Skepticism about Windows 7 is more than justified considering Microsoft’s spotty record with operating systems.
Well now, Microsoft is looking to stop the bleeding from the broken glass all over the floor from where Windows Vista shattered. Their solution is Windows 7, the new version of their always flawed operating system that, according to the hype (hype they almost certainly manufactured themselves), is supposed to finally halt the Mac’s recent surge in market share.
Only problem is… this is still a Microsoft operating system, even if the company is someone less powerful than it was ten years ago.
Upgrading a PC to a new version of Windows is always so painful, even David Coursey from PC World is saying you might as well just buy a whole new machine.
“Windows 7’s biggest failing is that upgrading from XP upgrade requires reinstalling applications and moving personal data around. And who looks forward to doing that?”
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/173792/windows_7_dont_upgrade_buy_a_new_pc.html
If you hear a dripping sound, that’s just the collective drool of the hardware and software vendors who are fully expecting you to keep that wallet out long after you purchase Windows 7.
When Vista was released, I did the “purchase a new PC” thing too… and you know what? It was STILL a nightmare. Peripherals didn’t work, and searches for updated drivers often yielded results like “we’re working on it.” And suddenly, half my software wasn’t working correctly. I had a version of Dreamweaver that was about 2 years old at the time, and of course couldn’t find my registration key. So when I called Adobe to retrieve it, they told me that the version of Dreamweaver that I was using wasn’t compatible with Vista, and recommended I spend another couple hundred upgrading it.
Looking back, I seriously doubt the “advice” that Adobe rep gave me was sound. But after wondering if I’d be having similar problems with Photoshop, Premiere, Acrobat, etc., my final solution was to chuck that new PC into a closet and spend the money on an iMac instead.
I’m still using that same iMac today, and haven’t even considered a need to upgrade it. To be sure, Macs aren’t the ideal platform for gaming. But when it comes to keeping work days productive and minimizing the “scream at your computer” moments, it has been a godsend. There have been a few bumps in the road, but I’m spending so much less time running down undesirable computer behavior — plus, the OS doesn’t get in the way of productivity.
Things just work nicer with my Mac than they ever did with Windows… whether that be Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, or especially Vista. I hardly ever reboot now. So you’ll have to pardon me if I don’t jump on the Windows 7 bandwagon. It’s certainly possible that the financial kick in the butt that Microsoft got from their “just ship it” decision on Vista was just what that company needed to finally get it right, but I’m not holding my breath.
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One Response
I switched to Mac in 2004 and haven’t looked back. You’d think after all these years Microsoft would “get it” … and more people would defect. Guess not.