Windows 7

Probably because it is not sold in stores, therefor you can't pick it up because it is not there. Can't say about which version to get though, I'm still fine with XP for now, but I'd rather have a Mac!

I heard from a co-worker that Windows 7 is buggy. I think I would stick with XP until the bugs get worked out.

I just want my Apps to run.

I've used micro's back to the 8-bit, CP/M days.

As a rule I never manage to buy new software when the first "run" comes out. I typiclally wait and watch reviews by other people to make sure its the right purchase for me. I do agree if you are up and running and visiting your favorite sites without a problem you may not need an upgrade.

yea saw one of the commercials for it talking about how she can run many aps and not worry about it crashing and found my self thiking welcome to mac os 7

and yea you never buy the first version of anything no beta test in the world compares to a few hundred thousand people running it on less the optimum systems etc

Plus, I can only do one thing at one time.

Why require a computer to do multiple, multiple, dual-core things at once?

I downloaded and ran the Beta version of Window 7 when it first came out.  I also ran the Release Candidate version. 

It was more like an OS than a beta version.  7 is based on Vista, so if you have older hardware that isn't Vista compatible, I recommend dual booting your operating systems.

The nice thing about the whole process was the feedback option.  There really was alot of input from the consumer about how this new version of Windows should be.  I dual boot Vista Ultimate, and XP, and I can say my version of Vista blows XP away.

Besides loading faster, and loading drivers in parallel, the Windows Aero and Dreamscene content are nice, if you have the CPU and graphics card to back running it.

The beauty of multiple core processors is that you can divide the computer's tasks across different cores, so the PC runs more efficiently, and faster.  It's almost like having two, three, or four processors depending on what type of CPU you have.  The AMD Opteron series has six cores for the purposes of running a server.

Back to the original query, I would go with the Ultimate version.  For the difference in price, it has the most capabitlity, features, and will serve you quite well for years to come, as it can recognize 128 GB of system memory, and right now your average high performance motherboard, at the most, will recognize 32 GB.

For basic computing and home tasks, Home Premium would be the best choice.

What kind of PC related hobbies and interests does your boyfriend have?

Remember, XP will clone your display to a TV.  Unless you have a new flat panel TV, you will need XP to play games or watch movies on your TV in full screen if you have an old tube 30i TV.  Vista and 7 do not clone displays, they just extend the desktop, and you will still see the window bar at the top of the screen.

The other thing to consider is 32, or 64 bit versions of Windows.  64 bit versions are prepped for the future, but they require more, usually twice, the memory of a 32 bit OS.  Windows 7 requires at the VERY minimum 1 GB of memory to function properly.  That's for the 32 bit.  The 64 bit recommendation is at least 2 GB.

Home Premium will be all he needs.

There is no need to run 64-bit unless you have over 4GB of RAM.  64-bit doesn't make anything run "faster" than 32-bit  nor is it more secure.

SHC-Emmy said…

My boyfriend asked for Windows 7 for his Birthday - which version should I get? He has a desktop and a netbook running on XP, anything I should pay attention too?

 

Also, the pick-up in store option did not seem to be available on Sears.com - is there a reason why?

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If you need it for more than 1 PC, then I think you should buy the home premium family pack (for up to 3 PC's) has your boyfriend made sure his desktop and netbook will run on Windows 7? If yes, then the Family pack is currently selling for as low as $139.99 at Costco.com. Everybody is selling Windows 7 now, and I have checked my PC's, and will be buying the 3 family pack in a day or 2. I would rather have the Ultimate version of Windows 7, but I can;t afford to buy it for 3 PC's!

Not necessarily.

If you have 8GB of RAM memory, you PC will work slightly more streamlined.

Home Premuim does not afford XP compatibility mode, Professional and Ultimate do.

If you have programs, and hardware that are not Vista compliant, you will NEED to dual boot your OS versions if you choose to run Home Premium.

There are quite a few other features that Ultimate affords, like multiple languages, should you have a bilingual or more household.

BitLocker drive encryption is only available with Ultimate, as well as internet TV.

32 or 64 bit has no effect on speed, only on future expansion and RAM memory recognition.  Vista, and 7, are MUCH faster than XP loading, and logging in.  Trust me, I used to boot four OS versions on my PC before I trimmed down.

We don't know just what his preferences would be yet, or his hardware limitations.  Most likely, the netbook will not run W7 very well.

P.S.  If anyone is interested, I have Windows 3.1 on 5.25" floppies.  :-)

Back in July, I picked up Vista Ultimate from TigerDirect for $192.00 delivered to my door.  The offer I grabbed also came with a free 500 GB Seagate 7200.12 hard drive, so, realistically, I picked up Vista for roughly $130.00.

As it qualified for the upgrade, I receive W7 for $9.95.

Qualified students can pick up Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional for $30; Libraries and non-profit groups can get it for $9.00.

Students - http://www.win741.com/

Non-Profits/Libraries - http://www.techsoup.org

"Trust me", most of us can't afford a Mac.

That was a nice commercial I just saw.

Maybe I should overpay for the equivalent hardware I can get anywhere else (at least twice the price), and be hemmed into the same processor for the life of the motherboard, for the CPU is soldered to the motherboard, as is the AirPort (WiFi), and be stuck with Apple's PROPRIETARY software, expensive parts, and overpriced accessories.  I guess all I can do is maybe upgrade the memory, and the graphics card.

Why pay less, and use Windows Defender, and AVG to protect my PC for free? (And of course, not engage in naughty browsing ;-)  )

Sorry to go off topic, but I couldn't resist mentioning the Windows 7 bash on the part of Apple...

I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate on 2 of my laptops and a desktop. One laptop was running Win Vista and the others Win XP. REMEMBER: YOU CANNOT use the Windows 7 UPGRADE versions to upgrade from ANY version of Win XP. You must use the full version. When installing the full version you will lose all software you've installed on your pc, including files etc. You will also loose most of your hardware drivers installed on your pc. Here's where a problem arises. You will have to LOCATE and download any drives which are missing after the install of Win 7. I attempted to download lost drivers from the manufacturer of my pc's website and a message displayed stating the driver was not compatable with Win 7!!!! I now have to wait until the sound drivers etc. become available from the manufacturer. Point is: I'd delay installing Win 7 for a least 60 days. By that time most drivers for your pc should be available. You can use the upgrade version of Win 7 to upgrade from VISTA ONLY. You should have no problems with drivers etc since upgrades only update the Windows operating system and you don't loose your installed programs and drivers. Good luck.

This is not correct.  Windows 7 Upgrade can be purchased if you own a valid copy of Windows XP.  While you will not be able to upgrade the OS in-place (and you should NEVER, EVER, NEVER upgrade an OS -- always do a clean install) you will be able to do a clean install.

What do you mean by a clean install. Does that mean using the upgrade or the full version

The Windows 7 For Dummies book is out on the shelves of Barnes & Nobles, now.

currently i have vista is it safe to install window 7 home premium

download and run the windows 7 compatability program from Microsoft's web site. It will test your PC and tell you the answers and what any issues may be. Most likely, if you run Vista OK, 7 should be OK, but please run he test program first. Win 7 will install itself on a Vista PC and make a "copy" of the Windows Vista installation and all you data files into a new folder called "Old Windows". It will do its best to install everything into the Windows 7 from Vista. Once you are sre everything is OK, you can then delete the old widows folder, but hold on to it for a while, as it does have pretty much the entire old data on it, which from time to time, you may find needs to be copied over to Win 7 (maybe, maybe not).