Running Win 7, won't be looking back.

Hi everyone.

Despite the initial skepticism I had prior to installing the Beta of Windows 7, here I am, three weeks into running it on our Laptop and I have to say: I'm impressed!

I like the intuitive new features like the Superbar as well as the invisible windows feature. This feels more sprightly compared to Vista and it actually eats less resources. Gaming on Red Alert 3 has improved, albeit an average of an FPS or two, but that in itself shows that there is something going on with the WDDM 1.1 drivers.

I appreciate how the new boot sequence looks like and how the start menu items each have their own recent documents list.

I have noticed that the batteries run out fast on this Beta though. On Vista, I used to put the lappy to sleep for three, even four days and when I resume, it has only taken around 5% off of the power, whereas now, if I leave it on sleep for even 6 hours, it would've taken off the same amount.

There is a nice "Send Feedback" link on each window beside the control boxes and this makes it easy for me to let MS know exactly how I feel about this Beta.

I'll be writing more as I test the programs I usually use on a Daily basis and see if there are any issues cropping up.

I wonder how I'll cope when the Beta ends on August. For sure, I'll be one of those who'll be preordering Windows 7. :)

Windows 7 :Vista SP2 in disguise?

There has been talk on the net that Microsoft's latest follow-up to Vista, which it calls Windows 7, is but Vista SP2 repackaged.

Based on the Engineering Windows 7 blog, this may not be true, but based on some people who have the beta of Win7 (which we can't verify if it is legal or not), they don't see much difference between the two OSes, GUI-wise. Sure, they mention better over-all performance but it might as well be what SP2 did to XP, which gave it a better performance in addition to security.

What gives me an inkling that there is a different configuration under the hood is the numerous people looking for device drivers after installing beta Win7s - that hints on a different OS, since if it was the same as Vista, then the existing Vista drivers would have sufficed.

Anyway, it is not for me to judge whether or not the speculations are true, but I am excited about this OS. I have been following the E7 blog ever since it started last August and it would be an understatement to say I'm very stoked about the features and improvements being incorporated into it.

It would be great to know your thoughts about this, too.

Wishing you all...

...a prosperous, healthy and happy New Year.