Deciding to replace your computer can be a long and drawn out process. The endless number of factors to consider can be overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with all of the technical mumbo-jumbo thrown your way.

What you finally decide to buy, whether it is a desktop or laptop, must be reliable, secure and run at optimum efficiency. You'll need to decide on the amount of memory, the size of the hard drive, the possibility of expansion over time, user friendliness, software loaded, and of course the operating system.

Now unless you opt for a Mac over a PC, that last bit of information is more important than ever as Microsoft has released Windows 7. Windows 7 is being hailed as a giant success over the previous Microsoft operating system, Windows Vista. Not only does Windows 7 offer more than previous operating systems, but it also runs more efficiently.

Here is Microsoft's Top Ten List of new features:

1. Quicker Access to Files. Got a file, photo, or website you use a lot? Open it in two clicks using Jump Lists and Pins. Jump Lists keep the most recent things you've used handy for faster access than ever. Pins "pin" programs to a task bar or to a Jump List just like tacking notes to a bulletin board.
2. Manage open windows more easily. Size and arrange windows by simply dragging their borders to the edge of your screen. Instantly expand to full screen and back or arrange two windows side by side.
3. Quickly find what you’re looking for. Use Windows Search to find a specific file, program, or e-mail in a few seconds, just by typing a few words from the Start Menu.
4. Share files and printers among multiple PCs. From one Windows 7-based PC to another, you can easily share files, music, photos and even printers across your home network.
5. Stay entertained. With Windows Media Center, enjoy photos, music, watch and record live TV, and watch free internet TV.
6. Easily create and share movies. Create great looking movies and slideshows and share them in minutes. Windows Live Essentials is a collection of free programs that puts the Internet in your hands, quickly and easily.
7. Connect to networks easily. View and connect to any available wireless network. When you're on the go, find and connect to Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, VPN, or dial-up networks with just a couple clicks.
8. Do more and wait less. There are improvements to accelerate sleep and resume modes and make your PC more responsive. Start up and shut down times are drastically reduced. Additionally, a new utility will show you what's using your laptop battery power and allows you to adjust your power settings accordingly. Battery life can be improved by as much as 30%
9. Don't leave programs behind. Run many Windows XP compatible programs in Windows XP Mode. This way you can still get the benefits of Windows 7, but continue to use those older business programs that still require the XP operating system.
10. Offer your PC better protection. Easily configure regularly scheduled backups of your important data. If you have information on your PC that you need to protect, you can help prevent theft or loss by using BitLocker encryption to put a virtual lock on your files.
    

Windows 7 is being offered in Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate packages, the latter two being designed for the business environment by providing higher security and networking capabilities. However, if you choose to upgrade from Vista you will only be allowed to move from Home Premium to Home Premium, Business to Professional and Ultimate to Ultimate.

Keep in mind that the move to Windows 7 most likely means a new computer. Older model PCs are equipped with either 512MB or 1GB of RAM, so both Vista and Windows 7 will take up a good portion of the available memory. You can continue to stay with XP as your operating system on an older pc, but Microsoft is phasing out that program and will no longer be providing support for it within the next few months.

It is clear that Windows 7 is the operating system that Microsoft has needed to compete with the reliability of Macs -- and they have done so successfully. Despite a few upgrade errors we've found moving from Vista, Windows 7 has set the standard and is an absolute must-have in your home and in your business.

Please feel free to call us at 630-379-0330 for more information.

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