Windows 7 Review: XP vs Vista vs 7 in 80+ Benchmarks
Posted 10/19/09 at 02:00:00 PM by Will Smith
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Finally, Microsoft releases a successor worthy of Windows XP
For the Windows faithful, it’s been a tough eight years. With the launch of Windows XP in 2001, we thought we were poised on a brink of a new world of NT-based goodness—but two years and uncountable exploits later, the future of Windows was grim. Facing a never-ending torrent of new ‘sploits, worms, and trojans, Microsoft fired back with the single greatest operating system update of all time—Service Pack 2. In the single fell swoop of SP2, Windows XP went from Swiss cheese to secure, and once again we were poised to enter the promised land with… (wait for it)… Vista.
Of course, we all know how Vista turned out. Haunted by poor performance in everything from games to disk access to networking, Vista is widely considered to be Microsoft’s biggest failure. Nonetheless, Vista laid the groundwork for a host of new technologies, all absolutely vital to pushing Windows into the 21st century. Vista’s new, modern driver architecture was designed to move core functionality from the kernel (where any instability can bring down the whole system) to user space—an absolutely necessary development. Likewise, Vista’s proper enforcement of permissions for both users and applications enhanced security, even though UAC remains very annoying. And once vendors fixed their driver flaws and Microsoft squashed some underlying bugs, Vista morphed into an entirely workable operating system, even if we still wouldn’t describe it as “good.”
So, as 2009 draws to a close, we find ourselves testing another new Microsoft OS: Windows 7. Building on the now-mature technologies introduced with Vista, but with a renewed focus on performance and ease-of-use, Windows 7 seems poised to succeed where Vista couldn’t. We’ve finally received a final build of Win7, and have run it through the wringer in both the Lab and in the real-world. Here’s what we found.
New Features
While support for new hardware and improved security are perfectly valid reasons to upgrade your OS, the sexiest benefits of an operating system upgrade are all the new features. Indeed, from a completely revamped user interface to brand-new features designed to make organizing and sharing your files easier, Windows 7 delivers much more than some new wallpaper and a different color Taskbar. (Though there are lots of new wallpapers.)
User Interface Enhancements
The most obvious changes from previous versions of Windows to Windows 7 can be found in a redesigned user interface. Sure, much of the interface remains the same, but Microsoft has completely overhauled key elements, starting with the Taskbar.
The New Taskbar
After 14 years of nothing more than cosmetic changes, Microsoft’s redesign of the Taskbar combines the pure window organizing power of the classic Taskbar with the application-launching, multi-purpose convenience of Mac OS X’s Dock. In addition to showing the applications that you currently have open, the new Windows 7 Taskbar also hosts shortcuts to your most commonly used applications. Click a shortcut when the app is running, and it brings the most recently used window to the foreground. Click the same shortcut when the app is closed, and it will launch the app.
But that’s not all. Drag a file onto a shortcut in the Taskbar, and Windows will open the file using that app. Hover your mouse over a running application’s icon, and it expands to show live thumbnail previews of all of that app’s windows, floating just above the Taskbar. Mouse over a thumbnail, and Windows will bring that particular window to the foreground. You can even close individual windows from the thumbnail previews.
For anyone who regularly finds himself with more than 10 windows open, the new Taskbar is a dream come true.
Jump Lists
Another core enhancement to the OS comes in the form of Jump Lists. In short, Jump Lists put frequently used files in a convenient menu that’s a simple click away from the shortcut icon on the Taskbar or on the Start Menu. Apps that support Jump Lists will display the list when you right click on the shortcut, or when you left-click and drag the mouse up away from the Taskbar. Additionally, some apps will automatically populate their Jump List with files you recently opened.
New Shortcuts
Along with the redesigned UI elements comes a whole new world of user-interface shortcuts. There are really too many to get into here, but the best of the new shortcuts allow you to maximize a window by dragging it to the top of the screen, minimize it by dragging it to the bottom, maximize to half your screen by dragging it to either edge, or (our favorite) minimizing all other windows by shaking the one you want to focus on. Furthermore, enhancements to alt+tab let you immediately find lost windows, and you can use the Windows key and numbers 1 through 0 to launch the first ten shortcuts on your Taskbar. And when those apps are already open, you can cycle through multiple windows by pressing the app’s keyboard shortcut again.
Explorer Enhancements
Windows Explorer also receives some much-needed love. The changes since Vista are relatively minor, but they serve to make the left-column of Explorer the quickest way to navigate to any folder on your hard drive, network, or even in the cloud. Furthermore, you can arrange the different categories in any way you want, quickly add special folders to the Favorites section, and even hide sections you don’t use.
The other main place to access the file browser is the shortcut bar on the right column of the Start Menu. In Windows 7, there are more folders that you can choose to display there, including Downloads and Recorded TV. However, you still can’t place any folder you choose in one of those precious slots.
We Hope You Like the Ribbon
The controversial Ribbon, which replaced traditional menus and shortcut bars in Office 2007, is prominently featured in Windows 7. In the applets that ship with the OS, you’ll see the Ribbon featured prominently.
we know that we'll be forced
Submitted by girhadi on Sat, 11/14/2009 - 3:06am
DO NOT post links for SPAM in our comments sections. -Quakindude
64bit Windows XP was very
Submitted by Caboose on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 6:56pm
64bit Windows XP was very VERY poor compared to the 64bit flavours
of Vista and Windows 7. One of the primary reasons is a great lack of
driver support. And don't bother trying to use Vista or Win7 64bit
drivers in XP.You can keep using your XP as long as you want,
but when new hardware comes out that takes advantage of features found
only in Windows 7, and when drivers stop being produced for XP or XP
goes on to legacy support, with updates once every 6mo or a year, I'm
sure you'll be singing a different tune. One of the major reasons to move on to Windows 7 (when you're ready to do so. ie getting a new rig) is support for new hardware. With Windows 7, you can set up a nice RAID array and it'll work out of the box. You can install Windows 7 on a brand new machine and I guarentee you that the amount of extra drivers to install will be very minimal compared to XP. If you were to take a brand new Corei7 or PhenomII based system, with SLI or Crossfire, RAID1, Blu-Ray playback, and USB 3.0, you'll have a lot of drivers to install just to get everything working nicely. And it'll only get worse as the years go on. XP is almost a decade old. Heck, most people replace their cars by now, and a car costs a lot more than a $200 operating system.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amatures build the arkl professionals build the Titanic!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Caboose
Submitted by targetsb on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 8:10pm
I agree with your comment except for the last statement....
"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amatures build the arkl professionals build the Titanic"
The Ark stayed afloat and the Titanic sank, so who were the professionals?
Submitted by Caboose on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 8:24pm
According to Biblical references, Noah wasn't a professional ship builder, thus the amature.
The individuals that designed and built the Titanic, were professional ship builders. Thus the professionals.
Now, I'm in no way saying that Microsoft are amatures when it comes to building an OS (Although all of the mac zealots will say otherwise), just the "try something new" part. *shrugs* I liked the quote.
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by knelson276 on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 7:41pm
thanks for the clear and well thought out responce. unlike some of the responces i've seen here. and i agree someday i'll have no choice. and while most people dont have a car more than 10 years old, how many people have to replace 8 cars at once. some of my computers are quite old, for instance i have a computer built back in 98 was a duel proc pentium pro with 256meg of ram. it still runs fine. its no gaming machine but i use it as a dedicated firewall for my homenetwork. so i think it wont just be a matter of upgradeing the os i'll also have to replace some computers. and the cost can quickly escalate. the newest computer i have is a quad core with 4gig ram, was the first computer i've purchaced in 6years, and the first i didnt build myself.
upgrade you 8 computers
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 10:26am
upgrade you 8 computers for $450 and have a extra liscence to boot
http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-7-Home-Premium-Upgrade-Family-Pack/product/87DFFF11?WT.mc_id=winonline_offers_Family
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by knelson276 on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 6:03pm
i'm sorry but this reads way too much like an add for microsoft, it doesnt seem objective. Especially when you include wallpaper as a reason for upgrading. come on you can get tones of wallpaper all over the internet. i hardly think a few pretty pictures makes it worthy of praise. would have prefered if you broke it down by functions in a table formate, show me what i can do with win 7 that cant be done in xp. and for goodness sake dont put searching the internet on the list. maybe its just me, i've never got into is it pretty. i've always been about the power, dont care what it looks like on the outside cus it has a supercharger under the hood and over 400 hp. I dont want to come off as a neysayer, i've been happily using MS since win 3.11 and runnign my own home network since way back. and i've upgraded hardware and software at a pretty steady pace. the only true complaints i have was with win ME and Vista. personally i think performance wize ms peaked with win 98se. but now that i'm retired its harder to justifiy shelling out loads of cash for very little return.
Submitted by knelson276 on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 5:39pm
is there a reason for not using the 64 bit version of xp for the comparisions? other than window dressing i cant see any good reason for upgrading from win xp. the only game i play is everquest and it only requires dx9. I have 8 computers in the house and all of them communicate just fine except for the 2 computers runing vista ultimate. as in ultimate disappointment. maybe home networkign is more secure but i think it was truely easyier on win 98. after reading this artical i cant say the new version lets me do somethign i cant do now, axcept the before mentioned dx10+. i dread the day when the support for xp ends and i'm forced to either stop using my computers or pony up to purchace 8 copies of win 7
Submitted by yackman01 on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 10:06am
Wow this was very random. Hey Maximum PC can you delete this posting that? Has nothing to do with computers and is just filling up your service space
My IT department says things
Submitted by Denis63 on Sun, 11/01/2009 - 6:00am
My IT department says things like, "Oh its just an ID 10 T error, those never go away..."
I'm still running 7 x64 RC, and my computer never gets turned off (well, only when i HAVE to, and only when i wanna push the envelope a little more on my overclock) and i've been running the RC since June or July, and i can't wait to get myself a copy of the full version. 7 just feels faster, I'm running a Core2Duo e6550 (2.33 OC'd to 2.94) 4gbs of Mushkin DDR800 (oc'd to 1050mhz). Runs like a dream! Also, i installed the 32-bit version on my Atom based Acer Aspire one and it feels almost as quick as my dualcore.
I have one more thing to add, Windows Movie Maker. WMM was one of those apps that no body seemed to use 'cause there are better alternatives out there, but whenever i've had to use it, its been great foor things like cutting up videos.
-Denis
Submitted by yackman01 on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 3:37pm
First of all I'm not OCP, second of all I HATE MACS! There are no good games for them and they are way to overpriced! To make things simple. I know the UAC can be turned off. The thing is everyone has their own way of running the system. If you know your way around computers it shouldn't matter if your running your computer as the administrator. I have worked with every Windows OS since 3.1. I have gotten extremely proficient around all of them. I have taken Windows courses on their website on Windows 7 and thanks to those courses I got a free copy of 7 Ultimate 64 bit as well as a Windows Expert certificate. SO I shall say again. Every person has their own preference about how they run their personal computer.
Submitted by Thursday on Sat, 10/31/2009 - 6:59am
Um...the Windows Expert certificate means you have taken a course that teaches you Microsofts "cool-aid" for selling Windows 7. It's not exactly a training program.
Submitted by yackman01 on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 10:09am
Um I hate to say this too. I have done other training on Windows 7. I no longer work at best buy either. I build custom computers for people as a business. Being an expert on an OS can come in many forms whether it be through different trainings Microsoft has, reading, or going head first into an os to learn as much as you can about it.
Submitted by Caboose on Fri, 10/30/2009 - 3:35pm
Dude, chill
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by erniemink on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 12:45pm
I went from XP Professional to Vista and did not look back. Any new version is necessary for up-to-date security and Vista was way more secure and up-to-date than XP. XP is dead and no longer valuable. I ALWAYS buy the newest version of the operating system, BOTH 32-bit on one computer, and 64-bit on the other computer hooked up through high speed Comcast broadband (the fastest internet out there hands down) to the same router. Now I have version 7 and I am just as happy. Again maintain your computer, always buy the most current version, and you will never have any problems worth mentioning anyways. I use ONLY Norton Internet Security software and Iobit Advanced System Optimizer with their best anti-malwaye program to. Take it from me who has been computing with only Microsoft software including Office for over 15 years and never would use anything else. Millions of others say the same thing who are smart and understand. Nothing Apple does even the iPhone or the iPod are worth having. The Zune beats it hands down. I use the Zune 120 and Zune HD 32 as well.
Thumbs up to Windows 7
Submitted by KayaCamilla on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 11:43am
With the emerging technologies in electronics now like
multi-core processors, high definition graphics and widescreen LCDs, it is
appropriate that a bundled operating system which will enhance and optimize
both interface and usage of this supercomputer be created. With Windows 7,
everything is just a click away. From favorites in multimedia up to the basic
documents we use for jobs: Windows 7 is the best. Although most softwares are
still compatible with XP and Vista, in time, these softwares would also
upgrade.It’s sham if you have the state-of-the-art hardwares yet
you operate with Windows 98. If you really have the affection with lower
versions of Windows then I will give you my old Pentium 3 or 4 CPU. Hahaha!
Kudos to the makers of Windows 7!
http://kayacamilla.com
Submitted by trang on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 7:01pm
I love maximum PC mag and read it regularly and reviews are always good, but I think ya missed a point here. No native upgrade ability from XP. Thousands upon thousands of corporate PC's are running XP SP2/3, they never went down the road of Vista because it offered no compeling upgrade for business.
So IT shops are faced with boot and scratch builds of all machines to get them to windows 7? I dont see that happening anytime soon.
You also didnt mention the abortion called Windows Defender?? rated consistantly worse product at handling spyware/malware?? that should have been a hi priority of microsoft. Hell you would have thought they would have bought an antivirus/spyware/malware company by now and branded it microsoft and bundled it with the OS's. Could save home users and business users a bundle, in time lost to attack and recovery. Wait that makes to much sense.
Ill keep XP sp3 for many months to come, for the simple fact, something always comes to light in a new version of Windows, and I dont want to beta test the dam thing.
Windows 7, sp1 hmm maybe... Windows 7 sp2... hmmm More than likely.
Unless Google OS gets out first and I can build a "google box" and break the chains from MS!! Oh the Joy of that day!!!!
My advice to MS has and always be they only need two versions of the OS. Personal User and Business user.
Submitted by NAYRhyno on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 7:43am
Have you ever worked in an IT dept for a corporation of ANY size. Anyone worth his or her salt will just make an image once and distribute it over the network with Ghost or a similar app. Not having an upgrade XP means NOTHING to IT administrators.
It shound't mean that much to people considering upgrading from XP either. Reinstalling the OS and your apps is not difficult, even if it is a bit time consuming. Install 7 over XP and you get a folder called Windows.old where ALL your sutff will be.
_________________________________________
Game-Central.org
Remote Desktop and Windows 7 versions
Submitted by AccuFundTrader on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 7:08am
Great article, but I found a descrepancy on the versions that support remote desktop. The article says you need Windows 7 Pro to be able to log into your computer from another PC. The Microsoft web site says it applies to all versions. Here is the link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Connect-to-another-computer-using-Remote-Desktop-Connection
Submitted by yackman01 on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 2:08pm
Listen here you grimy snot. Everyone has their won freaking ways of dealing with crap. THE Unix I use in the military has a standard user, a root user, as well as a super user. They each have their own functionality. You don't have to be a complete jerk about it. Just remember EVERY computer geek has his/her own way of dealing with crap.
Submitted by Weespat on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 12:13am
I must say, that the name calling is unecissary, and that logging into the system root is very unsafe, it makes it easier for malware to get in. However, in Windows 7, there is an option so you can adjust UAC to notify to everytime there is a change, or none at all. So why can't we be civilized people?
I hope I helped a bit
Submitted by Caboose on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 4:02pm
Woah! Calm down! No need to restort to name calling.
If you want to use Root and Administrative accounts as your primary account, then go right ahead! It's your system, you can do what you want with it. I was just stating that Root and Administrator accounts are not intended to be used full time and as a primary account. If you want to do that, then go ahead!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by yackman01 on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 2:38pm
For those that are getting Windows 7 there is still a UAC. Its not as annoying. But guess what there is a HIDDEN administrative account that you can access that doesn't have it. When you open start type CMD right click it and select run as administrator.
After Dos Prompt comes up type "net user administrator /active:yes" this makes the administrator account visible on every log in. if you want to password it at the same time type "net user administrator abcd" with abcd being your password of choice. I have done this on all my computers running Vista and 7. It performs much much faster!!!
Submitted by Caboose on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 3:43pm
Wow, because running the PC as the administrative account sure is safe! Thats like running your Linux box as root instead of a regular user!
I fail to see how using the Administrative account will operate the PC any faster than a regular user account that you create.
In all honesty, your suggestion is very very stupid!
Very stupid!!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by yackman01 on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 4:23pm
it actually is faster. The reason being it doesn't load up UAC. For installing software you can totally bypass that bullcrap. I have been working with computers for 14years now. For ppl that are computer administrators it is very helpful. And by the way in the military I use the root user instead of the regular user. and by the way the next step up from root user is superuser in some linux operating systems. For those people that know wtf they are doing its very nice to use.
I don't know about you but I would much rather have the full administrative function then have partially full admin. You are the stupid one.
Submitted by Caboose on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 5:38pm
I have administrative permissions on my Windows 7 box under my own account,
and you know what I did? I turned UAC off altogether. OMG! I TURNED IT OFF!
WOW! My PC is plenty fast using my regular account with admin access. Works
just fine. On a Windows box, unless otherwise stated, you are the local admin.
On a Linux box, that's what SUDO is used for. The majority of things don't
require you to have Root access.And I don't know where you got your info about Root Vs. Superuser access in
the Linux world, but Root has total and ultimate control over a system.Root access is to be used very sparingly, and you only need to use the
"administrator" account on a Windows box, when all other accounts are
disabled/locked/broken.The only time you use root access is if you've flucked your own access up in
sudo or such. Last time I used a root login on my Linux box was the day I
installed it.Using su or sudo keeps file automation from munching your system, as
administrative level access requires manual password input. This security
functionality is completely bypassed when logged-in as root.Same thing applies to Windows, as having administrative rights on your login
lets you directly modify the system's files.
Nevertheless, Windows is inherently security-sucky because it wasn't
ever designed with security in mind.MPC staff, anyone else out there want to correct me if I'm wrong in stating
that you should NEVER use Root or local admin accounts as your standard user
account unless you have a death wish for your PC.
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Forgive me if I am
Submitted by dusty blade on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 3:43pm
Forgive me if I am wrong...but cant UAC be easily disabled via the control panel or by pressing a button whenever it pops up? it seems like you guys are making a huge deal out of somthing that can b easily ignored or disabled. I guess this OCP must be a Mac-user in diguise, jury is still out on this however.
-=Hopefully what I say is right, never quote me on it though.=-
Submitted by Caboose on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 7:35am
UAC in Windows 7 is controlled via slider with various degrees of notification. Ranging from super paranoid, to off.
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
MS Media Center and Vistato Windows 7 upgrade
Submitted by C. Simpson on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 10:37am
So my MS Media Center from Vista Home Premium will exist after I do a Windows 7 upgrade? I don't want to pay more cash for what I got included with my PC. I thought the XP MC was suposed to have some advantages over the Vista edition. Will the 7 version be the same as Vista's or an XP retro or all new? I'm a little confused-comments please?
C. Simpson
"Life is hard...it's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
Submitted by Caboose on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 7:19pm
There are a LOT of improvements for Media Centre in Windows 7 over Vista, and over Windows XP MCE. The Media Centre app is included in Windows 7 so you don't have to worry.
Windows 7 Media Centre offers more support for various codecs. It supports DivX out of the box which is a very nice touch. You can still install things like CCCP for additional codec support, and a number of Vista MC plugins work with Win7 MC.
And one last thing, you should be doing a clean install instead of an upgrade. Ya, the upgrade advisor reports that there aren't any problems, but trust me on this one. You're better off doing a clean install. Back up your data, wipe the drive and start fresh!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by tehR0XX0Rz on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:51pm
A couple of thoughts I'd like to bounce off the informed:
What happens to all the Vista PCs on shelves right now? I know retailers are offering free upgrades, but I know from experience that upgrade installations suck. I wouldn't pay a dime for a machine that didn't come with the new OS--not unless they threw in a full retail or OEM Windows 7 disc. Will those older machines sell?
Why isn't the ribbon along the left or right side of the screen, rather than the top? Screens are getting wider, but not much taller, so it's counter-intuitive to take up valuable space along the top of the screen. Can that silly ribbon be relocated?
Submitted by dusty blade on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 3:48pm
I like having the ribbon on the top, although yes, it does take up space where there is less of it. I like having it on the top because it is easier to read. When this program was created im guessing it was invented with the basic user in mind, for people like you who dont like it use GUI hacks to change it, if you are the power user you appear as, that shouldnt be hard. Or you could just not care about your inch that is missing from your screen (or .3" if you minimize) and get on with your life.
-=Hopefully what I say is right, never quote me on it though.=-
Submitted by COMMANDER_COOK on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 5:26pm
It gives you the option to format.
OS shows its true age.
Submitted by accept_the_unknown on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:12pm
I love XP, but when an OS does not even include native support for dvd burning you are starting to limit yourself and what is easily capable today. I also love my Mac, but no bluray support for movie playback does not show me it is even the latest and greatest OS. I will stick to XP if I need to properly run old games and technology. For now, I will move on and let go of the past and run Windows 7.
Frankly I could care less
Submitted by big_montana on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 6:49pm
Frankly I could care less about Blo Ray (yes pun intended) support in an OS. If I want to watch a movie I watch it on my big screen TV, not my 24" monitor. Or just play the freaking DVD on the player attached to my TV (and yes I will be the last man on earth to upgrade to Blo Ray, it aint going to happen)
Submitted by GuitarBizarre on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 9:46am
Well congratulations then, you completely miss the point.
There do exist those of us who have embraced the large screen PC. Peole like me for example. I'm sat here looking at a fully functional TV as I type this. Its awesome.
Not to mention Blu-Ray support in an OS is going to be more about data than anything else. You won't be able to burn everything onto one DVD forever as things get larger.
But hey, as your little bit of barbed rhetoric shows, apparently for you all progress is moot and useless unless YOU have a specific use for it. GOD FORBID that somebody else might well find a particular piece of something useful that you would not!
Oh, and by the way, common use doesnt justify the fact that it is and always has been 'I COULDN'T care less'
Saying "I could care less" just makes you sound like an idiot.
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:16pm
or run the games in XP MODE!
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by Digital-Storm on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:52pm
Games aren't meant to run in XP Mode. XP Mode is still a Virtual PC, which in effect, brings all of its performance degradations.
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:58pm
just saying...it is a option to try...hell i have a game that won't support XP :/
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
7 64-bit
Submitted by Cadillac Rob on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:07pm
OK, I drank the Kool-Aid and here's what the trip has been like so far:
I've had beta's of 7 Ultimate 32 and 64-bit for over a year now. On my last main system (Athlon X2 6400+, Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe, 2 GB Corsair Dominator, 2 Nvidia 8800's in SLI, WD Raptor, 750GB Barracuda 11) it was ok and since it was new I wasn't used to it. The 64 bit verion was better than the 32 but lack of drivers made things frustratiing. When the mobo puked and I upgraded a few months ago (AMD Phenom XII 955, Asus M4A79 Deluxe, 6GB Corsair Dominator 1066, WD VelociRaptor). I stuck to using XP 32 and 64 most of the time until the Seagate HD died and hosed the whole system. I wiped a 74GB Raptor clean and used it as a head drive to fix everything with my last RC of 7 64-bit installled and now I LOVE it. I'm running 4 OS's in this box (XP 32 and 64, 7 32 and 64) and 7 64-bit wins hands-down. I finally got the interface tuned the way I like it and it's FAST! Doing the menushowdelay 0 delay hack in regedit makes things almsot instant when you hit "enter". IE 8 is much more friendly in 7 64-bit than XP 64-bit, even Flash works. Using Yahoo Mail the difference in loading speed is very much appreciated, no delays any more. The Web experience is noticably improved in general.
Nero is quicker and I hope that Ahead comes out with a true 64-bit version soon. I do a lot of audio recording and editing, I'll never go back to a 32-bit OS again. The differences are more than minor, perfomance counts. The inclusion of native .ISO burning is great and faster than Nero in 32-bit. I've only managed to crash the computer once (driver issue) and I beat it at times like a red-headed step-child. So far, so good. When this RC beta expires next May I'll have to find a way to hustle up a comparable replacement at little or no cost to myself.
funny.
Submitted by JohnP on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 1:19pm
Me, I did not find any good reason to run Win7 64. Yes, I had my 6GB of memory show up but for the life of me, I could not find an app that seemed (subjectively) to run any faster. Mind you, this is a recreational machine so no Adobe or other multithreaded apps. That lack of being able to run my most productive apps and lack of half of the drivers I needed was the deal breaker. I went back to Win7 32 without regrets.
Submitted by GuitarBizarre on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 9:49am
Lack of drivers? THat does surprise me. I'm running a realyl bizarre set of hardware on this machine with win 7 RC x64 and I've not had anything fail to be recognized...even my external DAC set up fine first time.
Thanks
Submitted by alanmc76 on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:31pm
Thanks for driving up prices for the rest of us. We appreciate it. No, we really, really appreciate it. Come on over here so I can slap you on the back of the head. Sheesh.
_______________________________
-- "What am I, MacGyver? Fix it with what?"--
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:34pm
it's not like it's all that expensive either.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2060350368%204811%201179212716&name=Professional
$139 buck, for some you admit isleaps and bounds superior...thats...less then 3 games for Gate's Sake.
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by alanmc76 on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 2:48pm
$39 for students. But I was jus' sayin'...generally speaking.
_________________________________
-- "What am I, MacGyver? Fix it with what?"--
Submitted by 8bitmaster on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 12:57pm
due to being a college cs student, I have had the offical windows 7 free since september and it is as good as people say.
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 12:10pm
Hi i'm a Pirate.
I love 7 64-Bit, it blows away XP 64, but i don't want to spend money on a product i admit to loving dearly.
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
IMHO....
Submitted by nsk chaos on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 11:41am
definately better than vista on most parts but quite on par with xp aside from gaming in benchmarks...
Submitted by xchrissypoox on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 2:35pm
thats a myth, some old games do run better on xp, some new games run better on vista and 7 with DX9. But much of the times the performance is the same.
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 11:43am
Soooo the Best of Both Worlds?
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
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