So Microsoft is gearing up for their next release of Windows. This release has some big shoes to fill being the first major release since Windows Vista. Vista was blessed with slow performance, long load times and the thirst for memory. Windows 7 will have to impress people more than Vista did if it’s going to be as successful as Microsoft hopes.
In this mini review I will touch on a bunch of features and improvements made to Windows 7. It will be kind of like my Vista review but this time I have it installed on a PC that can handle the Aero interface so the experience is much better and is closer the intended experience that one is suppose to get.
All images to follow are of a Microsoft Operating System and are therefore completely at the discretion of Microsoft to ask for them to be removed if they feel that free speech is wrong.
Background Info
| Computer Specifications | Lenovo ThinkPad R61i |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2390 1.86 GHZ |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Video | Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family 64 MB |
| Sound | Conexant High Definition Audio |
| HDD | 80 GB |
Desktop
Windows 7 has had its desktop updated another step past Vista. The Taskbar has been revamped, the Start Menu has been improved so the user can see the search results better as well the Side Bar has been removed, but the gadgets still function on the desktop as if they were just dragged off of the bar. Figure 1 shows my desktop, I have 2 monitors running, the Internal 1280 x 800 display, as well as, a 1280 x 1024 external monitor, the difference is the massive black edges.
Figure 1: My Desktop
The Start Menu
Windows Vista changed the way the start menu is used. Not only could the user select programs and common places on their computer but they could also search for said programs, locations and even files that were in the Windows Search Index. Windows 7 improves on these changes and adds some convince to the start menu when it comes to searching and recently used programs. In Figure 2 the new Start Menu has the improved Shut Down button and a slightly changed look from Vista.
Figure 2: The Start Menu
Searching in the Start Menu, Figure 3, expands the viewing area and shows the user more viewing area for the results instead of squishing them in the little white space. This seems a lot cleaner then how it is done in Vista because it improves read ability.
Figure 3: Search in Start Menu
Taskbar
The Taskbar was also updated to include a new design, as well as, some handy features. The Taskbar is now, by default, made up of rectangles with the program’ icon on it that expands into a property window, Figure 4 with live preview and the ability to close each window associated with the process. In contrast, Vista had the old style Taskbar that came before it, but added support for live previews and preview scrolling through the use of Win + T. Windows 7 also introduced a container for system try icons instead of hiding them behind an expanding arrow. The container pops up above the Taskbar allowing the user quick access to the programs contained. There is also a show desktop button in the lower right that allows quick access to the desktop with one click, just like the Show Desktop button in previous versions of Windows.
Figure 4: New Taskbar with Previews
Programs
Some programs have also been updated. These include the calculator, Figure 5, getting a makeover and some new function modes including programmer mode, statistics mode along with the classics, standard and scientific mode.
Figure 5: Calculator in Programmer Mode
Microsoft’s ever persistent Paint got a face lift, Figure 6, along with WordPad. Both have had a hybrid ribbon bar similar to that of Office 2007 added. The hybrid part is they have many functions still available in the upper left menu and not all in the ribbon.
Figure 6: Microsoft Paint
The next few Images are to give an example of how some stuff looks on Windows 7.
Figure 7: System Information
Figure 8: Firefox 3.0.5 on Windows 7
Other Changes
This list is by no means complete, if there is anything specific you want me to look at/investigate drop me a comment.
One of the main noted changes is the reorganization on the network architecture with a new Wireless network selector and a reworked Network and Sharing Center (NSC). Windows Vista’s NSC, Figure 9, was always a pain to have to go into and hunt for features. Microsoft cleaned it up and made it easier to find certain features, Figure 10. But at the same time they hid some others in a list of menus. Namely the sharing options for files.
Figure 9: Windows Vista NSC
Figure 10: Windows 7 NSC
Windows Media Player (WMP) has been updated to version 12 in Windows 7, Figure 11. Windows Vista came with WMP version 11 so this is a natural progression for the media player. I have not used it to the extent that I could have. From a quick glance it has an updated interface that integrates well in the new Windows Explorer view that was introduced in Windows Vista.
Figure 11: Windows Media Player 12
As well, the Now Playing window seems have been removed with the replacement being the conversion to a video window that, when the video finishes is like the Windows Media Center interface showing the playlist, Figure 12.
Figure 12: Video Playback in WMP 12
The old Taskbar based media controller has been updated with the new live previews system. Now the live preview shows Previous, Play/Pause and Next buttons that allow the user to control their media without taking up a chunk of the Taskbar, Figure 13. It also shows live video.
Figure 13: WMP Live Controls
Other features include the ability to shack a window back and forward twice with the mouse and it will toggle minimizing and maximizing of the other windows. As well, if you drag a window to the side of the screen it will blow it up into a column and it will maximize if dragged to the top. When it hits the side of the screen it has a little tapping animation tickles the users eyes and a transparent preview of the resizing is displayed.
Conclusion
All in all I am quite impressed with Windows 7 and the improvements that Microsoft has made to their operating system. It is defiantly an improvement over Vista and I think users who are willing to try new things will enjoy it. This review is not complete with all the new bells and whistles that are new and improved in Windows 7, more of an overview with some pictures. Please feel free to leave a comment with your opinions about this new OS and what you think will be its fate. Will it succeed where Vista could not?
