Windows 7 is actually worth it.

Bornabe · 10-10-09, 04:51 PM

I'm now dual-booted Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit & Kubuntu Linux v9.10 and let me tell you, there's not a whole lot Windows 7 doesn't have to offer just about everyone. I'm a Linux Fanboy myself but am very impressed with Windows 7.

I've got it's Final installed and activated (friend sells their software) and when you add Stardock's Object Dock to Windows 7, you've got one 'Ultimate' experience... lol, made myself giggle at that stupid Pun.

Anywho, just thought I would put it out there that Windows 7 definitely meets it's hype. It's visually not much different than Vista and can be easily customized using Stardock's WindowBlinds 7. I would recommend the 32bit for Software Compatability, but 64bit'll do just fine for your average PC users.

The main reason I enjoy Windows 7 is it's astounding performance increase over Vista. Using the same exact system, both 32bit and Ultimate versions of Vista & 7, I notice immediately the crisp responsiveness of 7 and how nice it is. I receive approximately 5 to 8 more FPS in WoW alone!

shkm · 10-10-09, 05:21 PM

I've tried 7 and while it's polished, I still prefer good (?) old XP. Win x64 still has a long way to go with drivers -- at least, I couldn't find sound drivers for 2/3 computers -- and the sound system itself seems to work against you as much as it possibly can. I also always experience a black screen and delay when alt-tabbing from WoW -- even with all the fluff turned off -- which never happens in XP.

Microsoft did well with this one, but it's still hard to find an actual reason to make the switch from XP. Sure, the initial setup is much quicker and again, more polished, but the experience doesn't best XP when it's all configured in my opinion.

Well, that's my two pence anyway

.

Bruners · 10-10-09, 05:28 PM

what stoneage hardware do you have that it doesnt have drivers for?

***Dolby*** · 10-10-09, 05:37 PM

Having 3 different sound cards for production work audio routing in windows 7 is much easier than windows xp. I haven't run into any problems with x64 drivers even using an old wacom tablet and they had win7 x64 drivers. Its also nice to have windows use more than 4gb of ram properly. Its a must when doing 1080p work in After Effects. Also having native h.264 support in media player is nice.

Elhana · 10-10-09, 05:41 PM

... still waiting for FreeBSD 8

Bruners · 10-10-09, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dolby

Having 3 different sound cards for production work audio routing in windows 7 is much easier than windows xp. I haven't run into any problems with x64 drivers even using an old wacom tablet and they had win7 x64 drivers. Its also nice to have windows use more than 4gb of ram properly. Its a must when doing 1080p work in After Effects. Also having native h.264 support in media player is nice.

The sound system in Windows Vista/7 is just awesome!

Wimpface · 10-10-09, 07:19 PM

Windows 7 is GREAT. I'm actually going to spend money on this. My wallet won't be happy but I sure as hell will!

Dalarond · 10-13-09, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Bruners

what stoneage hardware do you have that it doesnt have drivers for?

This might be more of a situation with running the 64 bit version of the software. If your machine is like mine, capped at 2 gigs, just use the 32bit version.

I've been running Windows 7 RC1 client since it's release. Definitely plan to get the upgrade. I can say it's definitely less resource intensive than VISTA and considerably more peppy.

Petrah · 10-13-09, 11:34 AM

Been running 7 on my daughters computer and also several versions on a virtual box ever since it became public beta. I really do like it, but unless the price comes down I won't be getting it.

Doomborne · 10-13-09, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Petrah

Been running 7 on my daughters computer and also several versions on a virtual box ever since it became public beta. I really do like it, but unless the price comes down I won't be getting it.

You should look into the OEM version, if you don't do frequent hardware upgrades.

Have91 · 10-14-09, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by shkm

I've tried 7 and while it's polished, I still prefer good (?) old XP. Win x64 still has a long way to go with drivers -- at least, I couldn't find sound drivers for 2/3 computers -- and the sound system itself seems to work against you as much as it possibly can. I also always experience a black screen and delay when alt-tabbing from WoW -- even with all the fluff turned off -- which never happens in XP.

Microsoft did well with this one, but it's still hard to find an actual reason to make the switch from XP. Sure, the initial setup is much quicker and again, more polished, but the experience doesn't best XP when it's all configured in my opinion.

Well, that's my two pence anyway

.

Is your computer 8 years old or something? They added a lot of drivers support for old stuff so I don't know why yours wouldn't work. Btw if you don't have a graphics card it's not going to give great performance because on-board sucks to begin with. Also the black screen part could be do to you running out of RAM and causing it to run very slowly.

Akryn · 10-14-09, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Have91

black screen and delay when alt-tabbing from WoW -- even with all the fluff turned off

That actually sounds like you just have Win7 run at a different resolution from WoW; but have XP set to the same resolution.

Bornabe · 10-14-09, 06:07 PM

Anything that varies on your Desktop visual settings and inGame settings will cause the Black Flash of OMGness. Also, so far I haven't seen squat for differences in Home Premium or Ultimate... although I have Ultimate and am happy to say I have it, just because I believe in having the best when you do have something at all... but in Vista there were some fairly large differences what with the whole moving backgrounds and extra games, but as of right now, Ultimate doesn't seem to have separated itself just yet.

PigtailsofDoom · 10-18-09, 09:32 PM

Today while browsing some info on Windows 7 I found this:

Windows 7 is available for students for $30

Hakula · 10-11-09, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by Bornabe

I'm now dual-booted Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit & Kubuntu Linux v9.10 and let me tell you, there's not a whole lot Windows 7 doesn't have to offer just about everyone. I'm a Linux Fanboy myself but am very impressed with Windows 7.

I've got it's Final installed and activated (friend sells their software) and when you add Stardock's Object Dock to Windows 7, you've got one 'Ultimate' experience... lol, made myself giggle at that stupid Pun.

Anywho, just thought I would put it out there that Windows 7 definitely meets it's hype. It's visually not much different than Vista and can be easily customized using Stardock's WindowBlinds 7. I would recommend the 32bit for Software Compatability, but 64bit'll do just fine for your average PC users.

The main reason I enjoy Windows 7 is it's astounding performance increase over Vista. Using the same exact system, both 32bit and Ultimate versions of Vista & 7, I notice immediately the crisp responsiveness of 7 and how nice it is. I receive approximately 5 to 8 more FPS in WoW alone!

I've also switched to Windows 7 Ultimate. I am running the 64-bit version with 6gb of memory and it's amazing. I'll never look back at Windows XP again. (RIP WindowsXP 2001-2009)

Ither · 10-11-09, 12:37 AM

You guys make me sick.. Maybe it's just the US that makes me sick.. They don't get W7 until the 22nd. I had half a mind to call my uncle in Germany to get it and mail it, but hell that will take just about the same amount of time!

Elhana · 10-11-09, 08:27 AM

It's on torrents for ages now, why bother with mail?
I mean I got RTM one in VBox for a month or so now, but I see no reason to switch my win2k3 I use for gaming for win7 atm since it has no benefits to offer. No reasons to pay for it for sure. Maybe on next reinstall I'll consider testing driver support.

v6o · 10-11-09, 08:31 AM

I'll stick with my Windows XP copy until at least the first Service Pack is out

Bornabe · 10-12-09, 05:15 AM

As an added note, I do also run other OSes, but Windows 7 really just shined for me this time around. I used to be a die-hard XP fan but have been spoiled using Vista and configuring it up the way I want. I use Stardock's WindowBlinds to change up the appearance of it all and have ended up with something I'm starting to really enjoy.

I bought a VPK License Key and downloaded the AIO (All-in-One) DVD for 32bit / 64bit and stuck with 32bit for compatability since I use a lot of old crap still for some reason, but I would recommend 7 to anyone who is using Vista and wants a major performance increase overall. If you love XP, staying there would do you just fine since there's no major reason to upgrade to 7 if you don't care for it's look. It has no bloat and on most system won't be in your way of enjoying anything you come across.

Pst, I'm also using Linux, lol.