Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Windows 7 launches tomorrow. Are you going to bite?
Crunch Gear ^ | 10/21/09 | Matt Burns

Posted on 10/21/2009 2:40:21 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta

Windows 7 has been a long time coming. In some ways it’s what Windows Vista was supposed to be back in 2006.

It’s fast, super stable, but also clean and sleek. I love it and switch from OS X because of Windows 7.

It has restored my faith in Microsoft and it feels good to be back on a Windows system after a five year hiatus. I don’t think I’m alone either.

Reviews and previews of Windows 7 have been posted ever since the first public beta in January of 2009. Everyone seems to love it.

I haven’t seen or heard of any major bugs or flaws in the operating system. Microsoft nailed this one and should be proud.

Tomorrow, October 22, is the official launch date of Windows 7. Preorders are already shipping out from online retailers and I wouldn’t be surprised if the retail boxes are already on the shelves in some brick and mortar stores.

In fact, TG Daily is reporting that Windows 7 has dethroned Harry Potter as Amazon’s most successful preorder item of all time. It’s clear that people want Windows 7.

But do you? Seriously, I’m asking. Do you plan on purchasing Windows 7?

I’m not saying you should pay full retail for the system as there have already been a few deals for the OS including a student discount and the Signature edition found in the Windows 7 Launch Party packs landing on eBay for cheap.

Or you can snag an OEM version on the cheap too if you can manage without the retail box and documentation.

But if you do have to pay full retail, at least Windows 7 rings up at a lot lower price than previous editions of Windows 7 with the most expensive Ultimate edition costing only $319, which is slightly less painful than Vista’s $399 MSRP.

That’s still a good chunk of change though. I can tell you that Windows 7 does provide a significant usability boost over Windows Vista, but besides that, even I have a hard time justify the price.

I know Microsoft and Apple’s business model are totally different, but Apple wins people over when it prices new operating systems for $29 while Microsoft charges more than a cost of a netbook.

Apple also doesn’t have 17 different versions of the same operating system. Its K.I.S.S. strategy obviously means hardware and software.

You already know how I feel about the OS. I’m using it right now and have enjoyed the free beta versions the entire time.

I doubt anyone will actually line up at Best Buy for the chance to be the first tomorrow to purchase the OS. (Okay, maybe a few will)

There’s a good chance that savvy Windows users already have the OS either through one of the beta programs or from one of those “torrent” sites I hear about occasionally…

So what’s your plan? Is your computer getting a Windows 7 upgrade sometime soon or are you still going to live in the depths of hell that is Windows Vista.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-95 next last
To: Dr. Scarpetta
Never mind all that.

Tell us about Vista style DRM.

Is it there?

41 posted on 10/21/2009 3:18:08 PM PDT by Gorzaloon (Roark, Architect.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tax Government

What is your take for underneath the engine?

Processor?
Memory?


42 posted on 10/21/2009 3:18:15 PM PDT by Dacula (Evil succeeds when good men do nothing. Lets do something.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Cuttnhorse

Ditto to the Vista rage. Never another microsoft product again! No bite in this household!


43 posted on 10/21/2009 3:20:39 PM PDT by momincombatboots (Tom Lyons: Son in Law, Husband Father 1988-2009 KIA 090809- Hero 2 me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: WellyP
I just looked at Linux. It looks like XP only a lot faster and I didn't see it crash in the 5 hours I was there. I'm very tempted to dump Windows and switch Linux.

OK, HERE! :-)

44 posted on 10/21/2009 3:21:47 PM PDT by Gorzaloon (Roark, Architect.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Dacula

I read a review that said it’s faster at a few things like detecting a USB device and going to sleep and waking up, but that basically it’s not faster than Vista. Basically it is Vista. It has a few new gui features. I heard that Microsoft says don’t even try upgrading XP to 7. A clean install is required.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong.


45 posted on 10/21/2009 3:22:47 PM PDT by frposty (I'm a simpleton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: WellyP
I'm very tempted to dump Windows and switch Linux.

I switched years ago and never looked back. There are many distros (versions) of Linux, so you have to find the one that will suit you and your hardware.

You can also install BOTH Windows and Linux on your machine (given enough RAM and hard drive space) and pick which one you want to use on bootup. Or, you can run Windows within Linux, and vice versa, in a virtual environment. Many possibilities exist!

46 posted on 10/21/2009 3:32:45 PM PDT by wvguy (Montani semper liberi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta

I’ve been running Win7-Ultimate for over a month now and haven’t had one single problem. Not one. I, for one, am impressed.


47 posted on 10/21/2009 3:33:32 PM PDT by Bullish ( Reality is the best cure for delusion.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gorzaloon

Did the DRM in Vista actually stop you from doing anything? I used it for years and had no issues doing anything at all.


48 posted on 10/21/2009 3:36:02 PM PDT by DevNet (What's past is prologue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Cuttnhorse

Maybe I am a prude but what does Vista do that everyone hates it so much? My new computer with Vista Home Premium works great so far.....


49 posted on 10/21/2009 3:38:13 PM PDT by hsmomx3 (GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta

I’ll wait to see what they do with the oft-rumored $150 3 license “family pack”. I’ve got 3 64 bit machines that I may upgrade.

For the most part though WinXP or Debian/Ubuntu meet my needs.


50 posted on 10/21/2009 3:40:35 PM PDT by OpeEdMunkey (Eat right...exercise...die anyway.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: newfreep

If you have XP this is not the upgrade for you.

If you have Vista, no problem, but with XP you’ll have to transfer files and will lose all your programs — maybe even have to reformat the drive.

I think I read all that on CNET.com.


51 posted on 10/21/2009 3:40:59 PM PDT by zipper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: frposty
>>>>>Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

You're wrong.

Step-by-Step: Windows 7 Upgrade and MigrationPublished: October 22, 2009
"To maintain settings when installing Windows 7 on a computer running Windows® XP, you must migrate files and settings using a tool such as Windows 7 Easy Transfer and then reinstall your software programs. (Windows Easy Transfer (Migwiz.exe) is installed with Windows 7 and is available on the Windows 7 DVD in the Support\Migwiz directory.)"

My advice is to use an appropriate sized flash memory stick, or get an external free standing hard drive. Both are fairly inexpensive alternatives.

52 posted on 10/21/2009 3:42:24 PM PDT by Reagan Man ("In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Cuttnhorse

I have Vista on my laptop and am learning my way around it. It is going to take some getting use to but in some ways, I like it better. When I was able to get back on my desktop, I found myself looking for icons, etc that were on Vista. Very odd.


53 posted on 10/21/2009 3:44:55 PM PDT by MamaB (If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: momincombatboots

I have Vista on my laptop and it took some getting use to but I like it.


54 posted on 10/21/2009 3:50:59 PM PDT by MamaB (If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: billorites
Note that anyone with a .edu email address can obtain a Windows7 license for either Home or Pro for just $30.

You supposedly need to be able to prove you are enrolled for x amount of credits should they ask.

Otherwise you could go to your alma matta, sign up for the lifetime email forwarding address that many offer, and *presto* you have a viable email address ending in .edu.

Not that I would know anything about this (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, eh).

55 posted on 10/21/2009 3:51:29 PM PDT by OpeEdMunkey (Eat right...exercise...die anyway.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Bullish
I have a new Dell 430 running the Vista Ultra, and it is just fine. No need to spend $ 400.00 on something that is really just a jazzed up version of Vista.
56 posted on 10/21/2009 3:54:00 PM PDT by BooBoo1000 (Some times I wake up grumpy, other times I let her sleep/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: BooBoo1000

What is Vista Ultra?


57 posted on 10/21/2009 3:55:17 PM PDT by hsmomx3 (GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: zipper
If you have XP this is not the upgrade for you.

I'm with you. There is an upgrade process from XP but this is as good of a time as any to do a clean install. I'm old school though, so you can't really go by me.

58 posted on 10/21/2009 3:59:16 PM PDT by OpeEdMunkey (Eat right...exercise...die anyway.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: OpeEdMunkey

Say no more, know what I mean...?


59 posted on 10/21/2009 3:59:17 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: billorites

heh heh...yeah


60 posted on 10/21/2009 4:03:16 PM PDT by OpeEdMunkey (Eat right...exercise...die anyway.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-95 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson