Contents

1. 1 Introduction
2. 2 Windows 7 RC
3. 3 Installation
4. 4 System configuration
5. 5 Details
   1. 5.1 Driver compatibility
   2. 5.2 Program compatibility
   3. 5.3 Boot time and shut down time
   4. 5.4 Desktop UI
   5. 5.5 Resources
   6. 5.6 Experience index
   7. 5.7 Irritants
   8. 5.8 Security
   9. 5.9 Programs
   10. 5.10 Libraries
   11. 5.11 Stability
6. 6 Conclusion

Introduction

Microsoft (MS) is all set to release the not so hyped new operating system, the Windows 7 on October 22^nd 2009. The major difference this time is, it is released after 'extensive testing' by the users.

The hard lessons learned from Vista’s failure made MS not only to change the software but the whole attitude. Vista was heavy and resource hungry, but only gave cosmetic pleasure to the users.  The glassy UI went into pieces when many devices were made incompatible due to driver issues.

The first Vista service pack (SP1) was released after several months based on the user's feedback. It rectified some major issues on compatibility and power but could not regain the confidence.

Thus MS has aggressively developed the Windows 7 in a short span of time. An OS has two portions, the kernel and the shell.  The kernel is the core mainly related to the developers where as the shell is the user interface (UI) related to the users. The desktop, icons, menus are all part of shell. In Windows 7, the kernel is not totally new (still NT core technology) but the UI is totally revamped.

After Windows 7, MS is expected to release a completely new OS with new core technology and the codes are written from the scratch.

Windows 7 RC

Initially MS provided Beta version of Windows 7 to users with a validity period of 90 days. Later it offered Release Candidate (RC) version with a validity period of almost 1 year! I got a copy of Windows 7 RC three months back and here are my observations and experiences.

Installation

I downloaded the 2.4 GB ISO image file from MS website, and got a valid license (key) via my hotmail account. It took 6 hours to download it using my 1Mbps broadband connection. I burned the ISO image to a DVD which became a bootable installation DVD. Using this DVD, I installed Windows 7 RC to my D drive (C drive is having Windows XP). It took just over 45 minutes to install the OS and activate it online. MS provided the fully functional ‘Ultimate’ edition in this download which will work till May’10. It will shutdown every 2 hours during Jun’10 and will expire later.

System configuration

Toshiba Satellite Notebook L310, Intel Centrino, Core2 Duo T5550 (1.88 GHz) processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, Intel X3100 onboard graphics.

Details

Driver compatibility

Surprisingly, native MS drivers worked fine for all devices except sound card and touch pad. For these two devices I installed Toshiba Vista drivers and became OK. My first impression on Windows 7 was very positive because the major drivers issue is sorted out. When Vista was released, most of the internal devices (VGA, network, wireless etc) and external peripherals (printer, scanner) were not working.

Program compatibility

I installed Open Office 3.1, GIMP, Nero 9 essentials, Flash player 9, Adobe reader 9, Firefox 3.5 and several utilities provided by Toshiba (Notebook), Canon (scanner, digital camera), Sony (MP3 player), HP (printer). All worked fine except my Sandisk USB flash drive’s Cruzer U3 application. If there is a program compatibility problem, Windows 7 asks under which OS that program worked previously. We can select XP or Vista after which it re-installs the same program in compatibility OS mode. My U3 program worked fine after that.

Boot time and shut down time

Much faster than XP and Vista (Boot time 40 seconds, shutdown time only 10 seconds).

Desktop UI

1. Aero peek UI –very pleasant to the eyes with semi transparent windows.
2. Minimize windows –just shake on the title bar of any one of the opened windows, it minimizes all other opened windows.
3. Task bar thumbnails –easy to view the contents without opening a minimized window. Just place the mouse pointer over the task bar to get the thumbnail view. Very useful and time saving feature.
4. Jump lists –similar to ‘Recent documents’ but grouped according to the document’s native program. Optionally the documents can be pinned too.
   

5. One click desktop view –just place the mouse pointer at the extreme right bottom corner of the desktop to instantly view the desktop

Resources

1. CPU –Under Vista, the CPU usage range was 30 to 80%. Under Windows 7, it is 20 to 40%.
2. RAM –Under vista the memory usage was 45%, Under Windows 7, it is 25%.
3. Notebook Battery life –Under Vista 1 hour 20 minutes, Under Windows 7 1 hour 50 minutes (both in ‘balanced’ power plan).

Experience index

The overall experience index got reduced from 3.4 to 3.3 (from Vista ->Windows 7). But it is comparable for other sub systems.

Irritants

1. UAC –In Vista the UAC (User Account Control) alert popped-up frequently for even minor changes. In Windows 7, the alerts are minimal and customizable too.
2. Security alerts –no frequent distracting security alerts.
3. Cluttered taskbar icons –the not so frequently used icons are grouped and hidden under a single button.
   
   

Security

The included Windows Defender is not a full fledged antivirus program. It is aimed to protect from spy/malwares. MS updates this program almost everyday. MS also claims that the overall security is improved in Windows 7. We will only come to know its strength after the 1^st infection!

Programs

1. Internet Explorer 8 –Surprisingly the final version of IE8 included with Windows 7 works great. I had bitter experiences with IE8 beta version. The final version loads faster than Firefox and has unique features like web slices, suggested sites etc., The most important one is the security, IE8 ranked 1^st among all browsers.
2. Media player 11 – MP 11 opens in a cute square window. Other features are more are less same as MP10
3. Movie maker – This program is excluded from Windows 7. We have to download it from Windows Live Essentials website. We can make DVD video directly from this program. This program is totally revamped from previous versions.
4. Paint –This is the first time (after 20 years) I saw cool changes in this program. It has new layout and functions.
5. Math input panel –Use your mouse to create complex mathematical equations using this program.
   
6. Snipping tool –This screen/window capture tool never worked properly for me in Vista. I used MS Office OneNote’s screen capture utility but it can save only as PGN. In Windows 7, this tool works fine and we can save as PGN, JPEG etc.,
7. Calculator –Basic unit conversion, date calculation and 1000 separator features are very useful for me.
   

   

8. Solitaire game –I have to admit that this is my all time favorite PC game. The version included in Windows 7 really reduces fatigue and it tells when no more cards can be moved to the stack. So we can decently quit before reaching ‘0’ score!!
9. DVD maker –It can’t match Nero, but useful for basic DVD writing.
   
10. Sticky note –We can stick a note onto the desktop and keep track of ‘ToDos’ and ‘Not ToDos’. But my favorite one is Stickies v6.7a, a great freeware.

Libraries

This is a new and very useful feature in the Windows Explorer. We can put files from multiple locations in a single place called library.

Stability

In three months of usage, Windows 7 crashed only once.

Conclusion

Present Vista users will definitely like Windows 7 very much and it is worth to make the change. The XP users still have to upgrade their hardware first in order to use Windows 7. There is also an XP version of Windows 7 meant for low power Netbooks (using Intel Atom processor + 1GB memory), but no one gave a positive opinion about it.

Though the experience index got reduced a little and closing windows is not so smooth, my overall verdict for Windows 7 is GOOD!