Windows 7 - a Yes? or a No?

[-pops-]

Well, it's been out for a couple of weeks (and the time of beta and RC version) and I know a number of us have taken the plunge and installed Windows 7.

What is the general opinion of it as an operating system? Do you like it? How does it compare with the Windows version you were using prior to the new one?

Be as brief or as expansive (within reason) as you want.

Personally, I like it. I'm only a recent convert to Vista, having it ready installed on my new (first) laptop and I didn't like it very much. Windows 7, although superficially similar to Vista shows great improvement.

Of course, there will always be little niggles and things that are not liked but, give us your views.

[Boris]

Resounding YES (64bit version) :)

[Hb_Kai]

I'm not sure of this one...

It looks, behind its ugly evolution, just the same as Vista SP1 and yes, it's faster, just as fast as XP even which contributes towards a little applaud but it looks and feels horrible for me when I'm using it.

However, if I could find settings that can make it look more like XP, I would use it but for now, I'll put up with Vista and XP for my Windows laptops. :)

...and a little off-topic but, I'm getting fed up of seeing these new Windows 7 adverts on T.V!

[-pops-]

I'm getting fed up of seeing these new Windows 7 adverts on T.V!

So am I but, I'm the same with all TV adverts.

I'm really pleased there is a mute button - even for those rare occasions when I watch broadcast television.

[AlanHo]

I am typing this on my XP Netbook and am really missing my Windows 7 64 bit Desktop. However - I am 120 miles from home and it not worth dashing back just for the convenience of using Win7.

I was a Vista user from the day it was launched, having built a new PC especially for the change from XP. I have never understood all the negative press about Vista - for me it was always fast, stable, reliable and much easier to use than XP. The only problem I ever had was having to ditch an old scanner that Canon never issued drivers for.

I now find Windows 7 even better and have detailed in an earlier posting my only niggle - that being all explorer windows open to the size the last one was closed at and it is not possible to set a fixed window size for a particular folder.

[Alan2273]

Although I use Linux mainly, I have install 64bit W7 Home Premium on the wifes computer.

The only negative she found was getting used to the libraries, rather that using My Documents.

[Rebel=UK=]

Resounding YES (64bit version) :)

I agree , had no problems , apart from COD4. :)

[andsome]

In the main I quite like it, it has many pluses, but the odd minus. It is faster than XP and in conjunction with with Windows live mail I am definitely a fan. I was not happy at first with its Windows explorer, but have now sorted that out to my own satisfaction. I like the themes, but wish that I could change the opening music as I could in XP. I had a bit of Tchaikovsky to start up to. I have changed the incoming mail message and the close down to suit my self, so I am happy with that. I am getting to find out more about some of its features. I am glad that I changed over to it. I had some of you going though didn't I with my negative comments, even though I pre ordered it the first day it was available. :D

[catgate]

I had a bit of Tchaikovsky to start up to.

I was quite surprised you got W7 because I thought I had seen somewhere that they had fitted a nonremovable Mahler filter, in secret location.

[CurlyWhirly]

I am glad that I changed over to it. I had some of you going though didn't I with my negative comments, even though I pre ordered it the first day it was available. :D

:0

Glad you like it andsome.

[andsome]

I am glad that I changed over to it. I had some of you going though didn't I with my negative comments, even though I pre ordered it the first day it was available. :D

:0

Glad you like it andsome.

As I get to grips with it I like it more and more. Gustav Mahler is fine on here. To prove it look here. :D :D :D :D :D :D

[D4\/!d]

In the main I quite like it, it has many pluses, but the odd minus.

Resounding YES (64bit version) :)

Yeah me too.

That sums up my experience: many pluses, the odd minus, a Resounding YES (64bit version) :)

[Hb_Kai]

You've all become possessed by the Windows 7

[andsome]

You've all become possessed by the Windows 7

Because it's so good. :D

[-pops-]

You've all become possessed by the Windows 7

Not possessed, just answering the question raised by the title and subject of this thread.

[artist]

Only the 64bit version has been mentioned - is the 32bit just as good? I imagine that's what I'll be having....

[-pops-]

artist, yes!

[artist]

That's ok then.

[AlanHo]

I have the 64 bit version - my wife has 32 bit. Frankly I am not able to detect any difference in normal use.

[andsome]

I use 32 bit. :D

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I think it is still a long way until the "normal user" will need 64bit. Also there are still many applications that are only available in 32bit. If you want/need Flash Player for example, there is only a 32bit version, and it can only run on a 32bit browser.

So, if you do not professionally need 64bit, stay with 32bit!

P.S. remember, some 10 years ago we were all still on 16bit (Windows 9x).

[mrclub]

i will say a 'NO'...there is this report that 80% of the viruses love Windows 7

[rong]

i will say a 'NO'...there is this report that 80% of the viruses love Windows 7

A link to the report would be nice

[Hb_Kai]

I don't see how in such early stages of an operating systems launch.

[dc2000]

I think it is still a long way until the "normal user" will need 64bit. Also there are still many applications that are only available in 32bit. If you want/need Flash Player for example, there is only a 32bit version, and it can only run on a 32bit browser.

So, if you do not professionally need 64bit, stay with 32bit!

I was browsing through this forum and I cannot pass without commenting on this statement.

First off, I have two Dell laptops running Windows 7 Home Premium x64 on 64-bit Intel chips and none of them have problems with the Flash player on 64-bit browsers. This was an issue some time ago which has now been fixed.

Secondly, I'd definitely pick the 64-bit system over 32-bit. This is like buying an older gas guzzling truck pushing a 7 mpg over newer models. The industry is changing so fast so that you won't notice how quickly almost all machines will run on 64-bit chips. Now, for instance there is a stable version of Adobe Photoshop (64-bit), and I believe there'll be more and more 64-bit apps coming up.

Speaking of Windows 7, as much I hate to admit it (I always bashed Vista and couldn't stand it), Windows 7 is way better than Vista. Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:

1. It is much faster. No questions about it.

2. It uses less CPU cycles, thus makes your laptop battery last longer.

3. Its UAC is not as annoying as it is in Vista (for those who don't know, the UAC is that annoying dimmed window in Vista asking you whether you can continue or not. It is present in Win 7 but it doesn't pop up as often. So Microsoft learned their lesson here.)

4. A new task bar has many good things associated with it. I adapted to use it relatively quickly and painlessly.

5. Windows 7 has really nice visual themes for your desktop that have lots of added features, like alternating wallpapers, window smoothing, nice sounds, etc.

6. The Start menu has some nice added programs, like improved Paint and WordPad, as well Video editing software, improved sound recording from the mic, etc.

7. Really easy way to set up networks (both wireless and ethernet)

8. Much faster start-up and shut-down times (both from hibernation, which was very slow under Vista, and from rebooting)

9. Improved widgets, that are now called "gadgets" :) that can be placed on any spot on the desktop and don't have to be docked to a desktop side like in Vista.

10. Very nice way to pin icons to the taskbar or to a start menu.

11. Improved Windows Media Player that seems to have lost all of its previously unnecessary buttons, that is now just a window with the basic play-back controls. It also seems to open many more video and sound files than before (although a free K-Lite codec pack may still be required)

Cons:

1. Microsoft's penchant to change the Control panel settings -- at times it may be annoying to relearn things while setting up Windows 7 (extended network, sounds, etc.) They did this once in Vista and now kept on doing the same in Windows 7 (although not as much as when migrating from XP to vista)

2. Microsoft's greed still didn't let them release only one version of Windows 7, instead they kept all those classifications from Home Basic to Ultimate. In other words, if you need to really benefit from all the added features like HDD encryption, virtual XP, etc. you'll need to shell out an additional $150. Which is not good!!!

3. The same complaint as I had for Vista -- those people who got used to the XP's toolbar in the Windows Explorer have to forget about it and use the right-mouse click context menus for a previously useful short-cut buttons on the toolbar like Copy, Cut and Paste. Also completely gone is the "Up" command, that was replaced with the "Back" and "Forward" buttons that are not exactly the same. That is still bothering me after using Windows 7 for almost a month.

4. Lack of the Windows Explorer and of the new task bar detailed customization.

5. Lack of multilingual support for any version other than Enterprise and Ultimate.