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Windows 7 . CHECO Fall, 2009 Gary Bardsley. Windows 7. Previously Codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna Is it Vista Lite ? Is it a Mac wannabe? Do they finally have it right? How much new hardware, RAM, server, or other resources will it take? When, if ever should we migrate?.
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Windows 7 CHECO Fall, 2009 Gary Bardsley
Windows 7 • Previously Codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna • Is it Vista Lite? • Is it a Mac wannabe? • Do they finally have it right? • How much new hardware, RAM, server, or other resources will it take? • When, if ever should we migrate?
History of Windows 7 • Pre-order upgrade offer • June 26th to July 11th (does the short window make you angry?) • $49.99 for Home Premium • $99.99 for Professional • Disks to arrive on Oct. 22, 2009 • Retail prices • $119.99 Home Premium • $199.99 Professional • $219.99 Ultimate (now are you angry?)
Planning • If you buy a Vista machine between June 26 and January 2010……. • Free Windows 7 upgrade! • Load DVD, type code, wait 45 minutes (beta) • If existing 32 bit XPorVista machine……. • Do clean install (incompatible drivers and apps): • Restore all data and re-install applications • Big question, how long does this take?
Planning (cont’d) • http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9137958/Microsoft_In_place_Windows_7_upgrades_can_take_up_to_20_hours?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2009-09-14 • http://blogs.technet.com/chris_hernandez/archive/2009/09/02/windows-7-upgrade-performance.aspx
Windows 7 system requirements: (Microsoft) • 1 GHz+ 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor • 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) • 16 GB hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit) • DirectX 9 graphics device, WDDM 1.0 or higher driver • Internet access • Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware • Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V
Caveats from Reviewers • Older machines may not have the horsepower to run W7 effectively • Especially 32 bit machines • The good news - most PCs in the last three years are 64 bit machines • The bad news - many app developers haven’t provided 64 bit versions • Just like Vista, you need at least 4 Gig of RAM (minimum, for 64-bit) to run well • Expect some incompatibilities with apps and drivers – less than with Vista
Raves and Rants • Raves: “Solid, fast-performing, stable operating system that appears to be just about fully baked and ready for prime time”Preston Gralla, Computerworld • “A pleasure to use.” Mossberg • Rants: “There’s little in Windows 7 that IT shops will find compelling. Most of the new features are targeted squarely at consumers, which is the same formula that got Microsoft into trouble with Vista.” Randall C. Kennedy, Infoworld
New Features • Taskbar – new to beta version, (can you say “OSX Dock”?) • Larger, pinnable thumbnail icons or buttons. • Enriched Quick Launch with ability to switch apps. • Only one representation on the taskbar for multiple instances of an application
New Features • Aero Peek – expands Vista’s graphical user interface. Hovering over a thumbnail peeks at its window on the desktop. • Select Desktop window & all others go to “glass” • Aero Snap – allows two documents to be automatically placed side by side for comparison purposes
New Features (cont’d) • Jump lists: • Includes launch shortcut, MRU or MFU list options. I.e. users would probably select Word to use MRU list, IE to use MFU. • Start menu changes from Vista remain • Power button defaults to shutdown, etc. • Network and Wireless connectivity improvements claimed • Windows backup has moved from being “one of the worst applications ever shipped with an OS to something useful” Gralla
New Features (cont’d) • Instead of everything in Documents folder, Libraries created by content type • Multitouch screen navigation (think iPhone) Mossberg • Same underlying architecture as Vista, many of its flaws corrected • Compatibility with hardware and software improve • Faster across the board
Mossberg screen shot from his review – notice he was running Windows 7 on a Mac
A Vista Favorite • The UAC (User Account Control) from Vista has been retained • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxOIebkmrqs&feature=related
New Features (cont’d) • UAC has been greatly reduced and tamed • Default prompts only when a program tries to make changes to your PC. • Four selectable levels of notification: • Never notify • Only when programs try to make changes • Always notify • Always notify and wait for response (how is this different than above?)
Consensus from Reviewers • Evolutionary, not revolutionary upgrade • Links with Windows 2008 Server R2 • Much more polished upgrade than Vista • No significant security improvement • May need to re-think how you support the upgrade?
Consensus from Reviewers (cont’d) • Little benefit to IT, significant $$ & effort to install on XP PCs, easier on Vista PCs • UI improvements (= training) & speed increase will create pressure from users • Some apps: (MovieMaker, Mail, Calendar, Photo Gallery, Address Book, etc.) no longer bundled – but are available from a free Windows Live download
Quick Survey & Discussion • How many institutions are currently testing Windows 7? • What do you think about it so far? • Do you think you will install it? • If so when? • If not, why not? • What concerns or advantages do you see?
Questions and Comments? Thank you!