Need tweaks/hacks to approximate some OS X functionality

elessar25 · 30 Mar 2011

After doing a bunch of reading (and based on my own experience with OS X), I think that the whole "it just works" is purely bs. OS X has hung on me before. I also like Windows 7's features a lot more than OS X's (including Explorer vs. Finder, keyboard layout [e.g. no delete key], hard to rename files, much worse context menu functionality [i.e. the right mouse button], etc.) But I've also seen first-hand how OS X has some obvious advantages in the following:

Sleep mode (just close/open lid)-works as if you were opening/closing a book. This is not the case with Windows 7, since it takes some time to resume where you left off.
Power consumption-uses much less battery to run. This is proven because the macbook itself works longer with OS X on then with Windows 7 on a dual-boot.
Doesn't slow down over time, no matter how many apps you add and no matter how long it stays on without restarting.
Time Machine-Automatically backs up applications as well as documents in the background. Enables you to resume EXACTLY where you left off as soon as computer is loaded. My sister-in-law's Macbook broke down about a month ago. After she got her new MBP, she simply connected to Time Machine and restored her entire system and absolutely everything (including applications) were exactly the same.

Just curious if anyone knows of any tweaks/hacks in Windows 7 that would allow me to achieve the same level of functionality in those 4 areas as in OS X.

Thanks

logicearth · 30 Mar 2011

elessar25 said:

Sleep mode (just close/open lid)-works as if you were opening/closing a book. This is not the case with Windows 7, since it takes some time to resume where you left off.
Power consumption-uses much less battery to run. This is proven because the macbook itself works longer with OS X on then with Windows 7 on a dual-boot.

Drivers, the capabilities Windows has with reducing power consumption is based on the level of drivers it has to interface with the hardware. It cannot do magic abilities. Furthermore it needs to be configured. As for closing and opening the screen, my computer sleeps and wakes almost instantly, but that is more controlled by the hardware then anything.

Doesn't slow down over time, no matter how many apps you add and no matter how long it stays on without restarting.

Don't install crappy applications that fill the startup and then it won't slow down. All there is to it.

Time Machine-Automatically backs up applications as well as documents in the background. Enables you to resume EXACTLY where you left off as soon as computer is loaded. My sister-in-law's Macbook broke down about a month ago. After she got her new MBP, she simply connected to Time Machine and restored her entire system and absolutely everything (including applications) were exactly the same.

System Restore with Previous Versions is active by default, while Previous Versions does not have the pretty UI of Time Machine it does the same task. Right-click any folder, going it Properties then Previous Versions tab. Use Windows Backup then to put differential backup to an external HDD. Or using Windows Imaging Backup.

Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

DeaconFrost · 30 Mar 2011

elessar25 said:

Power consumption-uses much less battery to run. This is proven because the macbook itself works longer with OS X on then with Windows 7 on a dual-boot.

Most of my friends who use a Mac actually claim the opposite, and there have been several recent articles showing Windows 7 to outperform OSX on Apple hardware.

elessar25 said:

Doesn't slow down over time, no matter how many apps you add and no matter how long it stays on without restarting.

You must be new to Windows 7, if I had to guess. We aren't dealing with XP, that could run well over time, if you kept up on the maintenance. Windows 7 is a different animal, self-tuning so it always runs well. But, as mentioned above, you still need to use your head and follow good common practices.

Layback Bear · 31 Mar 2011

I'm not a lap person so I can't help you their. Just a good all around rule with Windows 7 is their no need for the tweaks/hacks. The old things like 3rd party tune ups, speed ups, playing with memory and the such are not need or liked by Windows 7. Most of us did all those things with older operation systems. Let Windows 7 be Windows 7 and it won't take long you will love it. Thank you for joining our forum. Their are a lot of good people here and lots of information. Take a look at the top of each page, (| Tutorials ) their is a lot of great information.

Ztruker · 31 Mar 2011

For a "Time Machine" like GUI, install Shadow Explorer. It provides a GUI interface to Win 7s Shadow Copy data.

For instance, when I start it and select my boot drive C:, this is what I see: