Coulda, woulda, shoulda -- is Windows 7 right for you?
Editor's note: The recent release of Windows 7 has computer-minded people excited -- and the average consumer confused. In a multipart series, local resident and technology journalist Chris Spera will attempt to clear the air surrounding Windows 7.
The release of Windows 95 14 years ago was the last big MS Operating System launch event, until now.
Windows 7 was released to the public on Oct. 22 with a huge media event in New York. But in order to create consumer excitement even here in the Fox Valley, Microsoft has partnered with marketing company HouseParty.com to bring a series of individual get-togethers that hone in on what Windows 7 means to the average computer user.
These Windows 7 Launch Parties, hosted by everyday people like you and me, are wrapped around the idea that the host speaks to one of four specific party themes:
• Setup with Ease: How easy is it to setup the new operating system?
• Photopalooza: Easily manage your photos
• Media Mania: Easily manage music, movies and more
• Family Friendly Fun: Social Networking made easy
I hosted a Windows 7 Launch Party on Sunday about "Setup with Ease" as a representative for the Aurora/Oswego area. Everyone at my party wanted to know if the new operating system was right for them. Will their computer run it? Will their computer's performance be better? Will they like the experience? Will they have to buy new hardware components, or will a new PC be a better way to go? These are all excellent questions.
In determining if Windows 7 is right for you, you need to ask yourself a few questions about your computer:
How old is your computer?
If your PC is 5 years or older, and a new computer is not in your budget, you might want to consider a PC upgrade, or simply sticking with your existing OS.
Is upgrading your existing PC's hardware to Windows 7 minimums or better worth it?
Only you can answer this question. In many cases, it's a financial issue at heart. However, more drive space and more RAM was bad for any computer. Given the economy and that new PCs can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 for an "entry" level system, you're going to have to consider the economics before you take that plunge. Windows 7 has the following System Requirements:
• 1gHz or faster 32bit/64bit processor.
• 1GB of RAM for 32bit processors.
• 2GB of RAM for 64bit processors.
• 16GB of available hard drive space.
• A graphics card with a DirectX 9 compatible processor and WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.
A complete list of system requirements, including those for specific Windows 7 features, can be found at the System Requirements Page on Microsoft's Web site.
Do I really have to have the minimum system requirements, or can I skimp a bit?
Yes, because even though you may be able to get Windows 7 to run on less than the minimums, you may not be happy with its performance. The OS really does need the bare minimums (especially processor and RAM); and the more it has, the better it will perform. Skimping in this area is really a roundabout way of saying, "I'd like to use the new OS but don't want to pay for a new PC or a series of upgrades." If that's your situation, you're going to disappoint yourself and blame the OS for performing poorly on "substandard" equipment.
Christopher Spera of Oswego has been a technology journalist for about 15 years. He has been part of Microsoft Windows' technical beta teams for Windows 95, 98/98SE, ME, 2000 and XP. Visit his blog at iTechGear.org.
