Last Updated 4/Oct/2009
Review: Windows 7
Has Microsoft, at last, produced the ultimate Operating System with Windows 7? Ian Waugh wonders if Vista and XP are now truly dead...
| Product | Windows 7 |
|---|---|
| Company | Microsoft |
| Web | www.microsoft.com/windows |
| Price | $119.99-219.99 £64.99-159.98 |
| We like | Sleek, fast, compact, efficient |
| We don't like | Some features should be included in Home Premium |
| Rating | 9/10 |
| Requirements | 1GHz CPU, 1Gb RAM, DirectX9 graphics (probably most machines that can run XP) |
If you're a Windows user, you can't have escaped news of Window 7. It's been available for everyone to try out. However, many people don't have the time or inclination, and installing a beta OS is not everyone's idea of a day at the seaside. So here's our quick take on Microsoft's Windows 7.
It was pretty clear soon after the release of Vista that it was not the OS we hoped for and Microsoft claimed it to be. Many users are still quite happily using XP.
It could be argued that Windows 7 is what Vista should have been and it's difficult to disagree with that point of view. But forget coulda woulda shoula. Windows 7 is here now and the question for users of either Vista or XP is whether or not to upgrade. We'll answer that in a minute but first, let's see what's in Windows 7.
First of all, to cut to the chase, there's not a lot that's actually brand new in Win 7. It does have an improved and much tidier interface but most of the benefits of Win 7 take place under the hood.
Lean mean machine
It's not as resource-hungry as Vista. It will run with just 1Gb RAM and on a 1GHz PC making it perfect for netbooks as well as older PCs.
And it's more efficient, meaning it runs faster. Virtually every operation from start-up to shut down is faster. File copying in particular is twice as fast as XP and up to three times faster than Vista. Searching is fast, windows open more quickly - it's altogether a faster operating system.
The interface has been revamped. You can pin icons to the task bar, making the Quick Launch bar redundant, and other improvements make general program operation sleeker and more intuitive.
Of major interest to Vista users will be the improved handling of the UAC (User Account Control) prompt. You have more control over how intrusive it actually is but it still prevents malware from changing settings.
To help maintain its compact footprint, Win 7 no longer includes Windows Messenger, Movie Maker and Mail but these are available free as part of Windows Live.
Even after a year's gestation period, Win 7 will still inevitably get a swath of updates and fixes. It's unavoidable given the range and variety of PC hardware and software, but it's undoubtedly one of the most stable Windows releases.
Three Windows
There are three versions of Windows 7 and Microsoft lists the differences on its website:
www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare-editions/default.aspx
We think XP compatibility mode should be included with Home Premium. It's not exactly a 'Pro' requirement and will be more useful to home users than professional users.
Also, as we're rife with scam emails and hackers, it's difficult to see why BitLocker is only given to Ultimate users. You could be forgiven for thinking that Microsoft has a duty to its users to help them protect their data. The extra cost for the Ultimate edition seems hard to justify and Vista Ultimate users will still be smarting from the promise of goodies that never arrived.
A word on pricing. Strangely, for UK residents, the price of Win 7 in the UK is actually cheaper than the dollar equivalent in the USA. But only just. And only at the 'discounted' rate. For example, in the UK, the Full version of Home Premium is £149.99 (around $238) but most retailers, including Amazon (see below) are selling it for £64.98 (around $103).
Equally odd is the fact that the Upgrade version of Home Premium is technically £79.99 but currently discounted to £69.99, 1p more than the Full version. Home Premium Full in the USA is $119.99 but that seems to be the full price and it doesn't seem to have been discounted.
You can compare prices using our links below but the morale is to buy now, just in case Redmond foolishly decides to remove the discounts. If it did that, the value factor of Win 7 would decrease dramatically although most users will, one way or another, eventually have to migrate.
Upgrade or not?
So, let's get back to the question of whether Vista and/or XP users should upgrade.
If you're running XP on a machine of the XP era with a favourite software set that just simply works, you're probably better off sticking with it for the life of the machine. Although Win 7 will likely happily run on it, performing a new installation and re-installing all your software and duplicating your data is probably not worthwhile.
If you opted for XP over Vista (many people opted to 'downgrade' from Vista to XP because of XP's proven track record, reliability and lower resource requirements) then it's certainly worth considering an upgrade to Win 7 for the improved functionality and interface.
If you're a Vista user - well, if you absolutely love Vista the way it is, probably not. However, for the other 99.999% of users, as we said at the beginning, Win 7 is the Windows Vista should have been. You'll see a sleeker interface, a less power-hungry, faster, more efficient OS and, quite possibly, you'll start enjoying using your PC again!
If you're buying a new machine - Win 7 is the way to go. Absolutely.
It's very topical (and has been for many years) to knock Microsoft but this time, they've got it right. Rejoice in Windows 7 and enjoy your PC as it was meant to be used.
We'll have more on Win 7 in the coming months.
