Caution - NEVER get a new Windows OS version until AT LEAST AFTER the first service pack is released ...
REMEMBER WINDOWS VISTA - Version 1 ???
Relaax. Win7 is just a Vista Service Pack. Let's say SP3.
Don't believe me? Vista was NT 6.0, and Win7 is NT 6.1. It's not that different, but it's much better.
Frankly, I like Win7 a lot, and I'm converting (most of) my XP boxes to the RTM (and before that the RC) with excellent overall results. I hate the changes to the Windows Explorer GUI (I favor the old Win2K look-and-feel), but everything else pretty much rocks.
Very stable, very fast. Think of it as Vista the way it should have been two years ago.
(BTW, I'm a Unix-head, not a Windows fanboy, and I'm typing this on my MacBook. I don't do OS wars.)
Windows 7 is the SP2 release candidate for build 7600 of Vista.
This is not a new operating system, there are barely any new features, however as you said, I waited until Vista SP2 to upgrade from XP Pro.
TIP: High school and university students and faculty (and anyone else with a valid .edu email address that isn’t from an alumni association) can get a legit home copy of Windows 7 TODAY FOR FREE, at dreamspark.
1. google “dreamspark”
2. set up a dual dreamspark/windows liveID accountwith your .edu email.
3. Log in to Dreamspark.
4. Download Windows Server 2008 RC2 (REMEMBER TO SAVE/PRINT YOUR WINDOWS SERIAL KEY from the download page!!)
5. Burn a DVD for backup
6. Install Windows Server 2008 RC2
7. Follow the step by step tutorial from http://www.win2008r2workstation.com/
8. Add ONLY what you need from the tutorials.
By adding only what I needed I have been able to slim down Windows 7 to under 60 processes and that includes unnecessary processes like usb gaming controller ports.
TIP 2: High school and university students and faculty (and anyone else with a valid .edu email address that isn’t from an alumni association) can get a legit Home or Professional copy of Windows 7 on October 22nd FOR $29.99 at:
- You can choose win 7 Professional for the same price (SEE Attached below “Pro.png”)...
...[Click where it says “Need to join your school’s network domain? Click here” after you enter you are verified, and you get to the order page]
- The 32bit or 64bit option pertains to the download only.
- DVD Versions should contain both 32 and 64bit options on the same disc! Microsoft told me when ordering that the DVD contains BOTH Versions.
- Based on personal experience, the download page should list both 32 and 64 bit versions of the OS (not yet confirmed) and the key will work for both.
This is a PRE-ORDER promotion. Students who place a pre-order will receive an email on October 22nd, 2009 which will contain a link to access the download of their product. For those who purchased the Backup DVD, the disks will be shipped around this date and a separate shipping confirmation email will be sent confirming the shipment.
http://a2.slickdeals.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=267116&d=1254555234