View Full Version : Windows 7
So, apparently the coding is done, the thing is baked to a perfect golden yummy crusty taste, and now all that's left is SKUs, marketing and packaging (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/24/open_source_windows/). The release candidate will be available for download tothe public soonish.
So what do Orgahs think? Will Windows 7 deliver in a way that Vista did not? Will Windows 7 become the new XP Pro? I'd especially like to hear from anyone who has gotten hands-on with any of the demos ...
edyzmedieval
04-27-2009, 08:25
I will wait for the first Service Pack, most probably.
Although if reviews are favorable, I will buy it earlier. Vista for me wasn't a disaster, it was fairly good, but it's not really my favourite operating package.
Flavius Etius
04-27-2009, 15:30
I have the beta of Windows 7 and in my opinion it's very good. The design is nearly the same as at Vista, but its much easier to change any settings, etc. than by Vista. Also hardware as a printer or a microphone are working without searching a driver for them and even many PC games, which didn't work on Vista work on Windows 7 again!
EDIT: Btw I think that the client will be released on May the 5th!
Can you get a demo of it? Do I need to throw down my HD in order to install it?
You can get the beta of Wndows 7, or used to. There are still ways to get it though.
I have to admit, I tried Windows 7 32-bit Ultimate on a laptop that was presumingly "home basic vista" and it works absolutely great. It makes my Windows Vista look tired in comparison and with Windows 7 getting lots of feedback and support early on, where Vista lacked this big time, it should be a smooth ride.
MS are 90% hype and marketing. They're just fixing Vista (Longhorn) and releasing it with some, but not all, of the features it should have had in the first place and some fancy new themes (which look like OSX rip offs). Die hard Windows users get ripped off again and again, and still come back for more. People will pay out once again for what should be a Vista service pack.
Vista was also supposed to be a new OS "built from the ground up" or that's what the fanboys would have you believe anyway. It turned out to be more of the same, just another step in the twisted evolution from Windows NT.
It's interesting that Blackcomb which is supposed to be the next next generation Windows release was renamed to "Vienna" and then to "Windows 7". This is very typical of past trends - Longhorn also started as an offshoot from Blackcomb. It is evident that as with Vista, Windows users are still not getting the Blackcomb that has been in development since 2000, but once again another stopgap OS, with some cosmetic rework to keep the money rolling in until Blackcomb is ready (if it ever will be finished).
The renaming has been pure marketing as ever. I suspect Blackcomb has not actually been renamed, but instead put on the back burner once again. This is because Vista was a flop and MS now have no choice but to release something (anything) to fill the void ASAP. The rename to "Vienna" was supposedly to keep it in line with Vista, there is an MS statement on this (google). Due to Vista's bad press, MS obviously decided to ditch the "V" naming and take a different approach. This is why the latest stopgap release will be known as "Windows 7".
Even though "Windows 7" might be a fixed version of Vista, it does work better, which is definitely a good thing.
Problems with computers is that Mac's is that they are all copy&pasta between them. Only reason they have their reported stability is because there are no differences between the machines. They also charge you $1500 for a $500 machine just because of the Mac sticker on it.
The other other choice after that is Linux. The problem with Linux is that you need a PhD in computer programming to get it working right. Since there is no support program in forms of aftersales or similar and since it is plagued with programme and driver incompatibilities, it is not really a viable option to use.
All this, then again, leaves Windows as the viable choice.
Beskar, I can safely say that I understood over 60% of that post. Do I get a prize?
Even if, as some in this thread are saying, Windows 7 is just a "fixed" version of Vista, isn't that cause to celebrate? I love my XP as much as the next guy, but I'm ready to move on. I'd like to have a 64-bit OS that can recognize 4+ gigs of RAM without weirdness. I'd like to have an up-to-date OS that actually games well.
There are any number of angles for criticizing Microsoft, and lord knows we explore them from time to time, but this doesn't feel like the kind of thing that calls for bitterness. They messed up with Vista, they know it, and they're trying to make it right. Ain't that something to be happy about?
The other other choice after that is Linux. The problem with Linux is that you need a PhD in computer programming to get it working right. Since there is no support program in forms of aftersales or similar and since it is plagued with programme and driver incompatibilities, it is not really a viable option to use.
Wrong... Linux is not plagued by "programme and driver incompatibilities". A basic program consists of binaries, libs and config files built to run on a particular architecture and OS. It will either be compatible or it won't be. If it's incompatible then it's not built for that OS/architecture. The same goes for drivers, unless you're referring to proprietary drivers. These have always been an issue, because they're only as good as the hw manufacturer make them. They're also not open source so the community cannot fix problems with them as they can with all other OSS.
You're also wrong about aftersales support. If you want to actually buy a stable LTS distribution on discs, then you can purchase a support option for quite a few distributions. The GNU/GPL licence means that though software cannot be sold, the discs, manuals and support packages can. For all other non enterprise, free distributions there are support forums, which are usually very good.
I can only think that your opinion of Linux comes from limited experience with unstable and improperly marketed distros such as the Ubuntu family and it's spin offs, bleeding edge distros such as fedora or from user unfriendly (but rock solid) ones such as Slackware? Slackware does not even ship with a desktop manager, so it's out of the question for the beginner. Ubuntu (despite marketing) is bleeding edge and uses a lot of beta and alpha software in their releases. It is basically Debian unstable with lots of features and extras including compiz fusion added. It tends to draw in new users who then tend to come unstuck and fall flat.
For newcomers there are distros such as Debian "Lenny", Arch, OpenSuse, Mandriva etc which all have good stable releases.
For something stable and supported then you can put your hand in your pocket and go for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop.
:bow:
Banquo's Ghost
04-29-2009, 16:41
I'm still trying to work out why Macs are all "copy and pasta". Some kind of subtle hint at we fanbois' elitist metrosexual reputation? :bounce:
I'm still trying to work out why Macs are all "copy and pasta". Some kind of subtle hint at we fanbois' elitist metrosexual reputation? :bounce:
They are all the same specification, hence, Mac's are all copy and paste. "copy&pasta" is a internet slang for all those copy and paste emails/forum posts you see.
My old laptop just died, and the wife insisted on a MacBook. Can't say I blame her; the unibody aluminum should give it a modest degree of childproofing, and the new trackpad is pretty darn slick. I'm not fond of how Apple does business, and I think the closed OS/hardware loop has always been a mistake, but dang—they know how to make a good laptop. No denying it.
If you're interested in Windows 7, the public beta will begin on May 5, and the license will be good for over a year. That's a pretty good deal, especially if you keep your XP install on a separate partition just in case.
Some details (http://www.mndaily.com/blogs/tech-corner/2009/04/30/microsoft-give-away-free-windows-7-year).
On May 5th, general users will have access to an entire year of Microsoft's brand new operating system, Windows 7, for free! It is already available to download for MSDN and TechNet subscribers. This version is only the Release Candidate and will expire June 1, 2010. The Release Candidate is merely the near finished product and is basically the final stage in testing. It's supposed to have all the features of the final version. We don't know when the final version will be released but rumors say it'll be either late 2009 or early 2010.
A beta version of Windows 7 was released some time ago, and from using it for a short time, I can gather that it was much faster and more friendly than Windows Vista. Indeed for those of you who hated Vista, Windows 7 is Vista done right. Windows 7 boasts a lot of new features including a new taskbar, libraries, jump lists, etc. Windows 7 will also come packaged with the newest Internet Explorer (IE8).
The biggest improvement with Windows 7 is the performance. It will no longer take 5-10 minutes to boot up your machine. Windows 7 now has a much faster startup time, beating out both Vista and XP. We will also see a new feature called Windows XP mode which lets you run native XP programs on your machine.
People are saying good things about this Windows. Microsoft hopes it will make up for all the bad things about its previous version. I've heard news about IT developers leap-frogging Vista and going straight to 7 in their companies.
-edit-
P.S.: Here's a detailed review (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/01/windows_7_xp_mode_review/) of Windows 7's XP compatibility mode.
It's nothing new either though, they already released a free beta and free releasde candidate for Vista and they were also good for like 6 or 12 months IIRC.
I also had some beta of WinXP once that was good for 6 months and when it wouldn't automatically activate once long after XP had already been released, the lady on the phone gave me an activation number anyway. ~D
Here it is. (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx)
Tellos Athenaios
05-06-2009, 05:01
Some pretty heafty system requirements right there: 1GHz processor with 1GB RAM means what exactly to one-legged-hamster-powered netbooks? :grin:
Ah well, I think I'll opt for a taste of Leonidas' finest instead (http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-prerelease).
Mouzafphaerre
05-07-2009, 14:22
.
Telle! Long time no hear from the Occultus. ~D
.
Pricing announced (http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/06/windows-7-pricing-announced-cheaper-than-vista.ars). Comparable to Vista, across the board.
Of course if your place of business has a "dual use" license, the cost is zero. That's always nice.
I have to admit, I hate the upgrade editions. As you have to have the previous installed to install the newer, but I like to reformat my computer, etc, if I am swapping the Operating System, thus, you are unable to do that.
Furunculus
06-26-2009, 10:44
i don't like windows, but i am a gamer so its a necessity, and all signs point to 7 actually being pretty good, much like XP Pro.
i supported the DX10 only move from Vista as a way of killing a decade of cruft, and i think we as gamers will reap the benefits via the DX10 superset more commonly known as DX11.
Ah well, I think I'll opt for a taste of Leonidas' finest instead (http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-prerelease).
I gave it a whirl a few days ago and I have to say I'm still not impressed with Fedora. Maybe I just miss the whole point of bloated and unstable alpha and beta software...? Personally I prefer Debian stable to anything else. There is a lot to be said for a distro that doesn't crap itself and break at the next kernel update...
Tellos Athenaios
06-27-2009, 10:18
Rawhide isn't for those who want a production system. Altough so far the Ubuntu and Kubuntu alphas have been good with me, and they are Debian Sid + some more [beta KDE 4.3, definitely worth it and Debian testing is still on 4.2.4 which is over 3 months old! :grin:]. I tried Leonidas in Alpha too. On the upshot: palimpsest, plymouth and Anaconda (which combines the simplicity of the Ubuntu installer with similar flexibility as the Debian version when it comes to partitioning; and much more flexibility when it comes to selecting which apps to install). On the downside: packagekit's GNOME interface isn't really up to the task; and using yum from the command line is not a very pleasant experience either: for starters the package names are looooooong.
Running alpha software does have a major advantage w.r.t. the graphics drivers though. Doubt that Debian stable has KMS for intel cards or compositing support for ATI HD4870 in the ati driver yet.
look, and that's probably why most people ignore Linux, there are more versions than a normal person can remember and you have to try them all to find the one that suits you best, then tweak it for weeks, learn tons of written code to do that, then....
Or maybe that's just why I will prefer to use Win 7. :shrug:
I know that Ubuntu hates my computer (doesn't even load), I had to use Knoppix which looks rubbish and styled like Windows 95.
Running alpha software does have a major advantage w.r.t. the graphics drivers though. Doubt that Debian stable has KMS for intel cards or compositing support for ATI HD4870 in the ati driver yet.
I suppose it depends on what you want out of an OS and what you want to do with it. Personally I like Linux a lot but I want something that works and doesn't require me to dedicate days tinkering around. I've been through most major distros since 2002 when I started with Mandrake. Out of all of these I've dound Debian to be the most reliable and stable but even that has issues - yes it's out of date once it's stable, but what the hell Windows XP is out of date. The fglrx driver is a pain in the arse. I spent about 3 hours last night trying to get it running on Debian testing and failed. It's just not worth the hassle. Today I went and clean installed stable as that has always worked ok. The result was another disaster. Despite it fetching gnome from the repos during install, it wasn't installed and I've no idea why. Anyway the disc hit the wall and now I've reinstalled Windows XP. The result is that everything works. No more problems with wireless, no more glitches, crashes and general flakiness. I just don't have the time or patience to dedicate to Linux anymore - I must be getting old. I'm glad to hear it works for you though Tellos, stick with it.
:bow:
Some pretty heafty system requirements right there: 1GHz processor with 1GB RAM means what exactly to one-legged-hamster-powered netbooks? :grin:
Ah well, I think I'll opt for a taste of Leonidas' finest instead (http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-prerelease).
In actual fact, win 7 works surprisingly well on one-legged-hamster-powered netbooks, and I do mean surprisingly, I wasnt expecting it to install at all on mine (was expecting to run out of disk space) but it did, and it runs really well. Even without a page file.
Sixty percent of businesses plan to skip Windows 7 (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2350082,00.asp). Are they the same firms that took a pass on Vista? And what will gamers do, 'cause let's face it, we're the only ones who matter.
ScriptLogic Corp, which provides help to companies in managing their Microsoft Windows-based networks, sent out 20,000 surveys to information technology administrators to learn the state of the market.
Many companies have rejected Windows Vista as unstable. For example, the chip maker Intel Corp, Microsoft's long- time partner in producing personal computers, has stayed with the older XP system.
The survey found about 60 percent of those surveyed have no plans to deploy Windows 7, 34 percent will deploy it by the end of 2010 and only 5.4 percent will deploy by year's end.
I would imagine that some of that 60% have already moved (or are in the painful process of moving) to Vista. Other factors may be the economy (why blow capital dollars on upgrading if stuff still works today and the future is uncertain), or the switch to open alternatives such as Linux or Solaris.
As for PC gamers, we don't actually matter any more. Microsoft essentially killed off that market niche with the XBox and the overall push towards console gaming.
As for PC gamers, we don't actually matter any more.
The heck you say! I'm special!
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Lemurmania/ScrewYouImSpecial.jpg
Furunculus
07-15-2009, 15:52
ordered my copy of home premium for £49.99 from play.com today.
They won't be able to not get Windows 7. It will be a case of Vista or Windows 7 and Win7 is far superior.
They are stopping support for XP.
They are stopping support for XP.
As they've said many times before. Ceasing "support" does not usually stop people using the OS for a few years afterwards anyway.
My point: There is no compulsion, requirement or obligation to upgrade any OS. It's up to the individual.
:bow:
pevergreen
07-16-2009, 03:29
As they've said many times before. Ceasing "support" does not usually stop people using the OS for a few years afterwards anyway.
My point: There is no compulsion, requirement or obligation to upgrade any OS. It's up to the individual.
:bow:
Very true. I went to a doctors surgery to do some work on the phone system, and they were running NT 4.0
Furunculus
07-16-2009, 17:11
It's a good year for operating systems all around:
Windows 7 - finally a decent gaming platform
Opensuse 11.2 - KDE 4.3.1, kernel 2.6.31 (hopefully) and X.org 7.5 (hopefully)
OSX: Snow leopard - for macophiles.
I will certainly buy a copy of Opensuse 11.2 in addition to Windows 7, and a Nehalem based 13" mac with an OpenCL capable GPU may result in me buying a system with Snow leopard installed on it too!
Why does Microsoft hate the U.S.A. and love the British (http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49303374,00.htm)?
In the UK, full versions of Windows 7 Home Premium -- not an upgrade edition -- are going to cost around £65. That's less than the price the Yanks have to pay just for an upgrade version -- $120 (£72) -- and half what they'll have to cough up for a full version -- $200 (£122).
pevergreen
08-19-2009, 03:38
Can I order my copy from England? :yes:
Captain Obvious strikes again...
I mean games, BluRays and DVDs have been cheaper in the UK for a while now, at least compared to Germany, when I buy hardware I pay dollar prices except with a Euro sign slapped on and now you have to pay a bit more for a single piece of software in the USA and it's a national emergency... :furious3: :sweatdrop:
The contrary view: 7 Reasons to Avoid Windows 7 (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/7-reasons-to-avoid-windows-7/). No mention of Ubuntu, strangely.
r, but from my own perspective as a long-time Mac user, I will say I already prefer the current Mac OS X Leopard to Windows 7
:bow: Case in point?
Yeah, Beskar, I noticed that too. Doesn't do much for his geek cred. And how can you write an entire article about alternatives to Win7 without mentioning the 800-pound penguin in the room?
There are a couple of points, but end of the day, I can turn around and say "Hey, can Mac play games?" and he just breaks down crying, then he wipe his tears away and go "That's why I got bootcamp, so I can go on Windows!".
(I own a Mac, so I am allowed to make fun of it.)
However, that 800-pound Penguin is as welcome as finding one in your room. Unless it is a server or a very low-key computer used literally only for Firefox and Open-office, then it is fine (if the hardware is supported at all) but for any real personal-usage machines, it is horrible. Ubuntu can't even load on my machine and Knoppix looks and acts just like Windows 95.
However, that 800-pound Penguin is as welcome as finding one in your room. Unless it is a server or a very low-key computer used literally only for Firefox and Open-office, then it is fine (if the hardware is supported at all) but for any real personal-usage machines, it is horrible. Ubuntu can't even load on my machine and Knoppix looks and acts just like Windows 95.
I must be some kind of 'super geek' then because I can get every currenty major Linux distro working perfectly on my machine - and any other machine I've tried to install it on for that matter.
You give two examples of distros out of quite literally hundreds. Knoppix is meant to be a lightweight bootable livecd distro - it's not a general use desktop distro. Ubuntu is marketed as a desktop distro suitable for beginners - I've never yet encountered a PC that I couldn't get it running on. The main issue is laptops but they're always a pain when it comes to OS reinstalls anyway. I'm not a great fan of Ubuntu due to how they operate and how the OS is marketed and developed - but in general Ubuntu is easier to install than Windows.
You should give Mandriva or Opensuse a try.
I must be some kind of 'super geek' then
I've thought that for a long time actually. :shrug:
I am guessing Ubuntu doesn't have the drivers to run my machine, hence why it just screwed up and wouldn't even get to the boot screen.
I was only using the LIve CD's granted, as they are a free alternative for backing up a failed hard drive. The hard drive's OS got trashed and the only way to get the computer working was a re-format. However, I had many important files on the computer which needed retrieving, hence why I used the Live CD's.
I used Linux ages ago, but it is really mostly all talk. Only things I really use the computer for is Microsoft Office (as my work, and study use that suite), playing PC games, then just playing DVD/CD etc. Over all, pretty simply tasks.
Neither Linux or Mac can do that, without basically writing your own OS and with Linux, majority of the time, it is that ugly, you think "Just install Windows :shrug: It works"
Tellos Athenaios
08-24-2009, 00:09
Ubuntu has all drivers Debian has (but the proprietary ones are easier to install under Ubuntu than they are under Debian). Drivers are only an issue if the manufacturer of your hardware does not supply Linux drivers and no open source drivers have yet been written.
The thing is that if you burn a LiveCD it is not guaranteed to work because LiveCD's are particularly prone to data-corruption. You must *always* check the CD for defects (any LiveCD should come with an integrity checker boot option): that your burned ISO reads the same as the originally downloaded ISO file is no guarantee for data integrity because the downloaded ISO itself may well be corrupted. (When downloading LiveCD's it's best to use something like wget rather than a browser.)
The live-cd worked on my laptop (Ubuntu one) as I had a play around with it on that. However, my laptop was a cookie-cut general use model which has been out for a few years, compared to my desktop which was custom build.
Furunculus
08-24-2009, 10:27
The contrary view: 7 Reasons to Avoid Windows 7 (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/7-reasons-to-avoid-windows-7/). No mention of Ubuntu, strangely.
all true, and all irrelevant if you are a committed gamer.
been using (open)suse since version 9.1 way back in 2002'ish.
al Roumi
09-08-2009, 12:35
The contrary view: 7 Reasons to Avoid Windows 7 (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/7-reasons-to-avoid-windows-7/). No mention of Ubuntu, strangely.
all true, and all irrelevant if you are a committed gamer.
I agree with Furunculus, the whole article is irrelevant nonsense. It's almost oblivious to the fact that many people will be considering an upgrade, not an entirely new machine & OS.
Conclusion
Do the cons outweigh the pros? That probably depends on how committed you already are to Windows.
-If you’re currently using Windows Vista, the upgrade to Windows 7 is a no-brainer.
-Most of those currently using Windows XP should also upgrade, to take advantage of Windows 7’s usability, enhanced device support, and other features.
But if you’re currently using a Linux distribution or a version of Mac OS X, Windows 7 isn’t going to offer much to get you to switch.
ha! i almost wrote something saying I wish "people on the internet" would grow up and face reality... :laugh4:
I ordered my copy of Win7 Home premium last week -i'm particularily glad you don't have to pay more for 32 and 64 bit installs.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10350191-71.html
:laugh4:
They also did this one. I laughed because it is true:
http://news.cnet.com/microsoft-goes-after-mac-on-price-in-new-ad/?tag=mncol;txt
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10350191-71.html
:laugh4:
I'm surprised lolcats didn't make an appearance.
I'm surprised lolcats didn't make an appearance.
Needs moar My Pretty Pony references.
Well, I'm downloading it now. :laugh4: :sweatdrop:
Oh, so the public beta is still open? I thought it had closed or something.
No, I downloaded the original, still got the RC on this notebook and I'm going to install the full version on my gaming PC sometime next month or so I think, not sure yet what to do with the notebook once the RC expires, IIRC the last versions from MSDNAA could be used on several computers.
Who wants to PAAAAAR-TAY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cX4t5-YpHQ)?
"In a lot of ways you're just throwing a party with Windows 7 as an honored guest!"
Of course, the censored version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyas7BrbUFY) is much funnier.
I already got an email from MS about how to throw a launch party.
I'm sure it'll be a hit. :laugh4:
Apparently some programs have problems with Win7 - perhaps this is the programs fault?
Also, I bought a comp with Vista a year ago (because Vista was the newst MS OS out there - hooray!) and now I'm sad that I will have to spend $350 on a new OS to stay up-to-date... so why is Win7 worth $350 of my valuable money?(that could be spent on a laptop!)?:inquisitive::juggle2:
It doesn't cost that much.. at least over here at least.
Checked Amazon, and it is $100.
That reminds me, there are meant to be free keys (haven't a clue how legitimate this is) at www.getwindows.info , however, not being in America, I can't access the site.
Upgrading from Vista to 7 is not that much of a necessity unless you really want to stay up-to-date(in which case you should expect having to spend money) or want DX 11(no idea whether this will come for Vista as well) but for DX 11 you also need a new graphics card. If your Vista runs fine, then it does. I wanted to update mine but was a bit hesitant due to laziness and then thought the only real reason I had was to get rid of that 3rd party wallpaper changer that doesn't save my settings so I suspended the upgrade for a while. The notebook can run on the RC until next year anyway. :juggle2:
I'm sure I'll do it some day though as I already got it lying around.
I'm not aware of a single DX 11 game out yet anyway, the step from XP to 7 is more interesting IMO.
It doesn't cost that much.. at least over here at least.
Checked Amazon, and it is $100.
That reminds me, there are meant to be free keys (haven't a clue how legitimate this is) at getwindows.info , however, not being in America, I can't access the site.
Link? This might be for the people who have qualified for the free upgrade...
Tellos Athenaios
10-01-2009, 06:46
Upgrading from Vista to 7 is not that much of a necessity unless you really want to stay up-to-date(in which case you should expect having to spend money) or want DX 11(no idea whether this will come for Vista as well) but for DX 11 you also need a new graphics card. If your Vista runs fine, then it does. I wanted to update mine but was a bit hesitant due to laziness and then thought the only real reason I had was to get rid of that 3rd party wallpaper changer that doesn't save my settings so I suspended the upgrade for a while. The notebook can run on the RC until next year anyway. :juggle2:
I'm sure I'll do it some day though as I already got it lying around.
I'm not aware of a single DX 11 game out yet anyway, the step from XP to 7 is more interesting IMO.
Upgrading from Vista to 7 is not particularly worth it IMO. DX 11 is supposedly to be backported to Vista anyways (it's DX on top of the Vista driver architecture, so yeah: how hard can it be?), and as we all know: MS OS'es aren't worth bothering with (as in: going out to purchase the discs, purchasing hardware that force-feeds you the OS is another matter) till the first few service packs have arrived. Which isn't anytime particularly soon.
Party party paaaaar-tay (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/09/the-microsoft-windows-7-party-pack-in-pictures/)!
A free copy of ultimate?
Why didn't you link sooner, Lemur. :sad:
Apparently I can order a copy of W7 for free, only shipping applies, should I get it? Im going to get W7 Home Premium, whateva that means.
Aemilius Paulus
10-16-2009, 02:05
Of course you should. It is either it or Vista, and I would go with Windows 7. :yes:
Apparently I can order a copy of W7 for free, only shipping applies, should I get it? Im going to get W7 Home Premium, whateva that means.
Yes, get it. It is far superior to XP/Vista
Apparently I can order a copy of W7 for free, only shipping applies, should I get it? Im going to get W7 Home Premium, whateva that means.
If it's a legitimate copy, then yes, of course.
If it's a legitimate copy, then yes, of course.
Of course it is, it is because I bought an Acer in the time the promottion applies. I think they will make it available in 15 days, more or less.
A buddy of mine who runs a computer shop offered me Windows 7 Ultimate (I guess Msoft is throwing around promo copies) and I accepted. Typing on it right now, not bad, not bad. Went 64-bit, since that's where the cool kids are.
Not bad, not bad at all. Big improvement over Vista.
Yeah looking good. I confused my macbook with my couch and now it's broken, I need a new one. Might just get a Windows 7 machine.
Looks like rural Wisconsin isn't the only place where Windows 7 is showing up early. (http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49303983,00.htm)
al Roumi
10-20-2009, 15:39
Looks like rural Wisconsin isn't the only place where Windows 7 is showing up early. (http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49303983,00.htm)
Damnit, why did I choose super-saver delivery! At the time I thought I'd not be bothered about getting it sooner or later but (rightly or wrongly) I'm now almost excited about trying the new OS! (for info, I've been on XP since it came out)
Good thing about Windows 7 if you got a widescreen monitor like myself, is that it looks decent when you set the toolbar to the side.
Good thing about Windows 7 if you got a widescreen monitor like myself, is that it looks decent when you set the toolbar to the side.
Heh, I have it on the side on my laptop, and yes, it looks good, mostly because the program icons have no text per default, just nice icons. Another thing I like is that you can stick them there as shortcuts. :2thumbsup:
al Roumi
10-22-2009, 14:46
Mine just arrived! Had it delivered to work. I'm considering this a minor miracle with the current postal strike we have here.
I'll perform the upgrade over the weekend. Going to have to do a bit of a spring clean of my HD first though, i'm sure some files have almost fossilized on it :)
Went through the change-over and compatability help, no compatabilit issues. I'm quite surprised at how it appears someone actually thought about what people would have to do to transfer to Win7 -something completely new from MS!
Furunculus
10-22-2009, 15:30
mine turned up today too.
going to wait till asus release a driver for my Xonar sound card before i install first though....
seireikhaan
10-22-2009, 17:15
I ordered at the student discount ("http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/software/windows-7.aspx) price. Download went well. However, its being entirely uncooperative with me for the installation- it begins unpacking, and then at the end, tells me some issue about write protection and quits. :inquisitive: I'm probably going to just wait for the actual disk comes in the mail. :juggle2: Gonna be pretty irritated if this doesn't work.
Good find Khaan, I was able to do a search for UK students and a result came up.
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/studentoffer/
Now to get my legitimate copy opposed to my beta/RC.
Heh, I have it on the side on my laptop, and yes, it looks good, mostly because the program icons have no text per default, just nice icons. Another thing I like is that you can stick them there as shortcuts. :2thumbsup:
Yes, exactly. I was annoyed about how screens kept getting wider, but the windows keep getting thinner and with the task bar there, it was annoying. Then I thought "Why not stick it onto the side?" At first, the thought was sort of alien, but I set it to the side and a day or so later, I do not want to swap it back at all.
Twenty-seven takes (http://gizmodo.com/5387822/27-takes-on-windows-7) on Windows 7.
-edit-
Also, a must-see video (http://vimeo.com/7205669). This is kinda how I imagined all Windows 7 Launch Parties would go.
seireikhaan
10-25-2009, 22:31
So it turns out I wasn't the only (http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/10/24/windows-7-student-upgrade-hell/) one who had issues with the student discount download. :shifty:
Thinking that I'm going to ask for a refund on the download, although I'm still awaiting the actual disk to come in the mail.
Alexander the Pretty Good
10-26-2009, 03:37
Kahn, which flavor of 7 do you (maybe!) get at the student price? Their byzantine website layout offers no illumination.
seireikhaan
10-26-2009, 04:45
Kahn, which flavor of 7 do you (maybe!) get at the student price? Their byzantine website layout offers no illumination.
Well, I got home premium, 64 bit. I was intending to do a clean install. However, the downloaded version doesn't like you doing that, apparently. So, I am going to do a clean install when the actual disk comes.(two to three weeks! :inquisitive:). I believe the only one you can get is home premium. I could be wrong, however. As you correctly noted, the site is a bit labyrinth-y.
Mailman653
10-26-2009, 05:08
I wanted to upgrade but I think I'll just hold off till I get a new PC whenever that will be.
al Roumi
10-26-2009, 19:06
Well I got my version last Thursday and a few new hardware bits over the weekend. I upgraded from XP pro 32 bit to Win 7 Home premium 64bit, as well as adding an extra 2GB DDR2 RAM (total now 4GB).
It all runs very nicely, although I have to say the custom install wasn't as clear as I'd expected. I had previously been running windows on a partition of my main SATA HD, the other space used for file storage. The install recognised the seperate partitions but in installing Win7, merged them and I've lost all the files files on my data partition! Over 100GB of files!
Anyway, annoying but not so terrible.
I'm also not sure what the "Windows old" file is actually for, why would you need the whole Windows, Program files and Docs form the previous install saved? I don't think you can even roll-back the install... I guess I should have used the transfer program, in any case I am now sifting through the archived files, picking out the bits I need.
LeftEyeNine
10-26-2009, 19:16
They put up a price tag of 136 USD + KDV (=VAT which is +%18) for a Home Premium which will probably fail with networking at some point for sure and expect me/us to flock towards Microsoft Temple$ ?
This is just unfair. Nothing else. I sweat my bones to earn 800$ a month.
"You can't afford, you can't dare going illegal. Yet you're poor yes, we all know that. Shhht ! No-no-no-no, naaasty !"
Unfair. Living in a world of dumblings who do not give a :daisy: about where they are marketing their products...I have to shut up or I'll be penetrating all we have advocated so far.
:daisy:.
They put up a price tag of 136 USD + KDV (=VAT which is +%18) for a Home Premium.
$136 plus tax for Win7 Home Premium in Turkey? That's ridiculous. There must be discounted version. Heck, you can always get a OED version with a USB cable if it comes down to that.
Don't be fooled by the retail price. That can't hold. Not when Apple is giving away OS X 10.6 for $30 to anybody who asks, and students are snapping up Win7 for shipping. No, that can't hold.
Seduce a young wily student in the UK and ask her if you could use their university email account to get it, LeftEyeNine
Having been forced to work with Vista for a while, not buying it out of principle. Microsoft should understand that people buy a computer because they want to use it, not to pay to beta-test their latest OS. Thanks for the welcome, but looking at it for half an hour kinda outstays it's welcome. I want to be able to open a word document, is that too much to ask? You never know if your command was registered in the first place, should you be lucky enough that you actually opened something you never know when it will open 6 times which takes at least an hour before the system has recovered, and that is before you have written a single line. You never know when, and why, it starts chasing it's tail, it's completely random. I can not work with this it's completely worthless. buying a new Mac.
al Roumi
10-27-2009, 10:50
Having been forced to work with Vista for a while, not buying it out of principle. Microsoft should understand that people buy a computer because they want to use it, not to pay to beta-test their latest OS. Thanks for the welcome, but looking at it for half an hour kinda outstays it's welcome. I want to be able to open a word document, is that too much to ask? You never know if your command was registered in the first place, should you be lucky enough that you actually opened something you never know when it will open 6 times which takes at least an hour before the system has recovered, and that is before you have written a single line. You never know when, and why, it starts chasing it's tail, it's completely random. I can not work with this it's completely worthless. buying a new Mac.
Is that about Vista or Win7?
That sounds like you were running Vista on a 200MHz computer, Fragony, I've had no problems with Vista and Office 2007. :shrug:
That sounds like you were running Vista on a 200MHz computer, Fragony, I've had no problems with Vista and Office 2007. :shrug:
Running Crysis on medium. It does not matter how fast your computer is, Vista will eventually choke it, just a matter of time before it grows tired of chasing it's tail and needs a full reboot, I have no idea what it's thinking about, but it must be pretty complicated since it sometimes takes over half an hour before I can even open my browser, it usually takes more time because I have to make sure it actually does understand I want to open my browser, and you can never know if it's actually doing what you asked it to do or if it's completely lost in limbo. Turns out it did register your command, you end up with 5 crashed screens, Vista chokes, restart. restart. restart. FFS PLEASE RESTART. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Crash. restart restat restart FFS PLEASE RESTART IT ISN"T AS IF ASKED SO. MANY. TIMES. And yes I really want to do that. Yes I really want to do that. Did I already tell you I really want to do that? Yeah I still want to do it PLEASE DO IT. Needs a reboot. Now if you are keen on nursing your OS I guess it can be functional, but for someone on a schedule it isn't workable. That is just the internet, checking my e-mail. But I also need Office, 1 or 2 hours before I can open it, usually takes a few reboots because Vista is doing... something, and I can only hope my keyboard hasn't swapped. With my Macbook that is now BROKEN, start, pling, do, does. Why anyone but a gamer would rather drown in a bucket of mollases instead of paying more for something you can use is beyond me.
This is not Vista, this is Windows 7, it is a different kettle of fish and uses half the resources Vista uses.
This is not Vista, this is Windows 7, it is a different kettle of fish and uses half the resources Vista uses.
Be that as it may, what you are dealing with is pure hate. How they actually released such a thing such as Vista. XP wasn't even beyond beta status when they released it Vista. Now XP is really good, and it won't run certain programs because you are supposed to gob up their latest turd. A mac is expensive, and Apple is an truly annoying company with all their hardware-guru bull for people with odd glasses and purple pants, they deserve a neckshot. But it works and it's pretty so I forgive them.
Did you ever use Windows ME from Windows 98?
Microsoft uses the formulae of "Good, Bad, Good, Bad, Good".
Did you ever use Windows ME from Windows 98?
Microsoft uses the formulae of "Good, Bad, Good, Bad, Good".
That is when my personal relation with Microsoft became somewhat troublesome. I really liked windows 95. It has to be said that I still like Tosa. But he owes me bigtime.
But I have been converted I now pray to Steve Jobs. It is pure bliss to open your lappie, BONZAI yay have it working without even a hickup. Open document BAM it's there. 6 Hours later it's still there, it doesn't need it's own private powerplant because something, whatever it is but something, is frying it's skull.
Sure, though a Mac costs twice the price of the current two year old computer I am using, which is probably like three times more powerful, with options such as being able to upgrade/optional/parts etc.
Also, I can have compatible software and play games.
Pretty Win-Win.
Only time I would consider another OS is Linux. Not overpriced Mac plastic.
(Oh, I am an ex-Mac user as well, back before they switched to Intel)
Beskar, this is not an insurmountable obstacle (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=122816).
Personally, I'm in a very happy place. I'm liking Windows 7, I'm liking OS X 10.6, and I get to play with both.
al Roumi
10-27-2009, 14:59
yeah i don't get the Mac attraction. I like to build my own machine and have that level of control of what's in it. Mac's aren't for people who prefer hardware/software flexibility. People rail against being locked in to Windows, but that's more of a misnception than a reality -especially when compared with a Mac...
I liked XP and I'm happy with Win7 so far. Glad I didn't get anywhere near Vista too.
yeah i don't get the Mac attraction.
As a friend of mine who administrates a whole lot of Unix servers said to me, "You have no idea what it's like to get a Unix laptop that just works."
Look, I'm a computer slut—I like Windows, I like Linux, and I like OS X. I just plain dig computers and shiny gadgets. And I don't like it when Macheads bash Windows, or when Linux geeks bash everything that doesn't come with a GNU license, or when Win-heads bash Mac. Can't we all just get along?
Sure, though a Mac costs twice the price of the current two year old computer I am using
Yeah but it helps if it works, it's perfectly capable of running essential programs without crashing/even working at all, and it does not have to think, you open it, and it's just there. Absolutely amazing.
al Roumi
10-27-2009, 16:22
Can't we all just get along?
LOL it would be nice wouldn't it!
LeftEyeNine
10-27-2009, 16:41
$136 plus tax for Win7 Home Premium in Turkey? That's ridiculous. There must be discounted version. Heck, you can always get a OED version with a USB cable if it comes down to that.
Don't be fooled by the retail price. That can't hold. Not when Apple is giving away OS X 10.6 for $30 to anybody who asks, and students are snapping up Win7 for shipping. No, that can't hold.
It doesn't.
This is Turkey and we have to pay as much as you do. Windows Vista Home Premium Turkish (http://www.hepsiburada.com/microsoft-windows-vista-home-premium-32-bit-oem-turkce-dvd-66i-02841-/productDetails.aspx?categoryid=139&productid=by8333). ~115 USD + KDV.
We should stop using vaaaaaayyyyyreeeeeeez0rz.
Edit: Since I'd really like to keep Windows XP mode in hand, I'd like to have Windows 7 Professional (http://www.hepsiburada.com/microsoft-windows-7-professional-tr-dvd-fqc-00296/productDetails.aspx?categoryid=139&productid=by11501).
Stop using viiiiiriiiiiiiiz, ohkay ?
FYI, on my tight budget, I own original copies of Orange Box, FM '09, Sacred 2 and Fallout series from GOG.com.
KukriKhan
10-27-2009, 17:17
Did you ever use Windows ME from Windows 98?
Microsoft uses the formulae of "Good, Bad, Good, Bad, Good".
LOL. That's been how I've cycled through OS's too. The last OS I thought I understood was W95. I missed 98 & 98SE, got ME (worked fine) then Vista (working OK for me; I don't comprehend Fragony's issues; something very bad happening there).
I know it's early days, but does anyone hold the opinion (or read one) that upgrading to W7 is a "must have"? I'd like to squeeze another year and a half out of this Vista rig I'm currently running. Can I/ should I wait that long (summer 2011)?
If it can run Vista it can run Win7, and 90% of the drivers will work without any alteration. (And because of the driver compatibility, most hardware makers are releasing Win7 drivers as fast as they can connect to FTP).
Win7 really is Vista Mark Two. It's lighter, leaner, less intrusive and more stable. I can't think of any reason not to upgrade, although I couldn't say if that makes it "must-have." Eye of the beholder and all of that.
If you are a student, get the $30 student deal. That's all there is really.
If you have to pay the $200 whatever, yeah, I would wait as well.
If you are a student, get the $30 student deal.
Or if you know a student. Or if you know anyone with a valid .edu email address (most Universities will provide you with one if you're an alum). Or if you know anyone who builds PCs and receives promotional versions and owes you a favor. Or if your workplace has a dual-license scheme and is upgrading.
There are many, many ways to get a valid copy without paying full retail.
Alexander the Pretty Good
10-30-2009, 03:05
You can get professional as a student for $30. Basically go through the process for the home premium and look for a link that says "Does your university use Domains? Get Professional for $30!" or something like that.
Just ordered mine.
Question (might make a new thread for it if you guys aren't certain) but do you know the best way to install 7 onto a dual-boot computer that has Ubuntu and XP? I'm using GRUB and don't know how 7 deals with it and vice versa.
al Roumi
10-30-2009, 12:08
You can get professional as a student for $30. Basically go through the process for the home premium and look for a link that says "Does your university use Domains? Get Professional for $30!" or something like that.
Just ordered mine.
Question (might make a new thread for it if you guys aren't certain) but do you know the best way to install 7 onto a dual-boot computer that has Ubuntu and XP? I'm using GRUB and don't know how 7 deals with it and vice versa.
I don't know, but i'd say you are right to be careful -my data partition vanished when i did a custom instal on my XP partition... I'm not sure why either, although you do get the option to partition drives at one stage -not sure how the installer recognises existing partitions though.
LOL. That's been how I've cycled through OS's too. The last OS I thought I understood was W95. I missed 98 & 98SE, got ME (worked fine) then Vista (working OK for me; I don't comprehend Fragony's issues; something very bad happening there).
I know it's early days, but does anyone hold the opinion (or read one) that upgrading to W7 is a "must have"? I'd like to squeeze another year and a half out of this Vista rig I'm currently running. Can I/ should I wait that long (summer 2011)?
Nerds took my lunchbag it has been ball ever since. that and I am a metroman, teehee ;p
pevergreen
11-05-2009, 05:00
"Harvey Norman launches Windows 7 sales"
Retail boss, Gerry Harvey, has personally sold the world's first retail copy of Windows 7. At midnight on June 21, Spiro Giokaris made the purchase in Sydney and became the world's first retail customer, shook hands with Harvey and smiled for the cameras.
Taken from ARN, Oct. 28 2009
The guy buying it looks like a dude with no job. Unshaven, long hair etc.
TevashSzat
11-05-2009, 05:20
On a somewhat divergent note, Microsoft was giving us $10 gift cards at UPenn if we basically stopped and listened to a quick Windows 7 sales pitch.
The sales pitch was expected but I didn't really pay too much attention to it since I really only wanted the gift card. Only after I got the card did I realize that it was for the For Your Entertainment online store.....which is a bummer to say the least....
Only after I got the card did I realize that it was for the For Your Entertainment online store.....which is a bummer to say the least....
Harsh, dude, harsh.
In why-would-you-have-thought-different news, looks like you still need to run anti-virus software (http://www.sophos.com/blogs/chetw/g/2009/11/03/windows-7-vulnerable-8-10-viruses/) on that shiny Windows 7 box.
Yeah, if you want backwards compatiability, that is the price you pay.
Furunculus
11-05-2009, 21:26
i have two licenses now for a grand total of £80.
got the full £50 version from Play
and used my alumni .ac.uk account to blag the £30 upgrade.
money well spent i reckon. :beam:
The Stranger
11-13-2009, 14:40
does windows7 support software that originally came out for XP? For example, can I still play the games I bought a few years ago on windows7?
Is it better than XP?
does windows7 support software that originally came out for XP? For example, can I still play the games I bought a few years ago on windows7?
Is it better than XP?
Yes and Yes.
Furunculus
01-18-2010, 09:35
I upgraded my Vista64 gaming box to Windows 7 and i have to say; i like it. well worth £30.
I still have my full home premium license in its box, so i am now looking forward to building a new PC in april even more than previously.
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