King IT Services Ltd.

So I thought with all the hype surrounding Windows 7 i should give my review of it.  Now I am not a software reviewer, this is just my personal opinion.  I am not going to say that this should make Apple worry as some reviewers have, because I think OS-X is so far behind in market share that they are already aware of everything Microsoft does.  I also hear what everyone says about how wonderful it is, and how fast it is.  I agree with this all, but what are the reasons for this?  This version of Windows is stripped down of all the extra’s (you can thank the EU and anti-trust cases for that), so of course it loads quicker.  But then you need to go out and download all of the programs you need to make your computer actually do anything.

I think the real win for Microsoft with Windows 7 is in public relations.  People ‘love’ Windows 7.  I have been using Vista since day one and have beta tested Windows 7 from the early spring on multiple computers.  I have even run Windows 7 on my iMac in Sun’s virtual box.  It works great.  I have used a beta OS before, and have had no issues with 7 at all.  But then again I have no issues with Vista at this time either.  Vista has such a bad reputation (most of which is unfounded at this time in it’s exestince), that Microsoft needs Windows 7 more than we need Windows 7.

I will admit, I will be purchasing Windows 7 for all of my machines.  The question is, do you need to?  I would recommend to everyone who hates Vista to go ahead and change.  If it makes you feel better than it’s worth it.  If it makes you hate your PC less, go for it.  But if you have XP running right now, and it is working, I say don’t bother changing.  Do you remember all of that stuff that didn’t work with Vista when people upgraded from XP?  Most of that stuff may still not work for Windows 7.  You may still need a new printer and your accounting software may still not work with 7 (that was my personal experience with Vista).  But don’t upgrade.  If you need a new OS, buy a new PC. You can get a new PC for under $500.  An upgrade to 7 will cost you $120.  Thats $380 more for new everything.  I say its worth it if you are using a 3-8 year old  computer.

So do I like Windows 7, you bet I do.  Do I think Apple should be worried, you bet – if it looses its PR bump that Vista gave it, and 7 works well, they might have to start talking about their products and not just bashing Microsoft.  Do I think you should all rush out a buy it, not unless you already have Vista or are looking at a new PC.