| Windows 7 was launched in a blaze of publicity, | | | | easily you can upgrade to Windows 7 without having |
| advertising a more 'user-friendly' system than its | | | | to do a clean install. That means wiping your hard |
| predecessor Vista. But many people found Vista and | | | | drive and basically starting again. For Netbook users |
| even XP more than adequate for their needs, so if | | | | this presents a huge problem, as many Netbooks do |
| you're in the market for a new laptop, why should | | | | not have CD ROMS, and to do a fresh install you |
| you think about buying one with the new Windows 7 | | | | need to be able to slot that operating system CD |
| operating system, rather than the tried and tested | | | | ROM into the computer. |
| Vista or XP? | | | | To avoid all the hassle of clean installs, wiping your |
| Future-proofing | | | | hard drive and future-proofing yourself against future |
| Future-proofing is the new buzzword in technology. | | | | upgrades, it's wiser to start with Windows 7 as your |
| One of the most frustrating things for people using | | | | standard operating system. |
| older machines or operating systems is the | | | | Security - a new level |
| incompatibility problems that arise with the latest | | | | One of the biggest worries for laptop users is the |
| software systems. Microsoft have invested a huge | | | | security aspect. Because of their portability, laptops |
| amount of money and time developing Windows 7, | | | | are an easy target for unscrupulous hackers, |
| which is why there has been such a delay between | | | | opportunist thieves or even industrial espionage. One |
| the launch of Vista and this latest upgrade. Because | | | | of the primary new features on Windows 7 is an |
| of the 'understanding' that many manufacturers who | | | | improved level of security, something that'll make any |
| use Microsoft have with the company, the launch of | | | | laptop owner sleep a little better at night. Windows 7 |
| Windows 7 is bound to herald a flurry of upgraded | | | | also offers better taskbar features, an improved |
| laptops designed to use Windows 7 as its primary | | | | version of Windows Explorer to make surfing the |
| operating system. So buying a laptop that has Vista | | | | 'Net easier and quicker and interface shortcuts that |
| or XP rather than Windows 7 could mean that future | | | | make it possible to run two applications side by side. |
| software designed to run on Windows 7 won't run | | | | For laptop owners with the advantage of dual core |
| on Vista or XP operating systems. | | | | processing power, Windows 7 is tailor-made for |
| However, if you only intend to use a laptop for web | | | | laptop use. Microsoft have played it clever - they |
| surfing, downloading media, emails and office | | | | know full well that the market for laptops is a |
| documents such as Word or Excel, an older operating | | | | growing one, and Windows 7 is designed to grow |
| system could be just as effective as Windows 7. But | | | | with that market in tandem. By incorporating ideas |
| with the wealth of new features available on | | | | that users actually want in an operating system, it |
| Windows 7, it might be worth considering | | | | may be some time before we see W8. So if you are |
| future-proofing yourself from the outset. | | | | thinking about buying a new laptop, it makes sense |
| Upgrading - not exactly easy... | | | | to get one with Windows 7 rather than the now |
| One of the biggest problems with upgrading is the | | | | considerably dated and troublesome Vista operating |
| limit imposed by the operating systems on just how | | | | system. |