Hey all, this is my Windows 7 review (finally!) that I wrote for Spark* and need feedback on:
WINDOWS 7
What Vista should’ve been – but wasn’t
Having well and truly dug loyal Microsoft fans into a hole with Windows Vista in 2007, the computer-giant has finally thrown down a ladder with the release of the latest operating system Windows 7. Determined to ensure that the user has as much input as possible, this time, Microsoft has been offering Windows 7 in open beta for several months, but the question is, does it make up for Vista and is it a real competitor in the OS arms-race with Apple?
After the demands that the leap from Windows XP to Vista had on hardware requirements, 7 is surprisingly easy-going with that respect. This is because Vista and 7 are both built on the same core technology, meaning that almost all computers that are capable of running Vista will be able to run the new OS with no problems at all. Its speed and performance are nothing astounding, but can compete with Apple Mac OS X and is certainly better than Vista, with less crashing.
From an aesthetic point of view, Windows 7 is practically indistinguishable from Vista except for the redesigned taskbar (dubbed the ‘Superbar’). The taskbar has some undeniable similarities with the Mac OS X dock – displaying only the large icons of applications – which Microsoft have admitted was a direct influence. However, early beta versions of 7 included the same taskbar design that Vista has – suggesting that it’s really just an afterthought addition to convince normal consumers that this is something new and not just Vista repackaged. Nevertheless, the taskbar is one of the nicest new features of 7 as it reduces the cluttered look of a busy taskbar and makes everything much easier to find. All instances of the same program can be found under the single icon on the taskbar and it can be customised to include permanent icons for quickly launching regularly used programs. This, and other tools that Microsoft have included, seek mainly to streamline switching between programs, such as the ‘peek’ tool that gives you a live thumbnail preview of a program screen before you maximise it, as well as the ‘snap’ tool that makes opening two windows side-by-side quicker and easier.
If you were an early adopter of Vista, you’ll remember the horrendous problems it had with compatibility of software and hardware. Windows 7’s new ‘Device Stage’ application replaces the standard ‘Autoplay’ by obtaining online information and features about the device you plug in, such as a camera or an mp3 player, and putting together a device-specific menu about what you can do with that device; the decision to base 7 on Vista technology, but more efficient, also means that there won’t be a need for manufacturers to change device drivers as much. For software, anything that can run on Vista should be alright with 7, but for software developers who refuse to write for Vista, the new XP-Mode on Professional and Ultimate editions emulates the way XP handles software so that many old programs, that didn’t work on Vista, will now work.
Microsoft spent years as the mostly unchallenged leader of the OS market with efficient, useful but overall very similar iterations of Windows, they decided to shake things up and brought out Vista – an attempt to retain all the functionality but introduce the aesthetic appeal and “wow factor” (if you remember Vista adverts) that was, and remains, associated more with Apple Macs; the outcome was Vista, which looks set to become the worst commercial OS in history. Microsoft was fully aware of the backlash that followed its release and went to unprecedented lengths with beta testing to ensure that Windows 7 was heavily influenced by what the user wanted. They’ve taken a wise step in not making another huge leap like before and with two years of industry-adaptation to Vista, people are well placed to upgrade and continue with an OS they know, but actually works and with a plethora of new features. The latest OS release from Apple, Snow Leopard, has had some severe problems and bugs for early upgraders. Not to kick a cat while it’s down, but Microsoft may be able to use this to its advantage in its ongoing power struggle with Apple and regain the ground that Vista lost. 7 does what Vista couldn’t – it’s functional, practical and looks fantastic.
Should you upgrade? Absolutely!
Windows 7 is available direct from Microsoft for around £30 using a valid student e-mail address (ending in .ac.uk) or, if you are a Systems Engineering student, free from ELMS.