The Computer Buzz

October 29th, 2009

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth - owners - The Computer Factory
 

Win 7 in the “No Spin Zone”

At The Computer Factory we build PCs with all operating systems and we repair and upgrade all PC brands. We get a unique perspective from working every day with all of the above. When it comes to operating systems and computer functionality, we live “where the rubber meets the road.” We know what’s going on and we call it as we see it.

In Vista’s three-year life span we built and sold over a thousand PCs, only seven with Vista, the rest with Win XP. We were able to tell our customers that Vista was slower than XP and had compatibility problems with a lot of everyday software. Armed with that knowledge, most customers chose XP over Vista for their new PCs. Retailers selling name brand PCs were not permitted to offer their customers a choice. Microsoft advertised Vista as “the best operating system ever” and refused to allow the major brands or retailers to sell XP based PCs

Media advertising is agenda driven. Its purpose is not to enlighten or educate us but to sell us a product. Honesty and integrity are impediments to this process so they are usually absent in commercial advertising.

Get out your salt shaker when Microsoft declares Windows 7 to be the greatest advance for carbon based life forms since the evolution of heterosexuality. Be wary when the Apple dude nails the PC nerd with news that an upgrade to Windows 7 requires more man-hours than the construction of the great pyramids. You are in the “PC Spin Zone.”

Windows 7 is essentially a cleaned up, debugged version of Vista. For the next several years, in its 64bit configuration, it will be the operating system of choice for new PCs. Most businesses will continue to stay with Win XP for a year or two until they are sure that all of their enterprise specific programs are supported in 64bit Win 7.

Before buying a new Win 7 PC, home users should make sure that their favorite software and hardware are Win 7 64bit compatible. Some unhappy PC buyers have found that the hardware and software upgrades required by their new operating system cost them more than their computer.

Microsoft is not likely to sell many Win 7 upgrades. While a few really ticked off Vista victims may rush to upgrade to Win 7, few if any Win XP users will find a Win 7 upgrade of much use. Win 7 gives a false impression of speed because it boots up quickly. While it is 10% faster than Vista, Win 7 is still 20% slower than XP and, like Vista; it still won’t run much of the older (legacy) software.

We will continue to upgrade and build PCs with Win XP, Vista and Win 7. Understanding the options and costs and determining which OS is best for your new or existing computer can be complicated. Gives us a call or stop in and we’ll help you make sure you ask the right questions and get the right answers.