Windows 7

Windows 7 is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and reached general retail availability on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.
Unlike its predecessor, Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista was not at the time. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements. Some standard applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not included in Windows 7; most are instead offered separately at no charge as part of the Windows Live Essentials suite.

Windows 7 is moving into the fore-front over the venerable XP. Why, you might ask?

New PC's typically come with Windows 7. As our PC's age, they become slower, and the new computers are faster, slicker and have new bells and whistles!
Windows 7 is more secure, against infections. Microsoft built Windows 7 with security in mind. The base platform is more secure, that the NT design, which is the under-pinning of Windows NT,2000 and XP.
Windows 7 is faster. With the 64 bit design, you can use more memory. Todays programs are larger and more powerful, and require more memory. These programs will run slower on XP.
Windows 7 is prettier. The graphics is better. You do not have be an expert to notice the "Eye Candy" in Windows 7.

Everything I'm hearing shows that Windows 7 is a winner! A common view is that Microsoft has finally got it right!

I'm still recommending that whatever you have now......"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" But, if you need to buy another computer, go with confidence to Windows 7. More people are realizing, that now is the time, and frequently, I recommend the change. I don't want my customers to spend money on repairs, when a new PC is more cost effective, even though it may cost me revenue!

I have upgraded my main computer now, and I've found usability features that I like. I have done a stand-alone version, so I can test my business desktop with Windows 7. I used an upgrade version, and will give you reports. It was a straight forward install, and runs Microsoft Office 2003 well. Performance is very good with 2 GB memory. I am still using 2 GB, and it performs ok. I am using Windows 7 64 bit, which can handle a lot more memory. Unfortunately, I did not choose Ultimate, which provides XP Mode, so I have to run my Quickbooks (older edition) on another XP computer.

Reference: Wikipedia. (2009). Computer. Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7