Windows 7 came on the scene Oct. 22, just as promised by Microsoft. No delays and no major issues.
You may remember the scramble by Microsoft to release patches and updates after Windows Vista and yes, even when the venerable Windows XP were released.
But should you be rushing out to purchase your copy of Windows 7?
We have been running pre-release versions of Windows 7 since last summer, and we have been very impressed. We pre-ordered a copy and it was delivered via UPS to our front door on the 22nd. No standing in line, no waiting.
The upgrade version of Windows 7 Professional we received retails for about $120. The box tells us that if we’re running Vista we can run a simple upgrade. If you have XP you are warned that you will need to backup your files, install Windows 7 from scratch, then re-install your programs and restore your data.
Before upgrading we ran a Microsoft utility that gave us a rundown of hardware and software that may have compatibility issues with Windows 7.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that virtually everything was compatible with our new operating system. Ironically, it was our Microsoft keyboard and Microsoft ExpressionStudio software that were flagged as incompatible.
Bumps in the road, inevitably
There was a significant bump in the road, however. When we ran the upgrade installer we got a message saying our version of Vista (Vista Ultimate) could not be upgraded.
This meant that we would need to wipe our hard drive and start from scratch. Fortunately, we have both on-line and local backups so, while inconvenient, it was not a deal-breaker.
Once we commenced the installation everything went smoothly. Installation takes just under 90 minutes. When the installation finished we checked for unrecognized hardware. In this final real-world test, the only issue was the Microsoft keyboard. However, it did work, although the special keys needed new software.
Our older HP scanner, wireless printer, Wacom tablet, Saitek rudder pedals and joystick and even our obscure Hercules webcam all showed up in the Devices and Printers area of the Control Panel.
Speaking of the Control Panel, the new Control Panel boasts more than 50 icons. Some are familiar, but there are some new ones.
The Parental Controls icon takes you to a screen that allows you to select a user and set restrictions such as hours the user can use the computer, games the user is or is not allowed to play and programs the user can and cannot access. It’s not perfect, but combined with a little parental supervision it is a step forward.
Another feature we’ve been anticipating is the Action Center. The center allows users to configure Backup options to DVD, external hard drive or a location on your network. The Action Center also allows users to manage Windows updates, Windows security and Windows Restore Points.
There is even a tool that helps users troubleshoot problems with Windows. Users will find it much easier to navigate the setup and configuration of Windows 7.
Those features I mentioned are nice, and you can find more information about the new and improved features in reviews and promotional pieces on the Internet.
What features really make the big difference in Windows 7?
Let’s take a look at the things that really make a difference in how you use Windows 7.
The first thing that struck us was the speed with which Windows starts. The computer we upgraded from Vista Ultimate would take as long as five minutes to boot up from the time we turned it on until we could use it.
With Windows 7 the same computer boots in less than two minutes. While Windows 7 still only recognizes 3.25GB of my 4GB of RAM, it seems to use memory and other resources more efficiently.
For example, one of the games we use frequently is Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X. Running on Windows XP and Windows Vista many of the features in Flight Sim X, such as scenery details, frame rate and overall realism had to be set below the maximum settings. Even then the game tended to crash unexpectedly.
So far under Windows 7 we have been able to configure the settings in the game to their maximum values and have yet to have the system crash on us.
The other thing that stands out are the networking capabilities of Windows 7. If you have other Windows 7 computers on it’s very simple to share your music, pictures and other files on your home or office network. Even with a mix of Windows versions as well as a couple of Macs on our network we had absolutely no problems accessing files and printers on these other computers.
So, should you rush out and get the upgrade to Windows 7? In our opinion probably not. Windows XP has been around for a long time and most of the bugs have been worked out. Windows Vista can be annoying at times but chances are you’ve learned to live with its messages and awkward networking.
On the other hand, if you consistently have network issues or hardware compatibility issues an upgrade probably makes sense. Likewise, if you have been waiting to purchase a new computer due to reservations about Windows Vista then now would be an excellent time to move forward since new computers are being loaded with Windows 7.
Bottom line: in our opinion Windows 7 is one of the best releases of Windows ever. It’s probably what Microsoft wanted Vista to be.
It is certainly an improvement over Windows Vista, but if you have been using previous versions of Windows you are probably (relatively) comfortable with what you have. There’s no need to rush out and get Windows 7. On the other hand, if you’re looking to buy a new PC, we think you will love the new Windows.
Sven Mogelgaard is the owner of Mill Creek-based Byte Slaves Inc. (www.byteslaves.com) and can be reached by calling 425-482-9529. Will Rutherford is the owner of Bothell-based Computer Concepts (www.conceptsnet.com) and can be reached by calling 425-481-3666.
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