Windows 7 RC – My take
Windows 7 Release Candidate was released on April 30th to TechNet and MSDN subscribers. As a curious person I found it on torrent, downloaded it and installed. If I am not wrong, this RC should be good through 2010.
Windows 7 RC will be available for the public from 5th May onwards
This entire article has been typed on Windows 7 with Live Essentials (Live Writer).
Installation
I decided to perform a clean installation as recommended. But not without backing up my Windows XP partition using CloneZilla. Just in case I decided XP is better, I can always go back.
Installation was pretty straight forward. I wont say it is faster than the XP installation. I only remember a single reboot after the initial installation.
Drivers.. Drivers
Video Card
My system has an old ATI Radeon X300 graphic card. This was recognised and configured out of box. No issues what so ever. I like that about an operating system. Just like Ubuntu and Fedora Linux I had installed before. Even the dual monitors(BenQ 20inch and Acer 17inch) were recognised and configured to native resolution. All I had to do was flip the monitors(software wise) around the way I wanted it to be.
Sound
There was some funny issue with my on board Realtek sound. Some how the front headphone jack was recognised but not the rear ones. I plugged in my headphones and sound was good. Looking at the system configuration, I cant find a single option to make changes to. I suspected the drivers.
Realtek had an updated driver for Vista which happen to work with Windows 7. Installed it and rebooted and walah instantly recognised and configured. Back and front jack configured and it was good to go.
Speed and Performance
As mentioned in my previous beta review, performance is excellent. Launching applications is fast and smooth. Aero seems to work flawlessly, so far. It might work smoother if Aero is disabled but I want the eye candy for now.
I cant say how long this will last. I am afraid overtime ‘dust’ will collect and will eventually slow down the system. Hope it is not as bad as Vista as they all say.
Features
Aero-Peek
The task bar has been reworked and all open application docks to it. Opening multiple instances of the same app docks to the same icon. This is where aero peek comes in handy. Just hover over the icons and you will see a thumbnail preview of open program. This is so handy in finding which one you want to open quickly and easily. I absolutely love this.
Device Management
Now you have a centralised place for your device management. All plugged in devices are neatly showed in the list with relevant icon. Easy management in your hands.
Did I tell you that my HP Deskjet F4100 was recognised and drivers install automatically. Simply great!
Sync centre
I use a Windows Mobile based HTC Touch diamond hand phone. I often sync my calendars and contacts. Windows 7 comes integrated with Windows Mobile Device centre. It has been so since Vista but better integration and ease of use here in 7.
Homegroup
I dont understand this. I prefer the previous network neighbourhood thingy. The homegroup method tries to make it easier to network between pc in your home.
I have not tried it and so cant really comment on it. How about you? Let me know!
Windows XP compatibility mode
Windows 7 will be using a desktop virtualisation mode which allows to use Windows XP applications flawless. I hear that it needs to have compatible hardware for virtualisation. Not many desktops have that and hence will not really be much of use. Read here for the review.
Basically it is going to have Windows XP installed as a virtual desktop but working in the background. XP based application will work on it but seem to work natively. I hope you get what I mean
Conclusion
I am still testing out Windows 7. If it has no issues, then it will stay on my machine. Microsoft will provide a way to buy the license for current install.
Windows 7 will definitely be very welcomed. This is how Vista should have been.
I will run in for this week and provide an update.
Random Posts
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
I would have to agree. I haven’t been this happy about an OS since when I first tried Ubuntu because I got tired of windows ***king up. This is what vista should of been. Microsoft trying to corner the market and stay KING rushed a product that was not ready. People will be extremely happy with Windows 7. Sadly lol vista will go in the category of other OS’s that sucked ie Windows ME. Oh btw very nice site I just happen to stumble upon this will bookmark and read more later.
Agree. I went the way of Ubuntu for sometime but there are apps that I need that only windows has. So had to stick with XP.
I am happy that MS got their brains together and did something right for once. Windows 7 will definitely be well received. I am running it for 3 days and so far so good. No crashes yet.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Appreciate that.
[...] 7 – Pros and Cons 16 May 2009 1 views No Comment I posted a short write up on Windows 7 here and am writing again to provide an update of the features that I found to be useful. This will be [...]
[...] and shutdown speed and excellent on the current 2.5 yr old pc that I am using. Read my review here and [...]
Leave your response!
Popular Posts
Categories
Recommended
Sponsor
Recent Comments
Most Commented
Most Viewed