Then again, maybe excited is the wrong word to use. There is a general pallor of “Let's see how bad this one is.” with a hint of optimism. Optimism is good, but everyone's skeptical attitude towards Windows 7 is completely justified.
Microsoft's Vista, a.k.a., The Monstrous Operating System of Epic-Failure-Proportions, is a deep black mark on Microsoft's already tarnished record. I've had a few unfortunate experiences of working with Vista PCs. Actually, to say that I 'worked' with Vista would be a stretch, It's better to say that I futilely attempted to use an operating system that didn't work.
PC's are built to be versatile and customizable, which is exactly what Vista wasn't. Attempts to make it customizable are rebuffed at the system's whim. It baby stepped you along and made all your decisions for you, all while reminding you at every opportunity that you may or may not be about to make a mistake that isn't going to happen.
Anyway, Vista is crap. So bad that businesses advertised that they could get rid of it for you. When something is so terrible it actually becomes a sell point for your older, supposedly inferior, technology you know you have a serious POS on your hands.
Here's a bit of irony. Vista is so bad even Windows themselves started marketing that you wouldn't have to put up with Windows 7, this owes to the early marketing of Windows 7. I've noticed for some time now that new computers that come with Vista mentioned that they're “Upgradeable to Windows 7.”
How clever of you Microsoft, you almost got away with it.
Microsoft has not only engineered a new operating system, but a genius new money grab. For some reason, I assumed that 'Upgradeable to Windows 7' meant that when it was out, customers would be able to ditch Vista for Windows 7 at no extra cost. Of course, this is not the case.
How much does it cost the consumer to upgrade from Vista? Here's a price listing of what the purchase of the OS alone will cost, and it's going to set you back more than $100. Then, if you take it in to a computer place to get serviced, you're already adding more money to a large enough pile as it is.
There are a few systems that did come with a free upgrade option, but this does not apply to all Vista computers. Not even close.
Microsoft has the right to make a profit, but the cost of Vista and an upgrade to Windows 7 is outrageous. They're taking two big dips from your wallet and stand to make a lot of money here. It's practically criminal considering that Vista was broken on release so the desire to upgrade is already there. Windows owes its Vista users for what it subjected them to, but they're not going to own up to this debt.
Here's another little tidbit you might be interested to know about:
Users of Windows XP will need to back up all their files or lose everything on their hard drive during the upgrade.
That's right, if you're one of lucky enough folks to have side-stepped the Vista debacle, you now have to jump through hoops to upgrade your computer. That's Windows way of giving the middle finger to all their patrons.
For me, this isn't a giant problem because I have the hardware and the know-how to do this, but the average person probably doesn't have a giant second hard-drive to back their computer up on. That means they're going to have either buy the hardware to upgrade their computer themselves, or spend the extra money to take their computer in to a computer shop for the Windows 7 installation.
Will I be buying into Windows 7? Probably not. At least not until I buy a new computer. Windows XP, with all its problems, is still a decent enough offering. It does what I want it to do, it's set up the way I like, and for the most part it works.
I also can't be trusting of Windows 7 reviews this early on. There's some praise for it already, but I'm 99% sure Windows would happily pay off reviewers to get some good press about themselves. I can't confirm my suspicions, but I'll wait until I hear the layman's reviews.
Here's another reason I'm suspicious, the Windows 7 Launch Party.
Have you seen this sad attempt at marketing? Seriously Windows. Just because your video goes viral doesn't mean it was a success. Especially when it's THIS HORRIBLE.
9 comments:
Jake, just letting you know I have used Windows 7 for a few days now and its awesome! Nothing compared to Vista! Well worth the money to get.
A friend of mine, who is a fellow IT guy I might add, has been using Windows 7 for a few weeks now (the oem version has been available to PC manufacturers for a while) and he is actually impressed with it, says that it is a huge improvement over Vista. From what I saw of it on his computer it looked pretty good. Even if it's no better than xp, the advantage is that if you install the x64 version you will actually be able to use your fancy 64 bit processor for, you guessed, running 64 bit applications.
In laymens terms basically for the past couple years every computer has pretty much come with a 64 bit CPU as opposed to the older 32 bit. The problem with this is that although you could use the 64 bit version of vista, most people didn't and there fore were not taking full advantage of their CPU's capabilities. What does this mean to you? Basically if you use a 64 bit operating system, you can run 64 bit applications, which run way faster than 32 bit applications running on the same computer but in a 32bit os (like Windows XP). They make make 64 bit MS Office and Adobe CS4, both of which benefit hugely, compared to the regular 32bit versions,from running on a 64 bit processor in a 64bit operating system.
/rant
I'm actually really happy to hear that Kory. I'm more miffed over the having to pay more money to essentially get your computer debugged from the Vista Virus.
k i counted and dave says 64 10 times lol.
your post is making me snicker.
windows xp is fine for me, and it will be staying on my home computer until it shudders it dies.
i have a mac at work. macs aren't perfect, but microsoft has had a lot of debacles lately.
haha, well from my perspective as a techie the most ridiculous thing in computer for the last 5 years has been the pushing of 64 bit CPU's when the majority of people don't actually use a 64 bit os with 64 bit apps.
(3 times ;) )
I use Vista and it's annoying. Windows 7 wasn't out yet when I bought my new laptop and I needed a new laptop after getting drunk and throwing mine into a wall and smashing it beyond repair.
Upgrading to Windows 7 will be even more annoying, even if I can get Dave to do it for me and at no cost to us.
I'd rather use Vista than a fucking Mac. I hate you Apple and I hate all of your products!!!
The 64 bit upgrade is not for the regular consumer though. That's for gamers, video editors, and grahphic designers.
The regular consumer base IS growing these days to include all of those things, but by-and-large, the average consumer wants to browse the internet, watch Youtube, play some small games, and do some light office work like typing and using excel.
That's why Netbooks have been manufactured and marketed as such. They're not powerful because their users don't need power. Upgrading to Windows 7 is a completely unnecessary expense for thousands, if not millions, of windows users.
Also: I'm a little in love with Chelsea now.
Fuck Apple.
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