Windows 7

Rich O Brien · 22 Oct 2009, 22:07

compared with XP it uses alot of RAM, but XP could in theory operate on just 64mb of RAM. It's use of memory and processing compared with Vista is a big change.

I like to use Virtual Desktops, and found under Vista this led to lots of slowdowns. But now there's a definite improvement.

I currently have iTunes streaming music on one desktop, SU7 on another, transferring 80GB of music with Teracopy on another and Vuze running on the last. There's a slight change in speed but still working away in SU7 and happy as a pig in sh*t

solo · 22 Oct 2009, 22:12

Great news, I heard a story about windows 7 being installed on a Macbook pro and it multi-tasked and bench-marked faster than Snow leopard, even though the machine was spec'd and optimised for Snow leopard windows 7 was smoother and faster.
Great news, kinda like the win 95 days then.

Now I've started something..

remus · 22 Oct 2009, 22:35

Got the installer sitting on my desktop as we speak, thinking if upgrading over the weekend so i'll let you know how i get on

pav_3j · 23 Oct 2009, 00:21

i got an upgrade code with my new computer, i realise now i should have done it before installing all my software, but if i do the upgrade do i lose all my software/settings?

feel like such a fool for not doing it earlier.

pav

solo · 23 Oct 2009, 00:44

Luci, you can upgrade without losing anything.

john.warburton · 23 Oct 2009, 07:08

A mate of mine has been testing Windows 7 for some time.

His view is that Windows 7 is in reality nothing more than Vista SP 3 and that Microsoft are taking the p*** by charging for it as a new OS.

He also says that the consensus amongst many testers is that while initial install produces a much better performance, after configuring the options and adding anti-virus and other essential features, and applications, the difference in performance with Vista is actually quite negligible.

honoluludesktop · 23 Oct 2009, 08:50

To me, the best thing about Win7 is its support for legacy software, and older peripheral hardware.

olishea · 23 Oct 2009, 10:47

Ahh John Warburton.....you come from Wakefield! I went to school there; QEGS, you may know it?

I have windows 7 ultimate running on my mac and while it does initially seem more stable than vista.....I cant help but think its pretty much the same.

They need to start fresh and reinvent.

remus · 23 Oct 2009, 11:19

Day 1
Not going too badly so far. Only minor annoyance during installation is that i had to start clean as i was running vista ultimate, and for whatever reason you cant 'upgrade' to a 'lower' version of windows 7. Really needed a clean install, though, so might as well get it out the way now.

install itself was very easy, just click and leave it whirring away for an hour or so and hey presto.

Now to reinstall everything.

pav_3j · 23 Oct 2009, 15:09

@solo said:

Luci, you can upgrade without losing anything.

thanks pete.

pav

john.warburton · 23 Oct 2009, 15:40

@olishea said:

Ahh John Warburton.....you come from Wakefield! I went to school there; QEGS, you may know it?

Indeed I do know it, though I'm not originally from Wakefield and certainly did not attend those hallowed halls

My first proper job as an architect was just across the road, though, at David Lyons Associates (as they were then known) on St John's North.

olishea · 23 Oct 2009, 17:13

haha small world

I saw your website...the mamas and papas warehouse.....is that at the side of the railway line? If so I used to go past it everyday on the way to that god forsaken school! I used to watch it being built!

Ecuadorian · 23 Oct 2009, 20:01

Win7 arrived here yesterday, but there is still no pricing info. They did not bring the Ultimate version, so Win 7 Professional 64-bits is the highest I'll be able to get when I decide to take the plunge. When I tried to install the RC1 weeks ago it kept nagging about missing drivers for my LG optical unit (only two months old), so I'm not convinced yet.

BTW: See Linus Torvalds giving a thumb up to Windows 7:

http://picasaweb.google.com/cschlaeger/JapanLinuxSymposium#5395358413061926434
Of course, Linus was just joking.

Anyway, now for some fun at the expense of Apple's desperation...
http://gizmodo.com/5388126/apple-graciously-welcomes-windows-7-with-ad-triptych/

Archibum · 23 Oct 2009, 21:36

Has anyone here installed the 64bit on a macbook pro? i hear its a little work.

Think I'm going to download it tonight. High five to $30 student discount!

solo · 23 Oct 2009, 21:51

Kyle, there is a site where a bunch of guys installed it on a mac pro (I will try find it)
Good news is that it runs better than Snow leopard on a Mac.

Archibum · 23 Oct 2009, 23:19

Sweet. Thanks a bunch

Yeah i need it for the autodesk products. I'm excited to have two good OS's to work with

john.warburton · 24 Oct 2009, 08:05

@olishea said:

haha small world

I saw your website...the mamas and papas warehouse.....is that at the side of the railway line? If so I used to go past it everyday on the way to that god forsaken school! I used to watch it being built!

Yep - we have phases 3 and 4 in for Planning right now. Desperately need that job to go ahead, work is very tight right now.

kwistenbiebel · 24 Oct 2009, 09:35

I can't be bothered upgrading from Vista (x64) to Windows 7.
All works at it should so why would I want to change OS.

The only reason to upgrade for me is when I would buy a new PC.
I am not going to tangle with all the installed stuff on my box because Microsoft says it's better...

Rich O Brien · 24 Oct 2009, 15:45

Windows 7 Day 3

Now I've pretty much all the software I need and use installed I can really make an honest assessment. So far there has only been one issue that I've noticed. The lightscribe function on the DVD drive is not recognized. But I only used this once so I'm not concerned

With everything installed and the system tray a little more active there has been a dip in speed compared with just Windows installed.

It still manages moving or copying large files alot better than any other version. The battery is definitely operating longer than with Vista.

Truth be told I'm a little unimpressed after all the hype. Sure it wipes the floor with Vista in terms of hogging resources. But it's still Vista with an XP mode tagged on.

I'm gonna trial it for a month and if after that it still doesn't seem impressive I'm migrating back to XP 64bit SP3.

chango70 · 25 Oct 2009, 00:13

Just upgraded. I doesn't recognize my card reader... (Magically it does now!)