Windows 7 Beta Review

[n!Cola]

More like preview, but w7 looks very promising to me

Conclusion

Windows 7 is certainly a huge improvement over Windows Vista and other versions. I can only describe it as having the really neat features and eye-candy of Vista and the stability of Windows XP. It's very clear that Microsoft's main goal with Windows 7 is performance and stability. Microsoft has also made it clear that the system requirements to run Windows 7 is very light. You will be able to run Windows 7 on the same systems that Windows XP runs on and you won't need advanced computers with 4GB of RAM and 4Ghz processors, which is a huge break in tradition. Usually with each operating system release, Microsoft adds to the system requirements, but this time, Microsoft is cutting them back.

Windows 7 is a big step towards having an operating system that has a lot of neat and useful features, but also has rock-solid stability and performance at the same time. When Microsoft releases this beta to the public, there's no doubt there will be a lot of buzz and I think a lot of praise as well.

http://www.techreviewsource.com/content/view/227/1/

Beta1 full ISO's are all over net by now

[cegras]

Looks like we're progressing towards a light weight, stable, and efficient OS that does what it needs and can have functionality added on. I may soon purchase my second legitimate copy of Windows ..

[bro20000]

Windows 7 is a massive improvement over vista! Got my copy today of windows 7 beta 1 build 7000

[Carfax]

Oh well, I never upgraded to Vista because of it's slower gaming performance, so hopefully Windows 7 will change things.

[Boogerlad]

anyone think it's good eneough to replace xp x64? i'm getting it to test, but am not sure if it will replace my main os. Anyone have any opinions?

[RVWinkle]

Everything I know about xp x64 says it's terrible. Migrating to Windows 7 is inevitable but the main question will be if we have to wait for a service pack to be released. The main thing I'm hoping for is that they emphasize the 64 bit version over 32 bit because it's time to move on.

[RPGWiZaRD]

Oh well, I never upgraded to Vista because of it's slower gaming performance, so hopefully Windows 7 will change things.

Unfortunately that's where you'll get most disappointed, so far everything I've compared W7 to Vista with, the difference is usually less than 1%. Maybe the case is different with ATI cards, dunno. But when DX10 and later on DX11 is used properly, the games can run faster than they would in DX9 / XP when IQ is same in both versions but I doubt Vista/W7 ever will be able to improve the performance over the DX9 titles. It's not the NVIDIA's drivers to blame, they cannot how matter they optimize the drivers if changes to the OS that need extra code execution or changes to APIs etc, remain same performance unless on purpose drop XP drivers and only improve Vista/W7 drivers.

[firebane]

anyone think it's good eneough to replace xp x64? i'm getting it to test, but am not sure if it will replace my main os. Anyone have any opinions?

No.

Everything I know about xp x64 says it's terrible. Migrating to Windows 7 is inevitable but the main question will be if we have to wait for a service pack to be released. The main thing I'm hoping for is that they emphasize the 64 bit version over 32 bit because it's time to move on.

XP x64 is a great OS and a reason why lots of people use it.

[Warboy]

Had my copy for 5 days now. Whoever has a eye on my photobucket would know that.

[Nasgul]

Oh well, I never upgraded to Vista because of it's slower gaming performance, so hopefully Windows 7 will change things.

Really? Not me, I installed Vista and I'm enjoying the games the same, nothing different or slower. And I'm never going back to XP.

As for W7? I can't wait to get it, I like Vista and if W7 is going to be an improvement over Vista, then I'm certainly going to get it when it gets released.

[FischOderAal]

Sounds too good to be true... It's better to stay skeptical than being disappointed in the end. They promised much with Vista as well.

But: instead of reducing the requirements I'd rather want a heavily improved GUI. That's the biggest construction site imho. The requirements are OK if you ask me. It's not as if our PCs haven't improved since XP was introduced...

I had no reason whatsoever to be disappointed with the performance of Vista.

[Ket]

OMG.. please don't make me start listing whats wrong with Vista..... perhaps a better way to do things is to list whats RIGHT with Vista, thats very easy, NOTHING. W7 on the other hand looks much improved, something thats genuinely a step forward and cuts back on all that fusking bloat.

[moiraesfate]

See... here's the problem... no matter how good Windows 7 might be, it will still cost about $500 when it first comes out which means its out of most people price range so its scratched off the list. I simply can't afford it.

[firebane]

Something I don't like about Vista and Windows 7:
- Vista has removed the old classic XP login style
- Windows 7 has removed classic start menu

[moiraesfate]

*blinks* There's no start menu? wth?

[firebane]

*blinks* There's no start menu? wth?

no theres a start menu.. you just don't have a choice anymore (or so it seems) to have the "classic look" back in the good times of Win2k.. I prefer it more.

[moiraesfate]

Oh that makes more sense. Yeah I like the old look too. I always change it on any computer I'm on. Though my work computer won't let me which drives me batty. lol It has a lock to prevent user changes. The most I can do is save documents.

[cliffy]

Installed Windows 7 and i love it. So far the only things that haven;t worked for me is Mcafee enterprise and 3d Mark 06. Really liking the task bar and being able to pin programs to it. Its possible i am imagining things but so far it feeks alot more responsive than Vista. Just waiting to get my hands on the x64 version now.

[itznfb]

See... here's the problem... no matter how good Windows 7 might be, it will still cost about $500 when it first comes out which means its out of most people price range so its scratched off the list. I simply can't afford it.

vista home premium 32/64 oem was $109 the day it was released. ultimate was $180. i would imagine 7 will be similar.

[cliffy]

Something I don't like about Vista and Windows 7:
- Vista has removed the old classic XP login style
- Windows 7 has removed classic start menu

The clasic theme is still there.

Right click desktop
Personalise
Ease of access themes
2nd one along = windows clasic

[Dark79]

vista home premium 32/64 oem was $109 the day it was released. ultimate was $180. i would imagine 7 will be similar.

I think the "Most people" that moiraesfate was referring to don't even know what "OEM" is and would most likely be dealing with the retail versions which cost twice as much.

[firebane]

The clasic theme is still there.

Right click desktop
Personalise
Ease of access themes
2nd one along = windows clasic

You failed to read what I said :P

I said classic "menu" not "theme"

[Xiphos]

I hope they don't drag out the release of W 7 too long :p

[sjg0]

Hey my dad has a MSDN subscription and I have been wanting to try out Windows 7 but he says he cannot find the Beta(Build 7000) anymore.

I think I heard someone mention that MS pulled the download because it got leaked to Torrent sites or something? Is this true?

I would really like to try it out and if anyone has any info I would appreciate it. Oh and I dont want to get it from a torrent site either because I believe you still need a key.....

On the Operating systems note:
Vista64> XP 64> XP 32> Vista 32> Linux> Mac
Personally, I wouldnt pay the full $180 or whatever for Vista, but if you have the opportunity to upgrade I would say definitely go for it. SP1 Improved things A LOT. FYI: Install SP1 first, then go ahead and install drivers and such(Jeeze whats all this bad Vista hype? Dont hold a grudge guys, Its better now.).

[HuffPCair]

Vista 64 is better then XP 64 the only reason everyone likes XP 64 is cause they are used to it and not willing to try something different. Most people that have dissed Vista are the ones that have not yet tried it and are trying to act like they know or are the ones using old old stuff and that is not the fault of MS it is the fault of the people that made whatever you are trying to use.

Vista and performance specially in gaming I have not seen any difference at all. Everything I have thrown at Vista has worked. Everytime I have ran into something wrong it is because of the company that made that not MS.

I have the new beta 7000 for windows 7 and I love it. The taskbar took me a bit to get used to but after I did it is amazing and compact and I love it. I also love the features for Windows media player. I have ran into a few bugs but that is why it is called a beta there are going to be bugs. I just hope they fix them before the final product. So for the people dissing this it is because you do not know. Specially on Windows7, but Vista is a very good OS just a bit heavy and that is what W7 is fixing.