June 11, 2010 – Officially released to the global market in October last year and in Kenya early this year, this Microsoft offer is anything but earth shaking. In fact, it downright feels like Microsoft (MS) opened the old Vista bonnet, fixed the loose wiring, gave it a good scrub, and named it Windows 7.
Windows 7 should have been the most daring Microsoft offer yet, but there is no significant difference between it and Windows XP.
While Windows Vista drained too much of your computer resources in terms of space & speed, The 7 is versatile and works almost seamlessly.
However, Microsoft fails to match up to Apple’s Snow Leopard. It is still heavy, but as Windows goes, it’s almost as good as Windows 95, which in my view, at the risk of telling my age, is the best and most stable Windows platform to date.
Installing Windows 7 is not as hectic as the previous Windows operating systems. After installation and restarting your computer, you will be good to go. It even automatically uploads those annoying missing drivers that made you want to set your hair on fire.
Windows always had issues with its operating system. The script has almost been predictable. A new system is unveiled, the bugs become more than just apparent and then they are fixed. Because of wide usage and market penetration, hackers have been attracted to Microsoft systems, which have made Windows more vulnerable to malicious scripts and other security threats.
This has not been the case with Apple’s Macs whose systems tend to be more secure. Microsoft has tried to address this issue by introducing a self heal system of sorts, updates, patches and drivers that can be downloaded online. It would have been nice to see if the new system heals and automatically updates itself. In fact having used both Apple’s Snow Leopard & Microsoft Window 7 for the past five months, Window 7 is surprisingly impressive. Unlike Windows Vista that was probably the worse Microsoft operating system, too slow, too bulky and Windows XP which broke down often, the 7 just like Beemer 7series hasn’t crushed once. On occasion, I hard plugged in a flash memory card full of virus just to see if it would crush & burn but it didn’t only survive but persisted. Don’t try this on your machine though. I have a better than average antivirus but the in-built security protection mechanism that comes with Windows 7 goes along way. Of course you have to run constant updates every time you go online just for good measure.
But the best thing about Windows 7 is its size. It is small hence it runs fast literary can run on your smart phone, it is that tiny. A bit of the normal windows you know has changed pimped with new features but with a little practice you will find your way around.
Nonetheless, Windows 7 is still by far the more user friendly Windows. It is easier to find things and multitasking is much more delightful. It gives a sense of ownership. Both Windows Vista and XP slow down, and even freeze, when you run too many programmes. Vista enthusiasts would love Windows 7, as it takes away most of the clatter, and is far much lighter.
Since the office is as mobile as your laptop, setting up wireless called Wifi or running on normal networks called Broadband & other wired connection, Microsoft beats Apple hands-down with Windows 7. But there’s an obvious need to improve on the Control Panel that remains unchanged from the previous versions of Vista and XP. In this respect, the Snow Leopard tops.
That said, not Microsoft’s best invention, but you are stuck with it! Nearly half of the multinational firms surveyed indicated they are in the process of adopting Windows 7. Or will adopt it by end of year.
My last word: Get yourself broadband or Wifi internet connection, all computing is migration from your hard disk to the web. Don’t be left behind.
