Windows 7 Not Afraid of Netbooks or Macs
Microsoft thinks that Windows 7 will be enough to fend off all challengers.
Despite increasing competition from all sides, Microsoft seems to be holding the "What, me worry?" kind of attitude when it comes to staying on top.
Microsoft executive general manager Charles Songhurst said that netbooks, despite being a growing segment that presents many opportunities for competition, isn't one that should shake Windows 7's success.
The Google Chrome OS and Intel's Moblin provide free and lightweight operating system software for netbooks is geared towards casual surfing and emailing. According to CNet, Songhurst believes that even Google's strength behind Chrome and its free price tag isn't enough to hurt Microsoft's hold on the OS market if the competitors' products aren't demonstrably better.
With Windows 7 being engineered to perform better on netbooks than Windows Vista did, the familiarity of the OS for many users will be reason enough to stick with Microsoft.
Even with Apple's surging success as of late, Microsoft still feels that it the hold on enterprises. "If they are not compelling to the CIO, they are not going to make inroads in the enterprise," Songhurst said, referring to Macs.
Everyone will be watching how Windows 7 performs for both consumers and corporations when it launches next month.
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I honestly think that Windows 7 might beat the opposition down. It seems to have all the plus points of Vista with a few of it's own in addition, without the crippling speed problems. Vista is the reason I went open source.
Face it. Your hardware will most likely work with Windows. The software you need will most likely work with Windows. This can't be said about either Linux distros or OS X. At least for the foreseeable future, you will need Windows. And Windows 7 is very good.
I really like OS X but not so much I'll buy a new printer. And my mobile phone software doesn't work with it either. And one or two other apps for that matter. And that's without even considering the cost. I use Ubuntu and love it but am well aware of its deficiencies. I use XP on a virtual machine to compensate for them.
Just buy Windows 7. You need it. Even if you won't admit it.
@ukgooey
your last line very much sums it all up. +1
I love all the new OSs like the Mac so much that I bought a laptop from them. Having said that and restating how big a failure I think the entire Vista era is I'm looking forward to Windows 7 as well. Microsoft seems to have learned from it's many mistakes and the new system is looking great. I'm really hoping it is as optimized for netbooks as they hype it to be. Because "better on netbooks than Windows Vista did" isn't saying much. The other aspect that I think is great is how diverse Windows 7 is, running on light netbooks to having some pretty great features for new hardware on high end desktops or workstations.
Unfortunately I have to agree with you all. Windows 7 will be the best seller of the forthcoming years and NOTHING can hurt its position at the moment...
Intel's Moblin - not stable enough and requires new hardware,
Leopard - not my thing, too limited in terms of customization and lacks support of some devices you can buy,
Linux - brilliant for me, although support for various devices is very limited.
So effectively - the only real choice for desktop OS is windows...
I got win7 for £43 with a load of voucher code - So that was reason one.
Also "Rab1d-BDGR" point about new APIs and hardware was the other.
"ukgooey" vista made me try out ubuntu too. It's now my full time system. I would play more games (XP) but as 99% of the new ones want dial home DRM to be installed I don't buy them. I just use the PS3 and have dropped out the market. Saved almost £1000 by now - Take that DRM.
The only reason windows 7 will succed is because it comes loaded on most computers at retail, I bought my daughter a macbook for christmas in 2008, we was so impressed we went and bought 2 more, you can convert to OSX or Linux there are plenty of replacement apps out there, if you want to learn, and its no different than learning to use a new mobile phone, I have seen windows 7 and it does look good, but the amount of ram needed to start it up is a joke, you will need to run 64bit with at least 4gigs to get the best out of it, I will still look at it as my job as a network admin requires it, though I tell my users that snow leopard is faster and better.
The only reason windows 7 will succed is because it comes loaded on most computers at retail, I bought my daughter a macbook for christmas in 2008, we was so impressed we went and bought 2 more, you can convert to OSX or Linux there are plenty of replacement apps out there, if you want to learn, and its no different than learning to use a new mobile phone, I have seen windows 7 and it does look good, but the amount of ram needed to start it up is a joke, you will need to run 64bit with at least 4gigs to get the best out of it, I will still look at it as my job as a network admin requires it, though I tell my users that snow leopard is faster and better.
Not sure I'm in full agreement with you there mate. I tested Windows 7 on a 3500+ with 1 gig RAM and an NC10 with 1 gig RAM and it was lovely. Everything worked. Well.
OS X is excellent it's true but if I want to print something off I have to transfer it to Linux or Windows (or I could buy a new printer). My mobile software only works with Windows and I back that thing up like a bitch after previous accidents lost me all my contacts. So, back to a point I've mentioned before in previous threads. Apple are the only company that support so few devices (or manufacturers won't supply drivers to be fair). Even besides the disproportionate cost of the machines, you have to factor in hardware and software compatability.
Like I said. You need Windows. Boot Camp. You'll need that too.