windows 7 compared to XP Pro

I subscript to several PC magazines each month and most of the reviews are written comparing Win 7 to Vista.

I never ran a vista machine and don't plan to, but i have 3 XP units up and well.

The point being, the articles are for Vista folks. Have the XP millions just left the Planet when Win 7 was released? It seems to me the editors of the magazines and MS want to barry one of the best operating systems every offered to the public. It took some time to get there but they have it now.

I've been using Win 7 for over 2 months it's fine but I'm not convinced it's all that much better then XP for what my needs are in computers.

Would be nice to see some comparisons and users views on Win7 compared to XP.
Several of my family work for large international Co's. They say there are no steps being taken to convert to Windows 7 in the business world.


Just some observations as the hip over Win 7 starts to wear down.

Windows XP is extremely old. I don't like to use extremely old things when it comes to my computer. In my opinion, 7 is a ton better than XP. The interface looks better, the aero snap feature is functional, the superbar is nice, libraries are cool, the UAC system works pretty well now, it's got a built in system image utility, it detects "ALL" of my hardware without having to install any 3rd party drivers....and the list goes on and on.

cold startup time on my current hardware,
for windows xp pro x64: 43 seconds
windows 7 ultimate: 32 seconds
as for the rest of the comparison.. so far I'm impressed, but there are always bugs and glitches that don't make themselves obvious in the first few weeks

Well Win 7 should be unmistably better & its not.
Win 7 should address some ongoing basic weaknesses in all MS OS's & IMHO it does not.
Win 7 should allow those who favour a quick learning curve to operate in a "looks like XP" mode & it does not.
Win & should not make un-needed changes just for window dressing but it does.
MS should recognise that XP Pro was the first really decent OS they ever had but they clearly do not, they instead wish to offer something that is new & shiny regardless of genuine functionality & this subverts development time & effort from real basic improvements.
Ask the people who are already getting stuck with "Windows 7 won't start" & yes that happened top me too.

pparks1 said:

Windows XP is extremely old. I don't like to use extremely old things when it comes to my computer. In my opinion, 7 is a ton better than XP. The interface looks better, the aero snap feature is functional, the superbar is nice, libraries are cool, the UAC system works pretty well now, it's got a built in system image utility, it detects "ALL" of my hardware without having to install any 3rd party drivers....and the list goes on and on.

Thanks, some very valued points.

Yes it's old but so I'm I. Do I do things better now then when I was 20 years younger? I sure hope so!

looks anything new, can always look better.... ask Tiger ,( we better not go there)

Hardware and drivers have never been a problem, at least for me in XP. I have almost ever thing backed up. New hardware today is certainly better on install and Xp is first on their list.

Most of the important new features in W7 have been around on the net as freebies for a few years. IF, you need them , I don't.

Yes the list could go on and on...... XP is still a fine OS .

peterlonz said:

Well Win 7 should be unmistably better & its not.
Win 7 should address some ongoing basic weaknesses in all MS OS's & IMHO it does not.
Win 7 should allow those who favour a quick learning curve to operate in a "looks like XP" mode & it does not.
Win & should not make un-needed changes just for window dressing but it does.
MS should recognise that XP Pro was the first really decent OS they ever had but they clearly do not, they instead wish to offer something that is new & shiny regardless of genuine functionality & this subverts development time & effort from real basic improvements.
Ask the people who are already getting stuck with "Windows 7 won't start" & yes that happened top me too.

Win 7 , will improve, remember XP had 3 ServicePacks and still having updates every week. That's my main point, XP has gone through the growing pains for what about 7 years. When the hackers get going on W7 and they will, I wonder if some of the current shine will disappear. I hope not but if something can happen it will.

madtownidiot said:

cold startup time on my current hardware,
for windows xp pro x64: 43 seconds
windows 7 ultimate: 32 seconds
as for the rest of the comparison.. so far I'm impressed, but there are always bugs and glitches that don't make themselves obvious in the first few weeks

Gee 11 seconds, I would lose that in just opening my email in W7 as compared to XP. Yes, it's a win/loss situation on balance the time , to me has not been a factor either way.

W7 has some great features, I some what doubt that the average home user will never have a need for them. I haven't, I just get to where i want to go and finish up .
Oh! i guess we have to bear in mind as far as time is concerned, we haven't seen the updates that could/ may start to flow down from MS. They could have a effect on loading and operation functions. There coming !

Jacee said:

I had XP Pro on my laptop. I bought Vista Business and did a clean install. I've never looked back on that XP OS ... it performs extremely well, everything I throw at it, including beta testing.. does not affect it. I love my laptop!

My main desktop computer was built to run Vista Ultimate. I have beta tested Windows 7 (among other apps) with it and decided that Win 7 Ultimate was my official OS for this machine. :)

I still have another computer (3rd) that runs XP home, just to keep up with the crapware that others are experiencing while being on the Internet. This is what most people are running and I need it, in order to help them.

Sorry, i lost you a bit, as I understand it you have installed Vista on your laptop over XP, and assume over W7. Your happy with Vista, great.

However, you are testing W7 and it will become your official OS on your desktop.

finally , you still have XP to keep up with the crapware others are experiencing.

Well you have all bases covered and if you need 3 OS going so be it, but I'm still at a loss why your laptop is still in Vista if your decision is to go to W7?
Who's on first !

I think Xp is a good OS. Start up time is faster for Xp (x86) on my system when compared to windows 7. Internet browsing with firefox and my addons is also slightly faster in Xp. Xp only uses about 350mb memory when idle on my system, whereas windows 7 upto 970mb.

Windows 7 does load and run my programs slightly faster than Xp. I also find that logging onto wireless networks is much easier in windows 7. I find aero snap very handy, but the other new features are all pretty useless. I think most are available for Xp anyway. Windows 7 looks better than Xp.

In my opinion I think Xp and Windows 7 are both ok OS's. If you're rich (or can get a copy cheap) and want to have the latest stuff go for 7, if you are not bothered so much then Xp does all the important stuff and you've still got your money in your pocket and not in the bank of microsoft.