Windows 7 comes out Thursday, October 22nd. Should you upgrade?
The good thing about Windows 7 is that it has been tested like no other
Windows OS. The beta version has been out for quite some time
(I even had it on my Mac).
But, should you upgrade? Here are some things to think about before you
go out and purchase it.
How old is your computer? If your computer is over 2 years old, I would not upgrade.
How much RAM do you have? If you don’t have at least 2 GB of RAM,
I would not upgrade. I would prefer to see your computer have at least 3-4 GB of RAM.
Are you running XP or Vista? If you are running Vista, and your computer
meets the other 2 criteria above, go ahead and upgrade! (Keep reading…there’s more!)
If you are running XP, I would think twice. Even if your computer meets the other
2 criteria (and I doubt it does if you are running XP), this is a MAJOR upgrade to XP.
So you’ve made the decision to upgrade. There is more you need to do before you
stick that dvd in the drive (yep, the Windows 7 comes on a DVD). So…
Make sure your computer has a DVD drive. It doesn’t have to be read/writable,
but it does have to be able to run DVD’s. 95% of computer’s have a dvd drive.
Make sure you run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
Backup, Backup, Backup, then Backup again. I can’t stress this enough.
If something goes terribly wrong ( and it can) you better have a backup!
Last point…upgrading to Windows 7 will not make you more money!
(that’s always one of my criteria to upgrading software or hardware…) so be patient.
Maybe wait a few weeks to see how everyone else (who didn’t read this blog)
are fairing with the upgrade. I don’t think there is going to be major problems,
but why take the risk? Microsoft is not know for flawless upgrades!
should most of my programs work with 7? i.e. microsoft office, etc. apparently outlook 8 is automatically installed; is there a potential problem there? MLS still tells me to install 8 at my own risk. they say some computers will not access the MLS with 8.
Thanks.
Rich,
Do you plan on upgrading? I’m not sure there is a reason for you to upgrade. (In fact, I would advise you not to upgrade) The RMLS is going to have to deal with any issues there are with IE 8. It’s coming, like a freight train, so any website that can not handle IE 8 better get fixed…fast. I’ve seen some computers have problems, but the majority seem to be working just fine with it.
I would expect most of your programs will work. Run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor program just to check though. Even if you don’t upgrade, it would be good knowledge. I would let everyone else upgrade and deal with any issues. Then you can do it down the road…after you call me!
My laptop is 2 years old and I won’t upgrade it. I’m buying a MAC instead and will put Windows 7 on it.
This is good advice. I spoke with my brother last night and he was considering upgrading, but I directed him to your blog and to Microsoft and he decided against it. His system is too old and under powered. Thanks for the advice!