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Windows 7 RC Review

May 5th, 2009 by admin | download this post as a .pdf pdf Buzz This

Yes, I do know that I host a site about Linux and Open-Source technology. However, I feel that if I am going to continue my dislike for Windows products that I have to try out the latest and greatest of their products. You know, it is not that I feel that Windows is a bad product. Linux and Open-Source technology is just better for ME. Not everyone is cool. With that said, let me get on with it.

Summary of Installation

  • Installed using VMWare Server2 using Vista 32-bit virutalization – (1) requires 8.475GB for the install. I used 14GB, (2) the installation required 2 restarts, (3) VMWare Tools are not supported for Windows7 (duh), and (4) test machine was an AMD Duo Core 4400+ 2.3GHz with 1024MB RAM, Bridged networking, with a cherry on top.

Comments

You can take a look at the screen-shots below. But, I have to say that it is a fine operating system for those that want something to do the work for you.  Admittedly, I am not the most informed Windows user. However, the package seems well refined from the previous Beta Version that was released a while back. The interface emulates that of Vista with several perks.

It has been reported that Windows7 (W7) categorizes your images and documents for you. In other words, regardless of where your images and files are located, W7 will find them and create the equivalent of symbolic links in your ‘My Pictures’ and ‘My Documents’ folders, respectively. Very cool. Another feature that is included with W7 is the XP emulator. However, I could not locate it… Apparently, it only comes with the Premium version and above. The W7 blog reports that the Premium and above version of W7 operating system comes complete with the equivalent of XP Service Pack 3 pre-installed. From a certain perspective, the end-user is getting one hell of a bargain. If they purchase W7, it comes with XP pre-installed! One blog that I looked at reported the following price list for the new OS:

  • Windows 7 Starter: $199
  • Windows 7 Home Premium: $259
  • Windows 7 Professional: $299
  • Windows 7 Ultimate: $319
  • Windows 7 Enterprise: Unknown

Microsoft was ready for developers this time. Their servers plugged away at the 2.4GB download at over 1.5MB/s. I was impressed with my connection speed and their servers all at once! Ahhh, computers…

I think that the screenshot gallery below says it all. But, I like it. If I did not have a web server, I might actually give it a partition on my drive. Just perhaps… Nah, just kiddn’.

The real test for W7 comes with business integration. Will businesses take the plunge and replace the functional XP? I suspect that once XP is slowly dissolved from the ‘Downgrade’ portion of pruchasing a new computer, W7 will be the new common OS for the masses. Don’t forget about Linux though. If you need a solid, secure, and stable OS, drop me a line and I will be happy to work with you on a FREE OS for the masses!

Thanks Microsoft for the opportunity to try out your new OS!

~Mark


This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at 10:35 pm and is filed under Informational, Non-Linux Operating Systems, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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One Response to “Windows 7 RC Review”

  1. Richard Says:
    June 12th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    Downloaded, installed W7 Ult RC1 32bit. So far I’m mildly impressed since it took some odd-ball programs I never expected it to run and runs them well. One program is a freebee, but very comprehensive audio editor that cooked right from the beginning.

    The mail program in Win Live is OK…nothing fancy, but serviceable. The rest of Win Live is fluff for which I have little use.

    W7 found my video (nVidia 9400GT/1GB, audio card and Ptr/Scan/Copier (Brother DCP-350C) and loaded the appropriate drivers with no fuss. Microsoft’s audio driver works very well…no need to install Realtek’s HD Audio driver at all.

    My NIC, LAN and router were detected and installed without incident.

    My system dual-boots with XP Pro SP3 and all the drives/partitions are in NTFS, so rowing through the system is simple.

    I’ve been trying the various offerings from the Linux community, and some of them are very good indeed, but none of them offers the apps I want despite the massive repositories of software.

    I just hope I don’t suffer sticker-shock when I see the price MS will ask to validate my copy of W7.

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