I just upgraded the home computers to windows vista home premium and will miss out on a free upgrade as the Vista versions i got were OEM.

I find that Vista is working ok on the machines here but wondered what you guys thought of the up-coming Windows 7. I have had a look at the requirements and it still needs a min of 1gb of ram, it also looks similar to vista like it shares the same Kernel.

I have looked on microsofts website and its available from 22nd October, am i better waiting to see what bugs the new windows 7 has or is windows 7 something much better than vista.

Cheers

You can download the public RC direct from microsoft and install it to see how you get on. Its a trial version that will expire early next year, but it gives you a chance to try it on your hardware before buying. I am using it on my laptop and it seems faster than Vista.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

been running it for ages now and like it a lot

I had it and it played up alot.... just downloading the 64bit now, going to see how the new updates help it. it does look good though!

played up in what way leon? had absolutely no issues with it so far personally, i'm running 64bit and andrews running 32bit.

Downloaded RC version as soon as it was available, very impressed and no problems with hardware compatibilty (and my set up is a two to three years old!)

Just pre-ordered the retail version from Amazon (Home Premuim) at £45

I've got the RC here, but not put it on anything yet. Have a spare system coming up soon, so will try it on there.

Steve

Tried it, liked it and then the HD i'd installed it on died otherwise I think I'd still be running it!

I've been running the 64bit RC on my laptop for a couple of weeks now. It's basically Vista but sorted properly. Less annoying security messages but still better security than XP.

It's still more stressful on the machine than XP but less than Vista.

It picked up most of the hardware on my laptop except the flashcard reader, which is a bit of a pain. Some Vista 64 drivers will work with it but not all. I've found it to be about 50/50 so far.

I'd be happy to get a new PC with 7 on it but I wouldn't personally pay extra to upgrade an XP machine to it.

Just pre-ordered the retail version from Amazon (Home Premuim) at £45

How did you get it at that price, I looked and its £74.99 they must of put the price up - Mind you how come Microsoft are selling 7 for a lot less than when Vista or XP first came out they first went on sale for £150 + for retail versions.

Microsoft Home Premium E Windows 7 - Buy at PC World

wow that is cheap (have microsoft seen sense in lowering prices) is this an oem version though or retail.

retail

Microsoft Home Premium E Windows 7 - Buy at PC World

Yup! That's where I ordered mine from.

Looking forward to recieving it now although at least I will have chance to get things backed up by then and the PC won't be in use everyday for Uni work.

Phil

Have i heard this right...that you can use the windows 7 license on 2 home computers rather than just the one pc. What is the difference between an OEM version Compared to a Retail copy (thought they were the same)

cheers.

Before i order Windows 7 from the PC World site, does the copy get shipped from PC world or do you have to go through Microsoft to get the copy.

Before i order Windows 7 from the PC World site, does the copy get shipped from PC world or do you have to go through Microsoft to get the copy.

It's just shipped straight from PC World in October.

Just Pre Ordered Windows 7 online at pc world - Just wanted to ask if anyone else who has ordered theirs from PC World if they know when they take the money from your account, will they take it now or when they send out the goods in October.

I have noticed that Amazon and Tesco Direct have put the price up now to £79.99 and comet and currys have sold out.

I hope i get mine for £44.99 and that PC World dont turn around and say sorry we have sold out you now have to pay £79.00 as they seem the only place now that have it for £44.99

Who would of thought it buying a copy of a brand new full retail copy of a windows operating system for less than £50

Makes a change though

Assume it will be charged on or a couple of days before date of dispatch.

Have i heard this right...that you can use the windows 7 license on 2 home computers rather than just the one pc. What is the difference between an OEM version Compared to a Retail copy (thought they were the same)

cheers.

You can only install it on one PC at any one time.

You have heard about the Family Pack which may or may not get released in the UK, you get a pack of three licenses at a discounted rate.

OEM comes with no support and you shouldn't be able to transfer it from computer to computer. Retail can be re-installed as many times as you want (i think)

another thing is windows 7 doesnt come with windows mail - what are you guys using as a replacement is thunderbird just as good, also which browser is the best between these...

Internet Explorer 8 - Firefox or Google Chrome. I have heard good things about all 3.

Cheers

How to open a can of worms in one post!

No Windows Mail is no great loss - that's why it's not lasted long, it wasn't particularly well used I don't think. With the continuing improvements in webmail, most home users seem to be going that way, from what I've seen personally. That, combined with use of Outlook in all other cases. I played about with Thunderbird some years ago, upon its release and thought it was very good for a free product. Definitely worth looking at and playing with, if you still have a need for client-based email.

Browser wars - all three have their pros and cons. As they're all free, download them all and see which one suits you best. Personally I use Firefox predominantly, with some occasional Chroming thrown in

HTH,

Steve

I think i will go with firefox as i have heard good things about it, my son has it on his computer and he seems to think it runs a lot faster.

Just need to sort out my email now, if i went down the route of web based email would Googles (gmail) be a good option or hotmail/live.

All these decisions because of windows 7 lol

Just noticed aswell that the release candidate of windows 7 is the ultimate edition. I just chose to install it for now without losing my programs or settings as it will need a fresh clean install in 3 months.

If it's already being used, make sure Firefox is up-to-date on the other machine - v3.5 is now out and there's a few nice developments and tweaks in there Goto Help/check for updates, get v3.5 downloaded, then check again as there's another minor update.

Gmail - best by miles in my view. Nothing can hold a candle to it for sheer storage and management of email on the move. Especially now as I have it everywhere I go, seemlessly, with a Google phone

Steve

You'd have to be on crack to use anything but Firefox / Chrome and Gmail. There's a guy at work who's a big IE / Windows Mail proponent. He tried to demo it to me. It both sucked and blowed.