At last count, I’ve installed and/or configured Windows 7 on at least eight computers, three of which were mine. The others were computers of friends or family less comfortable with the prospect of installing or configuring a new OS from scratch. The funny thing is, there is no reason for anyone to be scared of Windows 7.
The OS more than makes up for all of the pain and suffering caused by Vista. It’s snappy, user-friendly and solid as a rock. It’s also smart. The latest example of its intelligence was when I installed it on a 9-year-old Pentium 4 Sony Vaio that is now Little NH’s computer. I completed the install just before dinner and had to jump on another computer to find the driver for an old Linksys USB adapter that I’m using (yeah, I’m a frugal gadget nut). That took about two minutes to find and install from the Linksys site. No problem, really. Then, down in the system notifications box, I saw that my audio card was not recognized and there was some other problem with my video card. “Meh, I’ll get started on troubleshooting that after dinner,” I thought. So, I sat down with my wife, had dinner and a nice bottle of wine. I was in charge of the dishes that night and glanced at the computer on my way into the kitchen. There was no longer a little red “X” next to the speaker icon on the taskbar. Odd.
I went ahead and did the dishes and circled back to the computer when I was done with my chores. You know what? While I sat, ate and drank wine with my wife, Windows 7 had gone on the Internet, found and installed the drivers I needed. I did nothing. Do you know how long it took me to get any sound in the very same computer on Windows Vista? Probably about a month. Not to mention, the only time Vista seemed to fix something by itself, it was some sort of software patch that managed to break something else. Not at all the case with 7. Not at all.
So, I’m pretty happy with this OS. I’m reminded of this happiness whenever I pick up my work laptop that is running a copy of Vista Business. Ugh. The thing wouldn’t even go into sleep mode until a couple of weeks ago when I just went ahead and reinstalled Vista. It’s better now, but nothing near the speed of even my near decade-old Vaio.
Yeah, Microsoft has done good with this product. Credit where credit is due. If you haven’t made the switch – drip the C-note. You’ll wonder why you waited so long.
NotHemingway 
Great review. I sure am pleased with the OS. Even I can figure stuff out if I stumble around enough>
I’m glad you like it. I’m also glad you waited and didn’t jump the gun with Vista. We’d both be hurtin’!