What Windows 7 and its Beta is All About

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10136751-56.html?tag=mncol;title' target='_blank'>http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-1...tag=mncol;title</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Windows PCs have always represented a great value relative to other companies in the marketplace, both in terms of the whole range of price points and all the capabilities that you get out of the box. Given the economic situation, as shareholders would expect us to tighten our belt, but with the things that are most important, and customers would expect us to do that while continuing to innovate. And this is why even in this touch economic situation it's exciting to be able to look at the product pipeline we've got with Internet Explorer 8, Windows 7 and Windows Live...and the next generation of Windows Live, and look at all of the advances that we're offering to customers. A Windows PC is an unbelievable entertainment investment."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1231570981.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Bill Veghte is currently at CES stirring up interest in Windows 7.&nbsp; While the public beta is now available, CNet was unable to get Veghte to commit to a firm release date raising some questions as to whether it'll meet hopes that it will be released this year.&nbsp; However, a good portion of CNet's interview with Microsoft's Senior Vice President was spent emphasizing Windows 7's flexibility and focus on consumer needs, going so far as actively soliciting feedback during this beta period.&nbsp; I'm eager to set up a test computer to try out all the new features that I've been reading about.&nbsp; Fortunately, the requirements for Windows 7 aren't steep and in fact, very similar to Windows Vista.&nbsp; Anyone else going to try out the beta?</p>

[Rob Alexander]

Sheesh, they must send every Microsoft executive to classes on how to say nothing in 500 words or more. It's amazing that you can ask this guy a dozen questions, get a dozen answers, but still not get one bit of actual information. :)

[John Lane]

I downloaded and installed the Windows 7 Beta. I did it as a dual boot on my current Vista machine, but doing so I didn't install any apps. So now I am thinking about ghosting my current apps and reinstalling 7. I must say 7 was the easiest Windows installation I have ever done.

[Sven Johannsen]

Sheesh, they must send every Microsoft executive to classes on how to say nothing in 500 words or more. It's amazing that you can ask this guy a dozen questions, get a dozen answers, but still not get one bit of actual information. :)

When not writing presentations, his staff writes the error messages for MS :D

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Anyone else going to try out the beta?

I've got it on my (very old) Sony U50 UMPC and color me impressed. Given the hardware requirements I wasn't expecting much (the Sony has a Celeron 900MHz processor and upgraded 512MB RAM), but Win7 runs at least as fast as XP was on it, and boots even faster. I've got some driver and software problems with it, but that relates to the very old and specialised hardware on the Sony. The UI is great, and pen input & handwriting recognition is superb right out of the box. I can't get Aero to run due to the old graphics hardware, but even without it, the eye candy looks good and doesn't slow down the system. Did I mention Win7 is fast? I'm a believer - I'm buying a copy when it comes out.