Windows 7

It's official: Windows 7 is here!  Microsoft and its OEM partners globally made available its newest operating system, Windows 7, on October 22, 2009.  Personally, I have been running Windows 7 as my primary desktop for a couple of months now, and so far...so good!

It has been a delight.  Since Windows 7 is built on the foundation of Windows Vista, the software and driver compatibility issues have long since been resolved.  I have yet to experience an application or device that won't run on it.  The OS feels more corporate, and is well organized. 

In reality, the thing you want from any operating system is for it to provide a secure and stable platform for you to run your applications.  Users use applications, and the applications use the operating system, and the operating system controls the hardware.  Thus, the OS should run your applications and interface easily with your hardware...and Windows 7 does both well. 

As I plug in hardware, Windows 7 tries and typically succeeds in finding a driver online, downloading and installing it automatically.  All the apps I installed have worked perfectly.  The networking is stable and fast. 

Would I upgrade my XP machine to a Windows 7?  Well, I did, but that's the kind of thing I do.  A better question is: would I recommend typical business users go upgrade their XP machine to Windows 7?  Not unless you want to invest time doing it.  Let's face it, any reformat and reload can be tedious as you rebuild your system, backup and restore your data, reinstall your apps, reconnect all your peripherals, and get it all set up.  When it is time for a new system, go for Win7.