Windows 7 beta 1 coming soon; already reviewed
The first official beta of Microsoft’s knight in shining GUI will soon be issued but reviews are already beginning to pop up around the internet. No, it’s not the first look we’ve had of the upcoming OS but it is the first in a line of official betas we’ll see previewed before launch-time. Of course everyone’s first impression is “wow, it looks like Vista,” but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Vista’s problems at this point after all, are most definitely not cosmetic; in fact many enjoy Vista’s clean lines and organization. Vista’s problem is still a bumpy launch and a stigma. With Windows 7, Microsoft no doubt hopes to put the Vista folly behind it and the company really couldn’t be in a better position to do so – it most certainly shouldn’t have been hard for Microsoft to discover which elements people disliked most about Vista. We can only hope that beyond building a quality OS, Microsoft pays attention to feedback from Windows 7 beta testers and general internet buzz during the beta process. If one thing can be learned from Vista, it is that the internet can be a merciless critic and literally destroy a product if enough complaints and ridicule are issued. Vista isn’t enough proof for you? Ask Palm.
Looks fine to me so far. I might buy copies for some of my older machines if the rumors of lower system requirements pan out. I will probably keep Mojave Ultimate on my desktop for now since it runs flawlessly on that. Either way, this strategy has worked well with Apple’s OSes so far (keep it similar, add features/polish/stability) so hopefully this launch is smoother than the first Vista launch.
its going to die like vista or be worse, long live linux !!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m downloading the beta right now and will install tonight. I can’t wait to test all of my applications on this!
@crack: While I like Linux, I have yet to find a version that runs as well out of the box and as well as Windows XP or Vista. I realize that a lot of that has to do with proper driver development and porting rather than the OS itself but as an end user I look for an OS that allows me to do what I need on whatever hardware I have available. So far, the best solution for me is Windows.
@neodorian: While I like Windows, I have yet to find a version that runs as well as Mac OS X. I realize that a lotof that has to do with proper driver development and porting as well as the OS itself but as an end user I look for an OS that allows me to do what I need without having to install anti-virus and spyware removal tools. So far, the best solution is Mac OS X.
btw… love windows 7. This round of OSes (snow leopard + win7) are going to rock.
Tyler – awesome.
and I’ll give 7 a try but with expectations so low now it should be fine.
I’m running Build 6801 on my laptop now, and I have to say it freakin’ r0x.
I originally had Vista on this machine, but it would suddenly start running slowly for no reason whatsoever, so I switched back to XP. Running Win7, it runs every bit as snappy as XP, plus I get the added benefit of a georgious GUI.
Long live Win7! Don’t screw this one up, Microsoft!
I’ve been using windows 7 on my dell mini netbook and it kicks ass as well on my personal computer at home. Its really a great improvment over vista even though it looks like vista. It runs completely opposite of its predecessor. 7 is a complete experience and I’ve seen significant improvements over the previous milestones. I will be trying the beta tonight
@Tyler: While I like OSX, I have yet to find a version that runs on whatever brand of hardware I choose like Windows. I realize that a lot of that has to do more with artificial restrictions put in place by Apple, Inc. than the OS itself but as an end user I look for an OS that allows me to do what I need on whatever brand of hardware I choose. For me this is more than enough to make up for the minimal effort needed to learn to use my computer safely and properly. So far, the best solution for me is Windows.
Just wait until it is released. The commonly known scripts “Vista sux” and “I choose XP over Vista any day” will have to be rewritten to .., you know what. However, it will be the same people posting.
Too bad osx is better in every way.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) in: Cupertino CA, 95014
@neodorian: I’m an MCSE, i like my windows sure, but I’ve always been a fan of dealing in a world where I don’t need to fuss with drivers. Imagine, no IRQs, no blue screens, hardware working with software as it should.
Time and again, people have chosen simplicity over options. (example iPod)
@ Neodorian, i hear ya on the hardware choice. i mean who wanna get stuck with something you really dont wont? I like both osX and vista, but i would choose windows over apple anyday. why? freedom of design.
Oh and for other folks who think macs dont need anti virus/spyware protection, think again. read articles in http://www.pcworld.com and u will see how bad any apple software is just like windows. oh and dont even mention firewall, windows firewall is way better than apples O/s X anyday.
Well the difference between Windows 7 and Mac OS X is that Windows 7 should be able to run the legacy software I still use regularly, on the machine I have now. (It runs fine on Vista, and Microsoft claims that anything that works in Vista should work in 7)
In any case, I’m not sure if I’m much of a fan of the new taskbar, it looks a bit large… I do like the Aero Peek feature, though.
Windows 7 looks cool. I’ve been playing with the beta all day.
Mac OS X sucks, for no other necessary reason than it is based on UNIX, which is archaic.
Your statement shows you know absolutely nothing about computers. But hey, it looks cool.
@gquaglia
I have an Master’s Degree in Computer Science, working on a Ph.D. I just hate Unix, anything related to Unix, and anything that looks like Unix. BTW, there’s a good reason why less than 10% of all computer users use a Unix-like OS.
I used Vista and loved it.
I use Mac OS X 10.5 now and love it.
Apple has inferior hardware than PCs.
The current iMacs have gradient and backlight issues on the 24″ model
and the 20″ has poor viewing angle…
That said… If MS puts a lot of work into this beauty, I will switch back in a heart beat…. GO MICROSOFT!
@Tyler: I can see why someone would choose such a thing the same way one chooses a game console. It’s just my personal opinion that installing a driver is a small price to pay for being able to custom design my system and get it for considerably less money than a similar machine from Apple (if for no other reason than they don’t make one in the range that I prefer). I wasn’t really trying to start this age-old debate. The different models have pros and cons and it’s up to users to make the decision. Some would pay extra for an automatic transmission rather than learn stick. I personally do not. I haven’t seen a bluescreen since I used Win98 and installing a driver when I build a new system is not much trouble. Many people choose simplicity over choice but the simplicity aspect is definitely overstated. Any decent computer with standard components (Core 2 Duo, decent RAM, good vid card, good mobo, etc.) should have no more issues running XP or Vista than OSX. I’ve done support on a few OSX machines in my day and they have their share of quirks and issues.
My comment wasn’t some fanboyish desire to talk shit on iEverything. It was just a response to the “Linux ruelz!!” comment before mine. My point was that choice is a good thing so that people can choose their priorities and that new and better OS releases are a good thing for us all.
Not going to lie, Windows 7 seems pretty good so far in limited tests.
@neodorian: I largely agree. Another thing about the money aspect of computers and the OS on it is that there are people out there who don’t want to pay money for an OS (like myself). I use Xubuntu and I may try the Windows 7 beta for fun, but I don’t expect to ever pay any company for the basic software that runs my OS again.
Zzzzzzzzz….
I cant believe theyre still trying to put out new windows. They should just update xp as far as the interface and the architecture will take em and then let it become an “os for old machines.” Then invsest into R&D in the linux field or come with something radically new. Not continually rehash ancient UI templates and rubbish…everything. ill still give em ‘09 but by ‘010….nahhhh, sorry.
I hate vista is a passion but the last windows 7 beta i tried was pretty good… dare I say.. fast??!?
Once again, in regards to Unix and Unix-like OS’s I offer the following quote:
“I would sometimes compare Unix to herpes — lots of people have it, nobody wants it, they got screwed when they got it, and if they could, they would get rid of it.”