Back when Windows Vista came out it was said to be Microsoft’s baby. However many people were skeptical and therefore didn’t go with the system at launch. Consumers are now skeptical of Windows 7 and rightfully so in light of what happened with Vista. Microsoft has definitely shaped up Windows 7 a lot better than then did Vista in both performance and looks. However that doesn’t change the fact that many businesses still are reluctant to switch to Windows 7 anytime soon.

This was just found in a recent survey where 1,000 IT administrators were surveyed. Out of those 1,000 around 60 percent stated that they were not planning to move to Windows 7 at this point. Surprisingly only 5.4 percent of those surveyed actually plan to move to Windows 7 this year. While another third of those surveyed plan to move to it by the end of 2010. This is a surprise from the original survey that had been taken previous where 60 percent of those who were surveyed planed to move to Windows 7 in the first year. Microsoft is expected to finish Windows 7 officially by the end of the month.

One huge impact on many of the IT administrator’s decisions has been the economy. Many professionals have said that they’ve saved a good amount of money skipping upgrades and operating system changes. With the economy in the shape it is even businesses are looking to save as much money as possible. This is most likely the main reason that so many businesses that were going to upgrade are holding off, at least for the time being. With many companies having the lack of time and resources to upgrade it’s expected that Windows 7 along with the IT world in general will continue to suffer for the time being.

Source: CNET

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Microsoft officially announced Windows 7 prices. Most of the retail pricing is below what Windows Vista was when it came out. However the thing that’s really catching eyes is the upgrade pricing programs. From Friday June 26th until Friday July 11th users will be able to get a huge discount on Windows 7.

If you buy a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium you can get it for just $49! If you need Windows 7 Professional you can get that upgrade for just $99! This is good for anyone who uses Windows Vista or Windows XP. The amazing part is this discount. When Windows 7 goes on sale on October 22 it will be $119 for Home Premium, $199 for Professional, and $219 for Windows 7 Ultimate. This means that if you purchase it now you can save over half on the upgrade.

If you’re planning on buying a full version of Windows 7 you may want to consider just buying a new computer as the full versions are set to be expensive. For Home Premium you can expect to pay $199, for professional it will be $299, and for Windows 7 Ultimate it will be $319. These prices seem outrageous compared to the $49 that you can get it at right now. For anyone who’s considering buying a computer you can do it anytime after the 26th. After the 26th anyone who buys a computer is eligible for Microsoft’s upgrade program in which Vista PC buyers will get a free copy of Windows 7. This may be the better route if you need a new computer and you want Windows 7.

Linux is still free though. Many users are still moving towards Linux because of that. Microsoft may want to think of a new strategy if it plans to stay where it is within the next decade.

Source: CNET

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Consumers are in a frenzy about Windows 7. Many are thankful that Windows Vista is going out of style already. Consumers are highly anticipating the release of Windows 7 after the Windows Vista fell flat on its face after its debut. Even though it has become a stable operating system, PC users are still ignoring Vista including businesses. However how many businesses will actually welcome Windows 7?

There have been many websites that have been predicting the downfall of Windows 7 before it has even been released. These studies suggested that this was because IT administrators prefer Windows XP and many businesses are worried about the credibility of Windows 7.

In a study done by Dimensional Research, Windows 7 is expected to be the biggest operating system for businesses. In fact their study shows that 46% of businesses are planning on upgrading or starting to upgrade before the end of the year and 80% of IT professionals plan to do it within 36 months!  If you’re not sure how big of a jump this is then you should know within the first year of XP’s release it only had 10% of the market share and only about 25% after two years.

Another study backs this up by asking the IT decision makers of 80 companies when they were planning on upgrade or if. These companies all have more than 1000 employees mind you. The results showed that half of them planned to upgrade to Windows 7 when it launches while 46% plan to do it by the end of the year. Also 55% of the companies plan to do what are known as system wide upgrades rather than simply upgrading when they need new PCs.

If these projections hold true then not only will Windows 7 be the most successful operating system with businesses at its debut, but it will also be a breathtaking record. The fact that so many IT professionals are willing to upgrade to Windows 7 shortly after it releases not only shows the potential for the operating system but the stability of it.

Source: ZDNet 

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It is official that government agencies won’t be able to upgrade to Windows Vista unless they have written consent of the Texas legislature. While the bill has yet to be finalized, it’s looking like this is what’s going to happen. The Texas government has decided to go this route for several reasons.

While Windows 7 is right around the corner, they claim that this isn’t the reason that they are not upgrading. One of the senators proposed this line of action because of the widely known problems of Windows Vista. Windows XP seems to be working just fine for the state and they’re trying to avoid spending more money than they already have. It’s estimated that Texas has already spent in excess of 6 million dollars in upgrades to Vista.

The rider not only covers purchasing the operating system but new computers that have Vista already installed on it. The rider actually states Microsoft’s name in it. Microsoft commented that they were surprised that the rider singled them out. While this is true, Microsoft does own 99% of the government market for operating systems. In fact the state agencies only have 1,500 Macs.

Microsoft also controls 89% of the operating systems used on computers in the public school system. While schools are exempt from the rider it’s unlikely that they’ll upgrade before Windows 7 is released.

Texas has been plagued with bad contracts when it comes to technology. The first incident was when the stated suspended a deal because of data loss. The second was only a few months later in December.

Although the bill has been defeated before in Texas and many other states it’s likely to pass this time because of the financial situation that Texas is in. In reality it only makes sense for the government to hold off on upgrading until Windows 7 is released.

Source: Computer World

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Many people may remember what happened the last time this situation occurred. Back in October of 2006 when Microsoft released its upgrade program from Windows XP to Windows Vista many people were left waiting a long time for their upgrades. Many consumers waited weeks or months for their upgrade DVD’s and many consumers were very upset at the time it took for them to be delivered.

Although there’s nothing official from Microsoft yet it’s speculated that there’s going to be a similar program for Windows 7 as well. The speculation is that the program will begin July first and run through January of 2010. However, some companies are jumping to release their own promotions similar to this.

For example, one company in Seattle is planning on allowing users to upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 for free. There are a few requirements for this such as you have to buy a PC that’s $1,000 or more and it has to have the 64 bit edition of Windows Vista on it. However, the deal overall is a good one as they will upgrade the PC to the 64 bit Windows 7 Ultimate version. The company is doing this to help boost PC sales as consumers are holding back buying PC’s until Windows 7 releases. The company is expecting it to be a break even exchange as their profit will go into giving consumers the new operating system for free however it will allow the company to get some exposure as well. Currently the company is offering the program through June 15th. The reason for the expiration date being set then is to avoid Microsoft’s upgrade program. The advantage for the consumers who buy through an upgrade program such as this is that they will avoid any type of delay that Microsoft’s upgrade program may have.

Source: Computer World

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Is there such a thing as a “memory overload” in PCs?

If my own memory serves me right, I think I’ve already mentioned around four to five times that the best upgrade that your PC could ever get is by adding a few RAM modules in it. It’s definitely better than changing your unit’s graphics card or even processor.

This doesn’t mean that you should drain all your coffers for RAMs that rival your hard drive in terms of size. Too much of anything is not good, and this holds true with PC upgrades. Your unit’s motherboard may be able to handle 40GB of memory, but your OS may not.

The 32-bit editions of Windows XP and Vista cannot hold or use memory in excess of 4GB. It would be a waste if you’ll insist on attaching extra RAM modules on your unit if it’s running under Microsoft operating systems that are built on a 32-bit architecture. Unless your PC is running on a 64-bit version of XP or Vista, don’t increase your computer’s cranial capacity to more than 4GB.

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HP unleashed its highly hyped nettop PC, the mini-Q 2030. Dubbed by a few tech enthusiasts as the next big think in small computing, the mini-Q has specifications a little advanced than mini workstations

The mini-Q is run by Intel’s 1.6GHz dual-core Atom 330 processor and 2GB of DDR2 RAM. While most small laptops have a hard drive of 80GB, this one packs 160GB 7,200 rpm.

The mini-Q laptop also has a dual-layer DVD burner, four USB 2.0 ports and two PS/2 ports. It comes preloaded with Windows Vista.

One of the things that separate mini-Q from its counterpart is its weight. The mini-Q weighs around 4.4 pounds without the monitor and its peripherals.

Alongside the unveiling of the mini-Q 2030 is the mini-Q 2020. Another new computer that runs on single-core Atom 230 rated at the same 1.6GHz, half the RAM at 1GB. It uses Windows XP.

HP’s mino-Q 2030 will be available in Taiwan for $386. The lesser edgy mini-Q 2020 is tagged at $296.

Source: Electronista

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The teaser’s out. Microsoft has recently released the beta version of Windows Vista’s successor, Windows 7. I’ve yet to get a hold of a copy, though, so what I’ll be passing on to you right now are second hand information from the developers themselves.

While Windows 7 will definitely sweep Vista off the shelves, it is not exactly a whole new different OS. Rather, Redmond sees Windows 7 as a refinement of its predecessor. The world’s leading OS maker promises their new product to be more user-friendly, or as Bill Gates put it, more user-centric. The Microsoft boss added that the new operating system would perform more efficiently at less power and without taxing the system too much. In other words, what Gates is really trying to say is that Windows 7 is everything that Vista is not.

It’s a fact that many haven’t migrated yet from XP to Vista. So the question now is, should they wait for Windows 7’s release? Or should they jump ship and ride instead on Vista until the next boat arrives? I suggest that they wait. Microsoft will eventually convince everybody to change OS again, so I guess it’s better to wait. The expected release date of the new OS is sometime in 2010, although many expect it to be introduced commercially by the second half of next year. Either way, the wait won’t be that long.

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If you think that this is the ultimate insult to Vista Ultimate, then you need to think again. That joke has already been played even before the new Microsoft OS was released, so its scathing effect has already been blunted. Redmond was also expecting remarks to this effect, too. What it didn’t expect, though, is for PCs to be still running on XP long after Vista has been released.

Indeed, persisting consumer skepticism, along with claims that Vista Ultimate performs below par compared to its predecessor, is the ultimate slap to its authors. Snide remarks on Vista’s price tag are nothing compared to comments as to its real value.

I don’t know how long PC users would continue to doubt or question the need to shift to the new Microsoft OS. XP’s not getting any younger, though. Time will definitely come when all PCs will ultimately be under Vista Ultimate’s realm…that is if a new Microsoft OS won’t jump over it.

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Are you unhappy with your current operating system?

Changing the program that calls the shots in your computer is not as simple as installing and uninstalling regular applications in your PC. Aside from the fact that an OS is probably the largest tenant in your hard drive, every program’s existence also depends on it. Don’t get me wrong, though. I’m not discouraging you from changing OS. All I’m saying is that there are many things to consider before you decide to make an upgrade or make a switch.

Is Your Hardware Tough Enough?

The first thing that you have to consider is your hardware. If the unit you’re currently using is being powered by a Pentium II processor and is still running on Windows 95, then you should shelve your plans of installing Vista in it. Units that are more than two years old probably do not have the strength and stamina to carry Vista on their shoulders. Adding a few memory modules and overclocking your processor might do the trick, though. However, you may just be speeding up its demise by doing so as overclocking could fry or wear out the chip and the motherboard.

Will Your Old Apps Work?

The second thing that you have to consider is your existing applications. There are some programs that might not work with the new (or old) operating system. If you’re bent on keeping your old applications, make sure that there are drivers available for download that would make them compatible with the OS that you intend to install. You could check the Web site of your software’s manufacturer for drivers or patches. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of rummaging through links or pages for the driver that you need, then you may want to install or subscribe to a Web service that does this dirty job for you.

Oil and Water

Another thing to consider is compatibility. I guess by now you already know that Macs and PCs are like oil and water – they simply don’t mix. This is very important especially if you’re constantly trading files or collaborating with somebody on a particular application. It would be pointless to have an OS which would not allow you to do tasks with others. You’ll be a virtual untouchable in school or in the office if you use an OS that is incompatible with the one that the majority uses.

While an operating system is classified a program, it’s in a class that is separate and distinct from all the other applications. Your computer’s performance depends on the OS that it is running on. So choose wisely.

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