Why 7 could be Microsoft's Lucky Number

BANGALORE, INDIA: Tomorrow is when Microsoft will formally launch the next version of Windows, dubbed Windows 7. A majority of current Windows users still use XP, which is getting to be 9 years old now.

After the launch of Windows Vista, many had no option but to buy PCs pre-loaded with Vista. Some paid extra to ‘downgrade’ to Windows XP. The main issues with Vista? Widespread reports of sluggishness, frequent hangs and crashes, incompatibility with certain software and hardware. Vista was basically a troublesome experience for someone who just wanted it to ‘work’.

Windows 7 is a result of consumer feedback

Somewhere down the line, Microsoft lost touch with consumers. And they’ve worked hard to correct those shortcomings. Windows 7 was available for thousands of Beta testers worldwide since January this year. And Microsoft listened to what they had to say. Many bugs have been ironed out – this time before the official release of the product! 

According to several PC vendors, market acceptance of Windows 7 is already high – much higher than it was for Vista. This is good news for the new PC market and good news for Microsoft. To quote most reviewers of the pre-release versions; “Windows 7 is what Vista should have been”.

Skip Vista target Windows 7 says Gartner

And Windows 7 really is a “make-or-break” situation for Microsoft, especially after the Vista debacle. But Wired summed it up really well – “Although Windows 7 will be familiar to XP users, fundamentally it’s different enough to make you change the way you think of Microsoft.”

Here’s why I think Windows 7 will encourage thousands of PC users to spend their money to upgrade.

* Speed - Windows 7 will be noticeably faster on the same hardware. Windows 7 will enable faster start up times, increased responsiveness and quicker applications

* Compatibility – Windows 7 has lower hardware requirements and is more efficient. This means that it will work well with older machines & even netbooks.

Windows 7 is an old technology says Apple

* Smooth & intuitive – For a Windows user, the basics of operation, shortcuts and application compatibility remains the same. The advantages add on from there.

* Great new features and look – Windows 7 is prettier than Vista. Plus you get great new features like aero peek, aero snap, aero shake (to handle multiple open applications & windows better), easier home networking and improved automatic device install

* Better battery life – You’ll get better battery life with notebook PCs since Windows 7 makes more efficient use of system resources.

* Hardware advantages - Windows 7 will offer a larger boost in performance with newer multi-core CPUs. It also includes support for up to 256 core CPUs.

* Increased security – The new Windows Action Center integrates security and maintenance into one package. It works. And it doesn’t interfere like Vista’s much-maligned User Account Control (UAC).

* New Media - Native support for Blu-Ray, ISO image burning and new media formats and codecs to fully take advantage of the digital age.

Will businesses upgrade?

This is a particularly tricky question. It takes time to deploy an operating system on a large scale and many decision makers will be hesitant of shaking up a current system on XP that “works” and has nothing wrong with it. Even so, it makes sense to consider that:

* XP is good, but now after almost 9 years, it’s beginning to show its age. It cannot last forever.

* Rather than upgrade hardware, companies can spend the same amount to upgrade to Windows 7; they’ll get faster performing PC plus all the benefits of the newer OS. Of course, this probably only applies to PCs less than 3-4 years old. Beyond that, it doesn’t really make sense to stretch the hardware.

* Windows 7 offers much improved security plus certain versions will offer a Windows XP mode; a complete Windows XP SP3 running in virtual mode.

* There will be inevitable compatibility issues with XP as it gets even older, plus discontinued support from Microsoft.

* To sum up, when corporations held off on the upgrade from XP to Vista earlier, weren’t they waiting for something better? Well, it’s here!

Some big hurdles for Microsoft

Has Microsoft done everything in its power to make Windows 7 a success? Here are some areas where Microsoft will face some challenges with Windows 7.

* Windows 7 does not offer a very smooth transition from XP – there is no upgrade option, only a fresh install. Your data remains though, thanks to a built in tool called Easy Transfer. In its favour, Easy Transfer also helps you migrate most of your programs and personal settings.

* There could be possible employee training issues and network management issues for corporate and bulk licensing customers.

* The economic slowdown will hamper upgrades. With the current scenarios of cautious CapEx refresh, and many companies struggling at the tail end of a recession, is it the right time for Windows 7?

* Fears about Vista still cast a shadow on business users of Windows. Although positive reports about Windows 7 post launch will help, the turnaround will take time.

* Chinese pirates have already hijacked the launch of Windows 7. According to Reuters, bootleg copies of different versions of Windows 7 with authentic-looking packaging sell for as little as US$ 3 in Chinese computer markets.

* A lot hinges on the prices. In all probability, there will special upgrade prices (if you are using a licensed version of Windows XP or Vista) in addition to the full license prices. Additionally, Microsoft may offer family editions (with 3 licenses in one pack at heavy discounts) and special prices for students. But prices for the full versions are likely to be high, which is a problem.

I think it’s safe to assume that businesses will not immediately switch to Windows 7. In the long run, yes. Right now there aren’t many tangible benefits (or at least none that have been properly communicated). But it’s a whole different story for consumers. For individual consumers, the reasons to upgrade are compelling. Whether or not Microsoft will be able to get users to upgrade from existing operating systems hinges on the prices and special packs. After having used Windows 7 for over six months now, I can tell you Microsoft has something big here. They’ve finally got their act together!