Windows 7 - Should I bother..

[Mars]

I can get a copy of 7 Ult DSP.
The question is.. Should I bother? I'm quite happy with xp and I'm a bit concerned with this Virtualization thing. The check says I need some kind of hardware for this... Thats the only issue that comes up with the check. Is it THAT awesome that I should learn a whole new thing?

 

[killadoob]

Dude xp compared to windows 7 is a joke.

Upgrade dude, honestly xp was good but after you use windows 7 i can almost guarantee you will hate xp.

Windows 7 should run all your software just depending on what you use.

What programs do you use that may be a problem? Also try and get 64 bit windows 7 depending on your pc specs.

 

[rurapente]

XP was very stable. Just like a 1975 Toyota was. But do you want to drive one today?

 

[Mars]

ok.. I will give it a bash.

Unfortunately I don't have a choice. Its 32bit or nothing. Can I upgrade, I will I have to do a clean install?

 

[killadoob]

Yup clean install is the best idea.

32bit is fine, just 64 would be better . Let us know what your thoughts are, just please bare in mind windows 7 and xp are not very different but the interface is very different so don't get shocked and just play with it for a while before writing it off.

 

[rurapente]

ok.. I will give it a bash.

Unfortunately I don't have a choice. Its 32bit or nothing. Can I upgrade, I will I have to do a clean install?

u can only upgrade Vista to 7, not XP. So a clean install as mentioned is the best option. Just one word of warning, check your apps/games etc for windows 7 compatibility. Its no use changing only to find out something you need to use everyday doesnt work. (there is compat mode but even then... )

 

[oober]

Running Win 7 and it has the performance of XP with the looks of Vista...

 

[icyrus]

In reality, other than mild interface changes what does 7 offer over Vista?

What is the key selling point to replace Vista Ultimate with 7?

 

[rurapente]

In reality, other than mild interface changes what does 7 offer over Vista?

What is the key selling point to replace Vista Ultimate with 7?

Think Vista, with XP stability. its basically what Vista should have been

+ a few minor extras.

 

[LancelotSA]

Are you back tracking here killa?

When I first read this first post of yours I thought Win 7 must be exceptional. There was even a guarantee thrown in by you.

Dude xp compared to windows 7 is a joke.

Upgrade dude, honestly xp was good but after you use windows 7 i can almost guarantee you will hate xp.

Then when the OP made his mind up to give it a try you starting doubting yourself...

please bare in mind windows 7 and xp are not very different but the interface is very different so don't get shocked and just play with it for a while before writing it off.

 

[TheMightyP]

I've used XP for a long time. I tried Vista, but gave up after 2 weeks. Now I'm trying Win7. It's also a big departure in terms of functionality - don't let the marketing fool you, Win7 is just Vista, face-lifted. I like the looks, but some of the stuff they've done is really hard to get used to. But, the plain answer is, if you need Microsoft in order to work, you basically have to go to Win 7. Yes, most of your apps will work, but there are always teething issues. And the interface is really different.

 

[icyrus]

Think Vista, with XP stability. its basically what Vista should have been

+ a few minor extras.

So in other words skip this one? I don't think the price is justified for a facelift for my purposes. Thanks.

On a side note I've had very little problem with stability on Vista.

 

[Arthur]

I can get a copy of 7 Ult DSP.
The question is.. Should I bother? I'm quite happy with xp and I'm a bit concerned with this Virtualization thing. The check says I need some kind of hardware for this... Thats the only issue that comes up with the check. Is it THAT awesome that I should learn a whole new thing?

If that's your only issue, then don't bother. If XP suits you fine, or Linux or whatever, then stick with that. Third Rule of Computing: Don't Fiddle With What's Working.

Personally speaking, I like to keep current. I like the new capabilities, tighter security model, streamlined UI tweaks, better/easier device support, more elegant sub-system architectures, etc. But that's just me. For purely functional reasons I could do almost as well on DOS+Win3.11. Or Win2K. For me there's no first reason; every reason to upgrade is really a second reason, ie there's no objective compelling reason that stands out that I would say applies to almost everyone, so it's different strokes and all that. I find Win7-64 faster, more stable, cleaner, sleeker, easier and just generally niftier all round. Yes it needs more memory, but that's the way of PCs. I remember when people said they'd never upgrade to OS/2 because the system ideally needed one whole megabyte of RAM. I remember when a large hard disk was 20 megabytes. So I don't mind larger memory and storage requirements - indeed, I expect them as the generations deploy, on any platform. Et cetera.

 

[PeterCH]

I can get a copy of 7 Ult DSP.
The question is.. Should I bother? I'm quite happy with xp and I'm a bit concerned with this Virtualization thing. The check says I need some kind of hardware for this... Thats the only issue that comes up with the check. Is it THAT awesome that I should learn a whole new thing?

What do you want to do?

Why upgrade.
If you're using Vista, it's probably wise to upgrade.
If you need the Direct X10 and 11.
If you need to access >3.5GB of RAM - then you'll need a Win 7 64bit box.
If you need better security without relying on 3rd party apps, you'll still need an AV.
If you need some of the features of 7 - (eg bitlocker). There are free open source alternatives often available (eg TrueCrypt).

Why not to upgrade.
All your stuff runs fine and is XP compatible or requires XP.
Your system is patched and you know how to secure it.
You have limited disk space - Windows 7 takes up more HDD space, the XP virtual machine takes up additional space on top of that.
You don't want to learn the new interface.
Your CPU isn't Windows 7 XP virtual machine compatible.
You could use the spare cash.
You don't want to reinstall all your applications.
Windows 7 is still vulnerable to viruses and malware.

It all comes down to that. Bear mind mind you can't upgrade, you have to format-install. Also keep in mind that, your new machine will probably come with Windows 7 anyway, so why spend the cash?

I'm keeping all 4 of my systems XP. For what I do, Windows 7 will not offer me any benefits - I'm not an eye candy enthusiast. I can use the cash elsewhere too - Ballmer is rich enough already.

 

[Arthur]

Ballmer is rich enough already.

Hehe. As an aside: Ballmer draws a lousy salary and makes less than most Fortune 500 CEOs. His wealth comes from Microsoft stock.

 

[kronoSX]

What do you want to do?

Why upgrade.
If you're using Vista, it's probably wise to upgrade.
If you need the Direct X10 and 11.
If you need to access >3.5GB of RAM - then you'll need a Win 7 64bit box.
If you need better security without relying on 3rd party apps, you'll still need an AV.
If you need some of the features of 7 - (eg bitlocker). There are free open source alternatives often available (eg TrueCrypt).

Why not to upgrade.
All your stuff runs fine and is XP compatible or requires XP.
Your system is patched and you know how to secure it.
You have limited disk space - Windows 7 takes up more HDD space, the XP virtual machine takes up additional space on top of that.
You don't want to learn the new interface.
Your CPU isn't Windows 7 XP virtual machine compatible.
You could use the spare cash.
You don't want to reinstall all your applications.
Windows 7 is still vulnerable to viruses and malware.

It all comes down to that. Bear mind mind you can't upgrade, you have to format-install. Also keep in mind that, your new machine will probably come with Windows 7 anyway, so why spend the cash?

I'm keeping all 4 of my systems XP. For what I do, Windows 7 will not offer me any benefits - I'm not an eye candy enthusiast. I can use the cash elsewhere too - Ballmer is rich enough already.

true yes..not to upgrade, but dont you think that you should have at least one pc running the latest software

 

[DJNgoma]

What do you want to do?

Why upgrade.
If you're using Vista, it's probably wise to upgrade.
If you need the Direct X10 and 11.
If you need to access >3.5GB of RAM - then you'll need a Win 7 64bit box.
If you need better security without relying on 3rd party apps, you'll still need an AV.
If you need some of the features of 7 - (eg bitlocker). There are free open source alternatives often available (eg TrueCrypt).

There is Direct X 11 in Vista.
Vista and XP came in 64bit, so yeah.
If you need better security without 3rd party apps... Install Microsoft Security Essentials
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Micr...ials-Now-Windows-7-RTM-Certified-125205.shtml.
Hopefully this is not a big problem for TrueCrypt users...
http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Bootkit-bypasses-hard-disk-encryption-742721.html.

 

[killadoob]

Are you back tracking here killa?

When I first read this first post of yours I thought Win 7 must be exceptional. There was even a guarantee thrown in by you.



Then when the OP made his mind up to give it a try you starting doubting yourself...

I have not doubted myself, i have just said that going from windows xp to windows 7 is a very different experience because everything that you know in xp is just changed or moved.

When i first went from xp to vista i did not like vista it took me a couple weeks of just forcing myself to use it to used to it and then i loved it. So i am not sure where i am doubting myself i just said he must not get into windows 7 thinking he will know everything about it and he must take some time to get used to it.

So i am not sure what you are getting but anyhow. O and please ignore anything peter says.

Arthur i remember windows 98 worked but everyone upgraded to windows xp? Why is it different, honestly windows xp offered more reliability and better looks, exactly the same as windows 7 yet everyone upgraded. I would never have told someone to stick with 98 over xp even if 98 was working for them. Windows 7 is far better than xp. So the OP can listen to arthur and peter but i suspect he will be the one losing out.

Lance windows 7 is exceptional but it does take some getting used to from xp.

IC the main difference between vista and windows 7 in my opinion is the speed, windows 7 is fast on any pc where as vista needed good hardware to run well.

 

[LancelotSA]

I think you will find that Microsoft brought these sort of questions and threads on themselves. Some of us don't just use our computers for home use, they are business machines. We get the praises of Vista sung to us so we make the effort to upgrade. That flops. We downgrade back to XP so we can do some work without the hassles.

Now Windows 7 comes out and we again we are bombarded with the marketing. Do we make the change again? Or do we hold off and let them release a few service packs before making the change?

 

[killadoob]

Lance windows 7 is nothing like vista, vista failed purely because it ran purely on slower pc's so upgrading to vista also meant upgrading hardware.

This is not the case with windows 7, vista also had a very bad rep prior to release from people who used the beta, windows 7 has had nothing but praise from just about all the beta testers, obviously you get people like peter who knock something without having used it but those are the ones you just ignore.

Windows 7 does not need a service pack, windows 7 is vista SP3 in my opinion , perfection. Like i said people can listen to the likes of peter or they can listen to the millions who tested the beta and love it. Their choice at the end of the day.

What sold me on windows 7 and my favorite new addition is the taskbar and pinning icons to it, i freakin love it. Works so nicely.