Is Windows 7 ideal for me?

I'm currently an XP Pro user and always have been because it seems like the lightweight option compared to all newer software nowadays and it does as you want it to when you are a web developer!

I am a web developer and I spend a lot of time using browsers, and developer environment kits such as Eclipse, Photoshop, XAMPP, etc.

My new PC at the moment is not currently working due to Dell failing to provide me with working hardware (wey-hey) but when it gets fixed shall I go back to installing XP Pro, or use Windows 7 from now on.

I like Windows 7 from as far I can see. It's a hell of a lot more interesting than Vista and seems to be a lot less buggy and a lot more efficient. Luckily, I never installed or properly used Vista because I was just too afraid to go there!

I can install any Windows OS I like, because luckily the company I work for is a Microsoft Certified company so we get the software posted to us for nothing (other than partner fees). So it's not a matter of getting the software, but whether the software is right for me or not.

Are there any other web developers using Windows 7 here? Can you share your view on this situation if you are, and if you are not, can you shed some light on some ideas!

Thanks in advance.

Attero said:

I'm currently an XP Pro user and always have been because it seems like the lightweight option compared to all newer software nowadays and it does as you want it to when you are a web developer!

I am a web developer and I spend a lot of time using browsers, and developer environment kits such as Eclipse, Photoshop, XAMPP, etc.

My new PC at the moment is not currently working due to Dell failing to provide me with working hardware (wey-hey) but when it gets fixed shall I go back to installing XP Pro, or use Windows 7 from now on.

I like Windows 7 from as far I can see. It's a hell of a lot more interesting than Vista and seems to be a lot less buggy and a lot more efficient. Luckily, I never installed or properly used Vista because I was just too afraid to go there!

I can install any Windows OS I like, because luckily the company I work for is a Microsoft Certified company so we get the software posted to us for nothing (other than partner fees). So it's not a matter of getting the software, but whether the software is right for me or not.

Are there any other web developers using Windows 7 here? Can you share your view on this situation if you are, and if you are not, can you shed some light on some ideas!

Thanks in advance.

Attero

Not a developer but some things to ponder. Win 7 is a pretty good OS. stabile, efficient, and quick.
If you are coming from the XP pro environment you are in pretty good shape if your new PC can run VM.
Most of your XP apps, and tools will run in 32 bit win 7 (64bit is a bit more difficult) and those that dont can either be run in VM, or you can dual boot.

I would suggest you give a look at the Microsoft free trial of win 7 enterprise edition. Free for 90 days it will give you a good idea of how it fits your needs.

Im sure a developer will be by but thought I would say hi

Ken

Hi zigzag. Thanks for your post.

I am aware of the availability of Windows XP from standard via Virtual Machine, but what I am trying to understand is whether the Windows 7 interface and features is a comfortable environment for developers to be working on. Because I am a web developer, not a desktop software developer, I do not need to check for platform compatibility (unfortunately I have the daunting task of checking for browser compatibility when developing instead!).

As far as I am aware, XP Pro and Windows 2000 are currently the best platforms (by Microsoft) to be developing on. I could guarantee that I would not be able to work on such a platform as Vista because to be completely honest, nothing was right with Vista. I couldn't point out one thing I liked about it!

I do have Windows 7 Enterprise (full, not trial!) on my PC currently, but because of the hardware failures I am unable to really check it out and I wish not to install Windows 7 on my other machines because I'm happy with keeping XP on them.