Should I use Windows Vista or the Windows 7 Release Candidate?

[Nimrodz]

Hello. I'm building a new computer, and I'm trying to decide which OS to put on it. Should I use Vista until the retail version of 7 comes out in October or should I use the 7 RC? Is the RC stable enough to use as my main OS for this computer until the final version is released? Or should I just stick with Vista until then? Thanks.

[-pops-]

Vista is an obsolescent system - to be replaced very soon by Windows 7 so, in my opinion, there is little point in installing Vista (at considerable cost) only to have it replaced or replaceable in a few months time with a better O/S.

Using W7 RC will allow you to get used to the main features and virtues of the system ready for the final edition.

There are a couple of things you should bear in mind, though:

1. An RC candidate may have numerous items which may or may not be issued in the final version.

2. An RC candidate closely follows the facilities of the most comprehensive version of the final product. If the version you eventually purchase is anything less than that, there will be some aspects which are lacking and which you may have become familiar with.

Remember as well that there is almost a year* to experiment with the RC so no need to rush out and buy.

* Full functionality begins to fail in March 2010:

Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You'll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use.

From http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

[Nimrodz]

I have decided to use The Windows RC for now. Thank you for your help.