Windows 7 is almost out on the market, so now’s the time to think about if you should upgrade. Many consumers are already test-driving Windows 7 Ultimate, thanks to beta and release candidate releases that were offered to the general public throughout the winter, spring and summer of 2009. While free to download and use, the beta and release candidate releases of Windows 7 Ultimate have an expiration date, and when that time comes near, the OS will become all but inoperable, leaving those users no choice but to purchase a retail version of Windows 7, or downgrade back to their prior operating systems.
What does Windows 7 have to offer? Well, many would describe the operating system as being like Windows Vista, but with many enhancements, and a huge boost in performance. One big focus is on performance on multi-core processors, which most newer computers and laptops feature. Boot performance and time has also been addressed and overhauled, so that Windows 7 users will enjoy a boot up that completes in thirty seconds or less. Other key features include improved and advanced touch and speech input and processing, better handling of handwriting recognition programs, and support for additional file formats and virtual hard disks.
Visually, Windows 7 looks a lot like Windows Vista, though some definite differences can be easily spotted. The Windows 7 desktop offers extensive support for themes. Each theme features specific sounds, colors, wallpaper and screensaver. Users of the operating system can select just one wallpaper, or opt to have multiple wallpapers selected, which will be randomly selected for display for an incremental amount of time — the minimum being ten seconds, the maximum being twenty-four hours.
The taskbar and system tray has also been re-designed. Icons are larger and more prominent, but there are no longer text labels to identify programs that are open. Instead, upon hovering your mouse over an open program, a small thumbnail will pop up. The thumbnail will show you a current preview of the program, as well as the program’s title. The system tray can be reduced to show just a few selected icons or none at
all; all other icons can be displayed by clicking on a small white arrow that reveals hidden icons in a small dialog box.
Should you upgrade to Windows 7? Many users of other Windows operating systems are currently asking themselves this same question. First, you will need to determine if your computer has the hardware necessary to run the operating system. Windows 7 requires a minimum 1GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor, 1GB of RAM (for 32-bit processors) or 2GB of RAM (for 64-bit processors), a hard drive that has at least 16GB
free, and a DVD-R/W optical drive. A video card is also required, and it must offer support for DirectX 9 graphics. Of course, keep in mind that these are the bare minimum requirements for Windows 7. For an optimal experience, you’ll definitely want to use better hardware.
Many questions about compatibility are also raised. The good news is that Windows 7 is very generous with even those programs designed for Windows 98 and Windows XP, and in most cases you should be able to run just about any program that you have on an older operating system. And if for some reason you run into problems, Windows 7’s handy compatibility mode options should be able to take care of things.
What does Windows 7 have to offer? Well, many would describe the operating system as being like Windows Vista, but with many enhancements, and a huge boost in performance. One big focus is on performance on multi-core processors, which most newer computers and laptops feature. Boot performance and time has also been addressed and overhauled, so that Windows 7 users will enjoy a boot up that completes in thirty seconds or less. Other key features include improved and advanced touch and speech input and processing, better handling of handwriting recognition programs, and support for additional file formats and virtual hard disks.
Visually, Windows 7 looks a lot like Windows Vista, though some definite differences can be easily spotted. The Windows 7 desktop offers extensive support for themes. Each theme features specific sounds, colors, wallpaper and screensaver. Users of the operating system can select just one wallpaper, or opt to have multiple wallpapers selected, which will be randomly selected for display for an incremental amount of time — the minimum being ten seconds, the maximum being twenty-four hours.
The taskbar and system tray has also been re-designed. Icons are larger and more prominent, but there are no longer text labels to identify programs that are open. Instead, upon hovering your mouse over an open program, a small thumbnail will pop up. The thumbnail will show you a current preview of the program, as well as the program’s title. The system tray can be reduced to show just a few selected icons or none at
all; all other icons can be displayed by clicking on a small white arrow that reveals hidden icons in a small dialog box.
Should you upgrade to Windows 7? Many users of other Windows operating systems are currently asking themselves this same question. First, you will need to determine if your computer has the hardware necessary to run the operating system. Windows 7 requires a minimum 1GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor, 1GB of RAM (for 32-bit processors) or 2GB of RAM (for 64-bit processors), a hard drive that has at least 16GB
free, and a DVD-R/W optical drive. A video card is also required, and it must offer support for DirectX 9 graphics. Of course, keep in mind that these are the bare minimum requirements for Windows 7. For an optimal experience, you’ll definitely want to use better hardware.
Many questions about compatibility are also raised. The good news is that Windows 7 is very generous with even those programs designed for Windows 98 and Windows XP, and in most cases you should be able to run just about any program that you have on an older operating system. And if for some reason you run into problems, Windows 7’s handy compatibility mode options should be able to take care of things.
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