You cannot get the Windows 7 beta from Microsoft’s Web site anymore. The Redmond giant pulled the plug on its beta download free-for-all on Feb. 9 after several weeks of letting anybody who wanted to play with it grab it. Of course, you can still troll the dark side of the Internet to find the many software repositories where copies are ferreted. However, the hands-on exposure to the planned Windows XP and Windows Vista replacement OS has produced positive responses.
I am a small business IT consultant. For many years now, my 'mantra' has been to recommend:
- Mac - if you don't have any 'Windows only' software requirements and want the lowest TCO.
- XP - if you have a 'Windows only' requirement (many do) or a significant investment in Windows support that you are unwilling to rework.
- MS Office 2003 - because the largest pool of current and prospective employees are familiar with it to some degree and the training requirements are substantially reduced.
- Vista &/or MS Office 2007 - if you have money to burn (on hardware), a need to be on the 'bleeding edge' or are one of those who buy a new computer whenever the current one is 'broken'. Typically, 'broken' is the result of unsafe computing, lack of knowledge of how or willingness to clean up the system (or just like the new colors).
I have been playing with Windows 7 for several weeks now. Testing it on typical users such as my wife (bookkeeper), son-in-law - technical manager at a chip plant, son - restaurant manager, son - physics undergrad, client - very unsophisticated tech user, granddaughter - jr. high student, etc.
Results:
It installed on every system without a hitch (well, ok, one driver I had to hunt up)
Every system booted faster. (part of this is likely due to the fresh install and minimum of software installed, but the only 'rigorous' test I did was about 7% faster as well)
Notes:
Current AV / internet security software was installed and kept updated on every system.
With one exception, they all had no trouble adjusting from XP in short order.
Only two systems had any games installed (beyond Solitaire, etc) and only one of those got any real use of the games. I don't play or support games, but didn't hear any complaints from either user above or beyond the 'usual' (it's too slow, but not slower than XP, this or that feature is flakey or doesn't work, but didn't work or they didn't know if it worked under XP either)
Bottom line:
Unless Microsoft 'screws the pooch' between now and launch, I will be recommending Win 7 for both new systems and upgrades. Unless the economy improves there won't be much of either going on in my family or client population.
Oh, and in my 'not so humble opinion' MS Office 2007 is still too much of a 'retraining' issue to have a positive cost / benefit for my clients.
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Windows Shopping, Part 4: Smoothing Out Vista
Posted by: Jack M. Germain February 23, 2009 06:00 AMYou cannot get the Windows 7 beta from Microsoft’s Web site anymore. The Redmond giant pulled the plug on its beta download free-for-all on Feb. 9 after several weeks of letting anybody who wanted to play with it grab it. Of course, you can still troll the dark side of the Internet to find the many software repositories where copies are ferreted. However, the hands-on exposure to the planned Windows XP and Windows Vista replacement OS has produced positive responses.
- Mac - if you don't have any 'Windows only' software requirements and want the lowest TCO.
- XP - if you have a 'Windows only' requirement (many do) or a significant investment in Windows support that you are unwilling to rework.
- MS Office 2003 - because the largest pool of current and prospective employees are familiar with it to some degree and the training requirements are substantially reduced.
- Vista &/or MS Office 2007 - if you have money to burn (on hardware), a need to be on the 'bleeding edge' or are one of those who buy a new computer whenever the current one is 'broken'. Typically, 'broken' is the result of unsafe computing, lack of knowledge of how or willingness to clean up the system (or just like the new colors).
I have been playing with Windows 7 for several weeks now. Testing it on typical users such as my wife (bookkeeper), son-in-law - technical manager at a chip plant, son - restaurant manager, son - physics undergrad, client - very unsophisticated tech user, granddaughter - jr. high student, etc.
Results:
It installed on every system without a hitch (well, ok, one driver I had to hunt up)
Every system booted faster. (part of this is likely due to the fresh install and minimum of software installed, but the only 'rigorous' test I did was about 7% faster as well)
Notes:
Current AV / internet security software was installed and kept updated on every system.
With one exception, they all had no trouble adjusting from XP in short order.
Only two systems had any games installed (beyond Solitaire, etc) and only one of those got any real use of the games. I don't play or support games, but didn't hear any complaints from either user above or beyond the 'usual' (it's too slow, but not slower than XP, this or that feature is flakey or doesn't work, but didn't work or they didn't know if it worked under XP either)
Bottom line:
Unless Microsoft 'screws the pooch' between now and launch, I will be recommending Win 7 for both new systems and upgrades. Unless the economy improves there won't be much of either going on in my family or client population.
Oh, and in my 'not so humble opinion' MS Office 2007 is still too much of a 'retraining' issue to have a positive cost / benefit for my clients.