How much better is Windows 7?

Cytherian

Cytherian

Vista Guru
I've heard a lot about how Windows 7 solves a lot of Vista's woes, like driver issues, networking complexity, and OS efficiency.

Overall, I've had pretty good luck with Vista. It seems to perform well enough for my needs. I don't mind an extra dialog popping up for anything that might have a security impact--the extra step is a nice piece of mind.

However, I've had some wireless networking issues that haven't been easy to solve. I seem to have fixed one and then another takes its place. Also, it seems to me that Vista is just as sensitive as XP to the number of programs installed. My installation seems to run a bit slower than it used to (after about 2 years of use).

I'm wondering... is it worth upgrading to Windows 7? Is it really that much better? Or is it worth the time/effort to optimize my Vista installation and just keep going with it?
 

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Truly a matter of opinion. In my case I liked Vista but love Windows 7. It is unfair for me to comapre, however, since I had Vista when there were problems with drivers etc. That is history with 7. Seven has a lot of eye candy, too. Not essential, but enjoyable features.

This aricle can tell you what my fingers cant
Windows 7 vs Vista Performance Comparison

The chart is confusing, but the article indicates that Seven has it over Vista.

Conclusion of article
It’s good to know that the performance improvements that Microsoft have been talking about all along are real, and totally quantifiable. If you are a student, it would be foolish not to make use of Microsoft’s $30 upgrade offer (Canadians get it for $40). And if you’re not, it is still worth picking up, to get the absolute most out of your PC.
 

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Thanks for that reference, Richard. Very impressive!

Yeah, I think I'll just keep my eyes peeled for a deal and switch over to Windows-7 Ultimate. In my mind, every minute that I save in doing things faster will eventually pay for the upgrade.
 

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t
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    Intel Core Duo 2.53GHz
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    4Gb
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    NVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512Mb
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    1280x800 32bit
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    Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb
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There is one other thing to keep in mind though, if you're as interested in the conveniences of function and features as in technology. Windows 7 may be technologically superior to Vista, but if you use and like quite a few Vista features that have been deleted from Windows 7, that can be something to take into consideration. I'm holding off on Windows 7 for that very reason -- until I find enough tweaks to recreate the Vista features that I use constantly, I don't want to switch to Widnows 7.
 

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t (Gen. 1)
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    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
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    4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
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    512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
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    ~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
Imperfect1 said:
There is one other thing to keep in mind though, if you're as interested in the conveniences of function and features as in technology. Windows 7 may be technologically superior to Vista, but if you use and like quite a few Vista features that have been deleted from Windows 7, that can be something to take into consideration. I'm holding off on Windows 7 for that very reason -- until I find enough tweaks to recreate the Vista features that I use constantly, I don't want to switch to Widnows 7.
Click to expand...

I have to admit that I like the added layer of security in Vista. But I'm curious to know what features you've found useful that aren't in Windows 7.

Quite frankly, I've been nearly beating my head against the wall with networking issues. I solve one thing and run into another. I thought I'd gotten everything all cleared up and then... I went to use the wireless network at a relative's house. Their XP laptop performed acceptably while mine lagged horribly. And my laptop has better hardware. What... I'd then have to devote a few hours to fine tuning my laptop for their network? NO THANKS. I'm sick and tired of the highly cumbersome networking software built into Vista. No wonder why this operating system has been dissed so significantly. Sure... a well informed guru who has devoted many hundreds of hours to understand Vista might disagree, but I shouldn't have to undergo such efforts. This is an operating system that was marketed to novices... I'm no novice and I'm facing perplexing issues. I feel like I'm so ready to step up and out of this quagmire.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t
    CPU
    Intel Core Duo 2.53GHz
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    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512Mb
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb
    Hitachi Travelstar HTS543225L9A300 250Gb
    Mouse
    Microsoft 4000
Cytherian said:
Imperfect1 said:
There is one other thing to keep in mind though, if you're as interested in the conveniences of function and features as in technology. Windows 7 may be technologically superior to Vista, but if you use and like quite a few Vista features that have been deleted from Windows 7, that can be something to take into consideration. I'm holding off on Windows 7 for that very reason -- until I find enough tweaks to recreate the Vista features that I use constantly, I don't want to switch to Widnows 7.
Click to expand...

I'm curious to know what features you've found useful that aren't in Windows 7. QUOTE]

There are, unfortunately, quite a few of them, but a few that come to mind are: Hate the Librarys (and they’re very difficult to manually arrange). I’ve got my Explorer laid out exactly the way I want it, so I don’t need them, don’t want them and they just confuse my system. Hate the new Taskbar – had to figure out how to tweak back the QuickLaunch which I use many times a day. The new Search has been changed and is much more difficult to use than the Search in Vista.
Click to expand...
 

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    HP Pavillion dv5t (Gen. 1)
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    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
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    4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display
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    1680 x 1050
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    320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
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    built in - HP
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    built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
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    ~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
Cytherian said:
Imperfect1 said:
There is one other thing to keep in mind though, if you're as interested in the conveniences of function and features as in technology. Windows 7 may be technologically superior to Vista, but if you use and like quite a few Vista features that have been deleted from Windows 7, that can be something to take into consideration. I'm holding off on Windows 7 for that very reason -- until I find enough tweaks to recreate the Vista features that I use constantly, I don't want to switch to Widnows 7.
Click to expand...

I have to admit that I like the added layer of security in Vista. But I'm curious to know what features you've found useful that aren't in Windows 7.

Quite frankly, I've been nearly beating my head against the wall with networking issues. I solve one thing and run into another. I thought I'd gotten everything all cleared up and then... I went to use the wireless network at a relative's house. Their XP laptop performed acceptably while mine lagged horribly. And my laptop has better hardware. What... I'd then have to devote a few hours to fine tuning my laptop for their network? NO THANKS. I'm sick and tired of the highly cumbersome networking software built into Vista. No wonder why this operating system has been dissed so significantly. Sure... a well informed guru who has devoted many hundreds of hours to understand Vista might disagree, but I shouldn't have to undergo such efforts. This is an operating system that was marketed to novices... I'm no novice and I'm facing perplexing issues. I feel like I'm so ready to step up and out of this quagmire.
Click to expand...

Quite a few of them, but just as an example, 1. I hate the Librarys (and find them very difficult to manually arrange. I’ve got my Explorer laid out exactly the way I want it, so I don’t need Librarys, don’t want them, and they get in the way. 2. I really dislike the new Taskbar, 3. I want my QuickLaunch toolbar which I use many times a day - had to search for tweaks to get it back. 4. The new Search has been changed and is much more difficult to use than the Search in Vista. Etc., etc. etc., unfortunately.
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t (Gen. 1)
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
    Keyboard
    built in - HP
    Mouse
    built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
    Internet Speed
    max
    Other Info
    ~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
To me it all depends on the Version of Vista For Example you will find that Vista Home Premium is the Same as Windows 7 Home Premium (Near Enough) As for Vista Ultimate and Windows 7 Ultimate there have been a Few Improvements and I would recommned Upgrading

Hope This Helps,
Josh
 

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I've found Vista to be very competent and capable for most of my needs... the only headache I've had is with networking. And it's not consistent. I've had no problems with some networks and lots of trouble on others. When I had a Windows XP laptop, there were NONE of those problems.

I'm currently on Vista Home Premium x64, and I'm still planning to upgrade to Windows 7 (Ultimate), but I won't pay full retail. I'm keeping an eye out for a sale and will go for it then.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t
    CPU
    Intel Core Duo 2.53GHz
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512Mb
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb
    Hitachi Travelstar HTS543225L9A300 250Gb
    Mouse
    Microsoft 4000

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
^ Thanks, Richard. I have seen other write-ups about using the upgrade version as if it were an original installation; this is a good version.


Over the holidays, I visited a couple of different homes with wireless networks. I was able to connect to them without issues. My home wireless connection is the problem... but, it appears that Vista has issues while XP does not. I'm still going to try troubleshooting this with the router support service, because I'd hate to upgrade to Windows 7 and find the problem still exists.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t
    CPU
    Intel Core Duo 2.53GHz
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512Mb
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb
    Hitachi Travelstar HTS543225L9A300 250Gb
    Mouse
    Microsoft 4000
For Vista had too many driver issues.

Since Seven I've had No problems at all.
 

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After benchmarking VISTA VS 7 with passmark performance tester... windows 7 came out on top. BUT after running the same programs vista used less memory IDLE than 7 and less CPU speed than 7.

BUT.. Windows 7 scored 644.3 in pm pt and vista 517.3 so it is good that windows 7 is using more resoures ONLY IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH.

Windows 7 also gets rid or sidebar and lets you have the gadgets by themselfs on the desktop. Professional and Ultimate come with XP mode if you have Intel Virtualisation Technology enabled AND comes with a new EASY taskbar.


theses more but i have more threads to post on.
 

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