Windows Vista v. Windows 7

I have Windows XP on my computer right now. I need a new computer. Should I buy a new computer with Windows Vista now or wait until Windows 7 is available? I don't like to change operating systems after I buy a new computer. Can anyone tell me specifically what Windows 7 has that Windows Vista does not have? Is it worth the wait for Windows 7? Thank you. Mike Brown

 

As Steve pointed out, it depends on how long you can wait vs. how bad you need the new computer. The Windows 7 wikipedia article outlines what is new in Windows 7 and what has been removed since Vista. Note first that the article is not official from Microsoft so it may not be 100% accurate, and that Windows 7 is not finalized yet so the feature set is subject to change. There is also a What’s New section on the Windows 7 homepage (found here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/whats-new.aspx)
One other thing to think about is that Vista SP2 RC is out, so if you get a PC now with Vista SP1, you can look forward to SP2 in the future.
Jeff
Windows Outreach Team

 

Thanks Arie for correcting my mistake. Now I know!

 

Possible free upgrade. From Vista to 7
Free upgrade.

 

Well I don't think I will rush out & get Vista just for the possibilities of a free upgrade to Windows7, If it does happen it would more than probably be OEM only!!

I would wait for Win7 final release & buy your new system then, if you feel you need the OS upgrade!

Regards Jac

 

Yes, it will be OEM. The two OS's are very similar in both visual effects, looks, Aero, etc., but most drivers should also work, and eventually WILL work, if you do decide to get a computer now vs. waiting.

I thought the release date was around July 1 of this year? The beta is currently in the RC (Release Candidate) stage, which means it's not too far off.

One argument to get Vista would be that it has already been through all the initial problems, kinks, BSOD's, etc. There is already Service Pack 1, and Service Pack 2 is around the corner. SP1 had significant improvements, but all "under-the-hood" type of stuff. It's not like XP SP2, which is virtually its own OS. If you work a lot with WiFi, for example, Vista blows XP away, both before, and to an even greater extent, after Service Pack 1. Windows 7 will only build on that, but you can't rely on a brand new OS vs. a time-tested and incredibly well working OS like Vista.

One final piece of advice. Do not wait for Windows 7 because of all the "horror stories" that you've heard about Vista. They're simply untrue. A few people on here (who are all IT Professionals, mind you!) will likely back me up on this, right folks? You know who you are.

Finally, you will feel right at home if you decide to go with Vista now, and later upgrade to Windows 7, as it looks, feels, and works a LOT like it, which I am glad it does, as I happen to love Vista's eye-candy, and rock-solid performance.

What are you thinking of getting, by the way?

 

I havn't had a problem with 7, apart from diriver issues, which are to be expected with it being in developemnt stages. it's pretty stable. but I use vista business on a regular basis. and personally. I wouldn't "hold out" for 7. it's a little tiny bit quicker. but it's using the vista shell, so it wouldn't be any more stable. mainly theres a lot less running in the background and more user friendly...... its good, but it's not a huge leap from vista (esspecailly once they bring out the next few SPs).

on the other hand. if u wait for it. it means u won't have to upgrade later. still I wouldn't bother waiting.

 

I'm currently using Build 7057 and find it outstanding. I also agree with many of the others - if you can wait, do so, but if not Vista is pretty darn solid now, and an upgrade shouldn't be a big deal. I really like Win7. It does not seem to be nearly as resource-intensive as Vista and if you're a visual gee-whiz-that's-cool person, 7 is for you!

 

Are you running x86 or x64?? So you find it faster than Vista? I'm transitioning to 7 now that RC1 is out (build 7077), like I did with Vista.

Does anyone think there will be an RC2, or will it go straight to RTM?

 

Doesn't seem possible is what you're trying to say?? lol...Yes, build 7077 is RC1. During the installation (this time I bumped it up to 64-bit), build 7077 refers to being RC1 several times.

I agree that there won't be an RC2, so RTM should be next.

When it rains, it pours: BlackBerry OS 5.0 (upgrade from 4.6); iPhone/iTouch OS 3.0 (upgrade from 2.2.1); and Windows 7 upgrade from Vista of course.

I have my key waiting for 7 Ultimate.

 

I am on my Vista installation, since BlackBerry Desktop Manager (which I used to uphrade my BlackBerry to yet another beta OS lol) still does not work on 7.

Would you happen to know if there'll be two RC's, or just one?? As soon as the RTM version drops, I'm ditching Vista.

 

Yea, I know, but why are we (and MS) call it RC1.

Anyway, so Cinco de Mayo will bring us another update, which will be the last pre-RTM one? That'd be inconsistent with how Vista's pre-release progression went. RC1 to RC2 a month, and only a couple of weeks (I think I recall) before it went RTM in early December '06, before releasing the final on 1/31/07).

Manufacturers had almost 2 months to get their hardware prepped, which will take a lot less time I would think this time around.

MS is offering free upgrades for Windows 7 for free from Vista, starting July 1.

For some reason, it feels to me like it's going to go GM this summer...