Windows 7

[John]

"Welcome one and all, before we distribute the Cheesy Wotzits and release the Microsoft balloons, here's a few of the exciting new features of Windows 7...."

Well that's how my "Windows 7 Party" might start, you'll have to check out YouTube to see how the Americans run these rather tacky events! Maybe I won't bother...

But Sue now has her new Windows 7 laptop and it's very slick I must say. Faster than Vista, less demanding of computer power and less annoying in that it's not always checking that you approve of doing what you're doing. So far actually very impressed.

I just want to know why Sue always gets the new cameras and new computers first. Where am I going wrong?

[Bioshox]

I'm not sure whether to invest or not, its going to be a big waste for me not to because of the DirectX 11.0 Functionality and with that in mind and my graphics card, game's will look amazing, I ran the beta within the first months of testing and I soon got rid of it as some of my programs had functionality issues with it, needless to say they will of been flattened out now, but really I have better things to spend £70 on than a new Operating System I don't need!

So I'm going to wait it out, and maybe invest in a Mac.

Although Microsoft seem to have listened this time and got it just about spot on, now all they need to do is reduce the price tag! How can they justify selling it at £60 and Mac doing Upgrades for just under £30!! (And much more stable too!)

My thoughts!

Jacob

[John]

If you have compatibility problems with older software, there is a compatibility mode that can handle back to Windows 95. Nice touch.

[Bioshox]

All Window's Enviroments have this feature, although it hardly ever works.

[sunsworth]

John, glad to hear that it's all working fine.

Of course at this point it's traditional for someone to say you should have bought a Mac. I'm sorry about that, but those of us who belong to the sect of St Jobs are contracted to interrupt any PC thread otherwise our machines self destruct <grin>.

It looks as if Windows 7 is an improvement over Vista - which from the reports I've read has been far from the success that Microsoft had hoped for.

Despite having a Mac I do run Windows for a couple of programs using some software called VMWare Fusion, I'm still running XP with that. I understand that the upgrade from XP to Vista involves a total reinstitution of all the Windows applications - which probably isn't a bad thing, but I don't think I can justify the expense given how little I use Windows.

[PhilipHowe]

Of course, there is the issue of Mr Job's offering randomly deleting files and unistalling your software for you.....

I'm very keen to hear you update your review in a months time John. I'm currently using my wife's Dell Vista laptop and have not had a single problem with it in the last year (don't get me wrong, I'm surprised, but a full year without any problems whatsoever...).

I'll be sticking with Linus Torvalds incarnation regardless, but she needs something 'familiar'.

[John]

Steve, you can join in with Mike Riley and form a chorus for "you should have got a Mac"......maybe a whole musical!

I know what you're saying, but I'm afraid I don't like Safari and have a huge amount of Windows software that would cost a fortune to purchase again, so I'm locked in.

Still, you've done your Statutary Duty.....

[sunsworth]

John, personally I don't use Safari, I prefer Firefox. However, you are correct that it's the software that's important, and I'm sure you made the correct personal decision.

I _do_ hope Mr Jobs doesn't read this or I'm, a goner.

[Mike]

So I'm going to wait it out, and maybe invest in a Mac.

Good for graphics, bad for games!

Windows 7 (or 6.1 as it should be called) is supposed to be getting good reviews and performance improvements. It would be a recommended update for anyone who has Vista.

[Theo Dibbits]

Upgrade is £ 58.94 at Tesco.
The packaging states that it can only be used as an automatic upgrade from Vista and that when upgrading from XP a clean install is required. Does that mean that there is a different price to upgrade from XP?

Theo

[sunsworth]

Theo, according to Amazon there's one upgrade for both systems...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windo ... 134&sr=8-3

If you're upgrading from XP you need to re-install all software other than the OS once the upgrade is complete. That might call problems for people, how can I put this, that don't have the original installation discs.

[Cookie]

My window 7 arrived last monday. I love it and I did not move up to vista, I have gone straight from XP. It is quick, slick and I find it simple to use. Our other son is doing one of these launch parties tomorrow in Manchester.

Glenys

[Theo Dibbits]

Steve

That was very helpful
On the amazon site I picked up the following link
http://windows.microsoft.com/upgrade
At the bottom it lets you download a small program called windows 7 upgrade adviser. It checks your system, your existing OS and all the drivers currently installed for compatibility. It picked up a problem with my current router. I am impressed.

Whilst checking routers on the Scan website I came across this explanation.
http://www.scan.co.uk/TekSpek/Index.aspx?ArticleId=120
Bl....y nightmare

It is clear that the upgrade will work but coming from XP it will be a full day's work to get everything loaded again. However from previous experience a clean install will speed the system up nicely.
One main open question is:
Has any one used Photoshop 7 under windows 7??? The Adobe website states that they have not tested any version before CS3. I presume they want you to part with more money.

So the problem has now moved to "do I change the BT router or do I change to Virgin" and what can I expect with photoshop.
When it comes to Windows nothing in life is easy.

Theo

[John]

Photoshop 7 and CS2 both work fine with Windows 7.

[Tom Gerrard]

Theo,

I've had Windows 7 for some time now and it's OK and that's about it. I really can't get that excited about it. People say it's more stable and much faster than XP and Vista. For the first part, I must have been lucky because I had no stability problems with Vista. As for '7' being faster, I have no way of measuring time in nanoseconds. Admittedly it appears a little faster when executing menial tasks but in Photoshop manipulations I can't see much difference. If I was made to go back to Vista I would certainly not lose any sleep over it. I would advise anyone who has XP or Vista that works OK, don't feel you're missing out on a new incredible 'super dooper' new platform, because you are not. It's only a tweaked up version of what you already have.

You say "When it comes to Windows nothing in life is easy". In my experience, when it comes to Windows, spending money is very easy, if you allowed it to be and like me, I don't think you do. Good man.

Regards, Tom.