed’. And it’s faster. If Vista has been the bane of your life, Windows 7 might be just what you need. The problem is that expert opinions diverge hugely and for the average user it’s hard to decide what weight to give to them. Vista notwithstanding, it’s hard to imagine a new Windows OS that is substantially worse than its predecessor. Are the benefits worth a hundred bucks? It depends a lot on your experience with Vista and whether you have a special demand for software that fulfils special functions. For many of us it’s going to be a question of ‘wait and see’. It’s the logical choice in recessionary times and for those of us who don’t really have the expertise to evaluate the techno talk. People may want to wait for the full retail version, just in case it isn’t up to the standard of the trial versions. The smart thing to do may be to wait to see what happens when millions of people are using it, from October 09 onwards - it’s certainly going to be making headlines. It makes sense to some of us to wait to hear what people we know think of it. On the whole there’s a good aura surrounding the pending launch of Windows 7. Whether it’s hype or whether the key to happiness is at hand remains to be seen.
|
Speed-up Computer Articles
How to Make Windows 7 Faster
|
|
