Is 7 lucky for Microsoft?
Windows 7, which is released for sale to Irish PC users for €200 on October 22, represents a major challenge for Microsoft.
The company’s goal is to re-establish its unassailable dominance in the home computer market.
Vista, for all of its positive sales figures (mostly forcibly, bundled on new computers), remains an unloved system. Indeed sales of Windows XP, via low-powered netbooks, have shown more growth in some computing categories than its successor. Vista is fussy, neurotic and generally gets in the way of a smooth computing experience.
In contrast, Microsoft has done its utmost to make Windows 7 a very different proposition – and it shows. From the moment the computer is switched on, Windows 7 steps aside.
There are far fewer ‘security notices’, much fewer dialogue boxes that repeatedly ask whether you meant to click a certain button or not, and not much in the way of ambitious multimedia applications to be shoved down your throat whether you like it or not.
So what are the main advantages and disadvantages of Windows 7, then? Ahead of the product’s global launch, here is a quick guide, based on several months’ use of the system.
Advantages
Less power-hungry: Windows 7 doesn’t need nearly as much hardware oomph as Vista to get it working properly. This means that it can be used with netbooks and other budget computers which may not have higher-specification memory and processor features.
Less clutter, less noise:
the infuriating messages, notes, boxes and warnings have been massively diminished, letting you get on with basic tasks, hassle-free.
Aero and other new features:
there are some nice (albeit minor) features that generally speed up work and browsing. One of these is a ‘shake’ feature that allows you to minimise and maximise windows.
Another is a preview that mousing over icons in the lower taskbar provides.
Disadvantages
Mediocre photo and video programs: Vista showed that Microsoft isn’t a best-in-class photo or video outfit. Windows 7 doesn’t try to significantly improve this, which means we still rely on third party software to organise and edit pictures and home videos.
Bugs and viruses: it’s unfair to tar Windows 7 with security fears before it is universally released. But, once it does take over from Vista, it will inevitably become the biggest target for malware distributors and virus merchants.
Conclusion
Overall, Windows 7 is a definite improvement over Windows Vista. With so much computer functionality now moving to online-based software, this may well be the perfect time to release an operating system that does its best to stay out of your way. Relative to what has gone before, Microsoft has achieved that much.
