windows 7 compared to XP Pro

i still don't understand why people like xp?

Can't search programs in start menu
Can't access as many controls in control panel

Starts up slow - ( my xp can't bet the vista and 7 machine ( both restart usually under a min) - i have also seen people in business enviroments wait 20 mins to use xp after a restart.)

Talking about businesses running xp. They don't turn there computers off at night because it takes to long to restart in the morning.)

I am a little unsure if this is a failure for the program or IT staff. ( some of the case i would think IT staff. I have walked in after they have done an over hall and nothing works )

one last thing xp start menu takes up half the task bar??

cheers

vic

ps

7 rules best ever

Come on, Windows XP is nearly a decade old now. Yes, it's stable and less resource-hungry, but it's boring old technology with no really interesting features for us software-lovers. For most users, though, it's enough.

One thing which surprises me a lot is how long Windows OS's go on being used. That hardly ever happens in the Linux world, of which I partially live in. Don't know anyone who uses SuSE 8 now ... and is happy with it. :) But then newer versions of Windows OS's are not complete rewrites, so maybe that's the reason.

@vicvic

In my experience a lot of people use home computers to surf the internet for the majority of the time.

Maybe use MS office or a couple of other programs now and then.

So for these people you think that spending £X amount on windows 7 just because they can search programs in their start menu matters? For these people speed of internet is probably most important to remove associated frustrations. And in my opinion Xp is as good if not better than windows 7 at running most browsers.

Windows 7 will also become bogged down with programs that start with the OS if you don't keep on top of them (Adobe Bridge and Office groove are pretty bad:)

Muhammad said:

Come on, Windows XP is nearly a decade old now. Yes, it's stable and less resource-hungry

And the exact same thing was said about XP when it came out. Most of the ones that throw out that old argument all fail to remember what XP was like on the hardware of the day.

I can remember seeing people that were clinging on to Win 98 4-5 years after XP came out, and we're seeing the same thing all over again.

Its not really 'clinging on to ' Xp.
What people need to do is compare the OS's weighing up the pros and cons for their system/s whilst considering the ways in which the system/s is/are used.
Then make a rational choice as to whether the purchase of windows 7 is justified for that system, or to wait until a new system is purchased. (Price influence)

To be able to compare OS's people need to get non biased opinions rather than listen to hype generated by organisations/people with vested or financial interests.

peterlonz said:

Well Win 7 should be unmistably better & its not.

Based on what? Your opinion?

peterlonz said:

Win 7 should address some ongoing basic weaknesses in all MS OS's & IMHO it does not.

Again, based on what?

peterlonz said:

Win 7 should allow those who favour a quick learning curve to operate in a "looks like XP" mode & it does not.

This would simply add needless bloat to the new operating system. Why emulate something nearly 10 years old? Windows 95 didn't emulate Windows 3.1.

peterlonz said:

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.

Do you wear the same clothing for 10+ years...never change your home decor? Of course things should change for "window-dressing." And MS has always acknowledged the success of XP. The new functionalities built into Windows 7 make XP look like something archaic. The improvements are probably the best work MS has ever done.

Your post sounds like sour grapes to me, and really serves no productive use in this forum.

peterlonz said:

Ask the people who are already getting stuck with "Windows 7 won't start" & yes that happened top me too.

It's a very isolated problem, and your time would be better served looking into how to solve it, or even better, reinstalling Windows XP on your PC.

I just upgraded my entire house's entertainment systems to 1080P HD, with pure HD interface softwares such as Xbox Media Center and J.River Media Center.

I couldnt imagine staying with old XP, windows 7 has the look, speed and features to keep up with todays fast emerging HD entertainment areas, XP doesnt and wont.

Windows 7 can stream music, burn iso's, has better media players, way more views for viewing all kinds of media, etc, XP in this area is pales.

Also networking and driver installation is seemless. Windows 7 found all my drivers, set up my home network, internet connection and tons more without me having to do anything, try that with XP, it ain't going to happen, lol.

TC

tcman47 said:

I just upgraded my entire house's entertainment systems to 1080P HD, with pure HD interface softwares such as Xbox Media Center and J.River Media Center.

I couldnt imagine staying with old XP, windows 7 has the look, speed and features to keep up with todays fast emerging HD entertainment areas, XP doesn't and wont.

Windows 7 can stream music, burn iso's, has better media players, way more views for viewing all kinds of media, etc, XP in this area is pales.

Also networking and driver installation is seemless. Windows 7 found all my drivers, set up my home network, internet connection and tons more without me having to do anything, try that with XP, it ain't going to happen, lol.

TC

You score some major points ! I'm not sure what percentage of computer users today use their unit for entertainment functions . 10 % ? i don't know. if they are, it sure seems they should load W7. There is no question XP will not be adding any new functions but I've done several reloads and never had a problem with drivers etc.

i could list a few of my software that will not work on W7 but that will always happen with a new OS. So i have to go to XP or wait for a new revision for W7 and pay to have a working program again....every one is collecting funds except the user. Great for MS and the software Co. I have a program that works now! that's the case i would make.

I think that the whole XP or Windows 7 thing is just a human issue it's not really what's faster or has more features or what not.

People resist change, something new puts most people outside their comfort level and I have found most PC users have a very low comfort level, a lot of people don't understand or utilize XP even so the thought of something new or more complex scares them.

For those who get brave enough to try something new a lot of time won't give it a real chance they use it for a few hours or days and because it is strange or different they get the I don't like it attitude.

For us power users most of us have trouble understanding why everyone else does not see what we see a shiny new play thing!

With Windows 7 the thing that has impressed me is the increased driver support, I have built several new PC's for clients and after the install of 7 is done all hardware has been detected and device drivers are already loaded and if for some reason you plug in something that 7 does not have a driver for a quick Windows update will find and install the driver usually no muss no fuss.