Windows 7 - Worth the purchase?

[Excellent2]

I've ported back over to Windows again as I've got myself a new Sony Vaio laptop. Currently, I have Vista Home Premium installed. I hate Vista with a passion as it eats up my RAM something terrible.

I'm a student so I can get Windows 7 for £30. My question to you is, is it worth the EMA spendage?

It would be helpful if you could list some cool features too. (I already know about the Snap feature).

[GommeInc]

Definitely :) A few features:

:-Under 'Devices and Printers' tab in the Start Menu, you can see all installed and currently working devices plugged in - including the monitor (mine isn't installed, but it recognises it).
:-Plug and Play functionality is even better - things *most of the time* do just work and install within seconds - Vista implemented this, 7 refines it.
:-You can make your own "Themes" including desktop, screen saver and window/taskbar colours.
:-Windows Media Player opens near-immediately.
:-You can start using the computer the moment the desktop loads (obviously depending on specs, but a VAIO laptop should be able to do this).
:-Wireless internet is connected almost immediately (I calculate half a second on this PC).
:-SHAKE FEATURE (minimises all open tasks, shaking again brings them back up)
:-Show Desktop button is on the right hand side of the taskbar, no button anymore :)
:-All computers and printers on a network can be viewed (if permissions are set to that)
:-Adding a wireless printer is incredibly easy and alot more printers are supported.

That's all I can think of on the top of my head. This computer was Vista Home Premium and is not 7 Professional. It's a huge difference, so fast with anything!

[awelsh]

Go for it :)

Moved from Windows XP to Windows 7 Ultimate 2 days ago and its great. Even on this PC which doesn't even meet the 7 specs it works fast :)

Only problem with me is that my scanner is no longer supported, but thats not much of a problem :)

[Sunny.]

Moved to windows 7 a few days ago. Love it atm.
I installed the BETA but it was too buggy so i went bk to xp.
But this version of win7 is well worth the upgrade.

Love the bottom bar and the small features like shake.

Another feature they have introduced is the Windows xp mode.
You have to download it from microsoft website, and it allows you to boot win xp in a small window and install a program which you can then use. Very handy.

Unfortunately my toshiba laptop doesnt support visualization so I cant have it, but ur VAIO shud be fine.

[Tomm]

I'd just try plugging in your scanner anyway. I've got a HP Scanjet scanner and the installation won't work nor can I find any Windows 7 compatible drivers/software from HP but it works 100% by just plugging it in and Windows 7 detects it as a scanner and works fine.


Go for it :)

Moved from Windows XP to Windows 7 Ultimate 2 days ago and its great. Even on this PC which doesn't even meet the 7 specs it works fast :)

Only problem with me is that my scanner is no longer supported, but thats not much of a problem :)

[awelsh]

I'd just try plugging in your scanner anyway. I've got a HP Scanjet scanner and the installation won't work nor can I find any Windows 7 compatible drivers/software from HP but it works 100% by just plugging it in and Windows 7 detects it as a scanner and works fine.

Wouldn't work just being plugged in.

But after saying that I troubleshooted it again and it found working drivers for it and now its all good :)

Only thing it can't find drivers for is my Dial up modem :P but that's not really a problem.

[xxMATTGxx]

I've used Windows 7 since one day before the official release day and I must say I love it. Found no problems with drivers or issues with any of my devices, everything just seems to work. Not found any problems really, Microsoft has done well in this OS compared to what they did to Vista when that first came out. Well worth upgrading to! :)

[jackass]

I'm intending to buy it very soon after all the good things i've heard about it! :D

[Alkaz]

Yeah it is really really good. Ive had it installed for an hour now and it was well worth the hassel I gave MattGarner before installing it about things working properly because they didnt say they were supported with 7 but everything works a treat!
GET IT!

[Barmi]

It's undoubtedly worth the £30, so go for it.

[Teabags]

its worth that much to get rid of using vista. W7 is just a bonus.

[Markeh]

I'm considering upgrading, as I'm eligible for the "free" W7 Upgrade from HP (to 7 Home Premium), but can't be bothered to reinstall all my programs and put all my data back on it. Plus it's £22 in shipping and handling.

It is a damn good OS though. We've got it installed in some of our IT rooms at school, and it's damn good.