Windows 7 - To Buy or Not to Buy - That is the Question

So, Windows 7 has been out for a while now and you're probably asking yourself, "Am I missing out on the fun? Should I upgrade?"

First off, a generality about Windows 7: it's a renaming/re-branding of Windows Vista. No matter what smokescreen/clouds people tell you, it's really a VERY NICE upgrade to Windows Vista. When Vista came out, it was a completely different operating system, so much of hardware wasn't compatible, people needed new hardware (like new printers, new computers) and people complained a lot. With Windows 7, all hardware is Vista compliant, so it's Windows 7 compliant.

If you have Windows XP and you're generally happy with your system, I recommend staying with current system. More than likely, you won't have a powerful enough machine for Windows 7.

If you have Windows Vista system, and you've been unhappy with slowness of machine, you are a perfect candidate for Windows 7 upgrade.

If you're buying a new computer, make sure to get a Windows 7 machine. There are still some refurbished Desktops and Laptops with Vista. For Netbooks, I'd stay with Windows XP.

To see how you're computer will do with Windows 7, I suggest you run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

The Benefits of Windows 7
Faster Performance - You should see a major increase over Vista.

Digital Hub - You will find it much easier to connect network devices, such as digital music hubs, multiple computers, etc.

Improved Navigation - Strips out much of Vistas bloat and makes Navigation easier. You'll also see a thumbnail of each open window - when you move your mouse over icon in the bar below. You'll see a completely new taskbar which has improved functionality.

Better Compatibility - As mentioned, most of the compatibility bugs were worked out in Vista, so Windows 7 should work with most hardware and software products made from 2-3 years ago to present. If you have just 1-2 programs that will only run in Windows XP, get the free (amazingly) windows virtual pc software from Microsoft that let's you run Windows XP programs separately from Windows 7. Beware: this software could be a bit tricky to install.

Gestures (like iPhone, Macs). This means that if you have a screen you can touch (such as a tablet), you'll be able to touch icons, move icons and use other hand movements instead of using a mouse.

Music Streaming- From one Windows 7 to another Windows 7 machine is very easy. Only problem - you need to buy another Windows 7 computer to make this work!

Better Security - User Account Control (UAC) which made you approve ever little change, is now highly modifiable. You can have it be much less intrusive.

Need more info: Get a great list of Windows 7 Resource Guides

Great comparison - Windows XP vs Vista vs Windows 7

Oh, and did you think to yourself, "I think I'll just upgrade to Windows 7 from my Windows XP system. How hard can that be?" Well, it's not a simple answer. You'll either:

a) Have to do a clean install and re-install all your applications and data - thus wiping out your Windows XP

b) Do a "dual boot," which means you won't have access to your Windows XP data and will have to re-install all your applications - like Word, Excel, etc. . . .

Bottom line - I would only upgrade from XP to Windows 7 if you have a computer sitting around you don't mind if everything gets wiped off.

For more details on Windows XP - Windows 7.

Bye-bye, slow Vista Bus

Web Design Services & Featured Web Design Clients

Web Design Services

We are a full turnkey web design firm in addition to our Computer Repair Service. We've been doing sites as long as we've been in business. Much has changed from the old "using tables" days. We now do full CSS and usually have a CMS (Content Management System) so you can manage your own content, thus avoiding additional fees when you want to make the smallest change. We can also convert your site from a static site to a site where you can update all the time yourself. Just call us at 408.732.8500 for more info.

Our 2 Featured Web Design Clients

Sapience Organizational Consulting

Sapience is a major power house Organizational & Strategic consulting firm. They bring extensive experience, wisdom, and innovation to developing and implementing extraordinary organizational strategies and solutions in a seamless partnership with their clients. ITM Computing did their site in Joomla, which has an easy to use backend where they can do all the updates and upload

SO Organized, LTD.

Since 1996, Jody Berman, an organizer extraordinaire in New York, has been working with individuals and small business owners to identify, manage, work through and overcome life’s obstacles. Using organizing methods, processes and tools, her clients get more of what they want out of life. ITM Computing did her site in Joomla, which has an easy to use back end where she can do all the update. We then installed a Wordpress Blog so she could write about her business.

Apple does it again - New Macs - new iMacs

If you haven't been to the Apple Store recently, you must go and see these gorgeous machines. The new displays are incredible and the monstrous 27" iMac is unbelievable!! (That's more than two feet, the size of my cousin's toddler! But really, the screen is the only "monstrous" thing. Everything else is absolutely beautiful.)

On October 20th, Apple unveiled their new Apple Macbook notebook computer. How did they manage the new Macbook

so light with the super-serious battery? The most important change will be the new battery, a lithium polymer battery built right into the enclosure. Apple says you'll get up to 7 hours on a single charge, and even though the battery isn't removable, you'll manage to charge the battery 1,000 times before the battery dies the long death. The battery is warranted for 1 year after purchase. To replace battery, You need to either send the Mac back to Apple (3-4 day turnaround) or take it to store for same day replacement. Costs - $129 (13" & 15") - $179 (17") for new battery.

I'm gonna get onto a little techie soapbox here, because this is really important: In addition to the new, improved battery, the Apple Macbook will also get a graphical boost from an NVIDIA GeForce Mobility 9400M chipset, the same used in the smallest Macbook Pro 13-inch model. That graphics power will drive a new LED-backlit, 13.3-inch display, running at a 1280 by 800 pixel resolution, which should be great for watching HD movies at 720p or better. The new screen is all glossy, and sits flush with the glass bezel on the top lid of the notebook, just like on the new Macbook Pro models.

Unlike the Macbook Pros, the new Apple Macbook will be built with a polycarbonate plastic shell. Apple offers some non-slip resistance for their new plastic design to help the laptop stick to airline trays and laps. This machine gets a glass trackpad, without buttons, which supports up to 4 finger gestures (no snickering here). You just slide your fingers over the pad to make the mouse move.

The new Apple Macbook is only 1.08-inches thin and weighs 4.7 pounds. The notebook uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 2.26 GHz. The standard configuration ships with 2GB or DDR3 RAM and a 250GB hard disk drive, but you can bump both of those to 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive.

Honestly, we've seen $300 netbooks with better port selection. You get 2 USB 2.0 ports, an Audio In/Out port, Gigabit Ethernet and a mini DisplayPort. First of all, we'd like to see more USB ports, which isn't an unreasonable request for a $999 machine. Second, mini DisplayPort is a cruel choice for what is essentially the bargain Mac laptop. (DisplayPort monitors are rare, and adapters can be expensive.)
Fully loaded the new Macbook (list at $999) will cost you $1,250, with more RAM and HDD storage. As a comparison, the low end of the Windows 7 line of Laptops runs at $399. This low end Windows machine is bigger 15.4" compared to 13", heavier, has only 1-2 hour battery compared to 7 hour on Macbook, doesn't have the cool "class" of the Apple machine, and its screen will not be as classy as the Macbook. On the other hand, with it you can read your email, surf the web, go on Facebook and Twitter using wired and wireless connectivity.

FYI: Rumor has it there will be a huge sale on Macs, ONE DAY ONLY at the Mac store on 11/27/2009, Black Friday. Up to 30% off iPods, Up to 25% off Macs!

The competition continues to heat up: Snow Leopard is released; Mac's revamped line of its Macbook and iBook. Windows 7 was just released. You gotta love competition. Oh yeah: and the new iPod nano takes video! Pretty sweet, right?

Contest - 2 more Netbooks to give away!

We hit 300 fans quite easily. Now we need to get to 400 fans, so I can GIVE AWAY another Netbook. People think I'm CRAZY, since we have a struggling economy, people saving's have shrunk and I'm GIVING AWAY Netbooks. I figure it's the least I can do for the 13+ years of business my fans have given me.

So, spread the word. This is the easiest contest in the world to enter. Just click on "Become a Fan" when you reach my Facebook Page. If you're already a fan, you're entered and  pass it on, so more people will sign up and you will get your Netbook faster!

I currently have just over 373 fans. For each multiple of 100 fans, I will be giving away a great prize. For the next 2 multiples of 100 fans, I'll be giving away a Free Netbook. So, at 400, and 500 fans, I'll be putting everyone's name in a hat and you'll get a Netbook - at no charge!! We'll even have it virus-protected upon delivery. Contestants must be living in the US or Canada to win. Past winners are not eligible.