Windows 7 RC1 dates confirmed

[Rik]

According to El Reg.

Stable and completed code for Windows 7 will be released to early adopters during the coming week, with mass availability planned for the following Tuesday.

The eagerly awaited Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 will be posted to members of Microsoft's Developer Network and TechNet for download on April 30. RC1 will be made generally available on May 5, Microsoft said late Friday.

[Sebby]

I was reading some stuff about this on The Register the other day, and noticed that quite a lot of people were complaining at how long Microsoft take to actually release an OS, despite it being virtually finished. It's a shame that people don't appreciate how much more there is to do than complete the code.

Anyhow, it's nice to see Windows 7 progressing nicely. I've got a good feeling about it.

[Rik]

The good feeling being that you won't have to run it?

[Simon]

  Even when it is released, it's only half finished!

[Sebby]

The good feeling being that you won't have to run it?

I'm happy to give Microsoft credit for this one, because I think they've done a good job (from what I've seen). But you're right, I won't be running it.

[Gary]

My friend who works for MS in Seattle had a lot to do with the Xbox and windows live, and also windows 7 and he thinks its not worth upgrading to, Vista and 7 are virtually the same in fact at a recent convention when users terminals were switched people did not notice the difference straight away, built off the same code base but tweaked to keep the tried it once hated Vista at release brigade quiet, and also admittedly to handle memory better and add  some good new features and to shake of the unforgiving Vista bashing which comes from many who never used it after SP1 anyway, so Microsoft needed a PR fix in its new OS which they have done and yes it will be better than Vista, but it's nothing so revolutionary as to make it a must have upgrade unless you are buying a new PC this Autumn. Memory is cheap and Vista runs fine if you have a machine that has a good CPU and 2GB ram and a half decent video card, and also never loaded it after its first release date, most people know an OS is not finished until at least SP1, by which time its reached its half life these days, if you like bug hunting then by all means be a beta tester with the first release of a new OS. .

To the man in the street who just has basic PC needs, my friends suggestion is If you have Vista stay with it, It works its safer than XP by a mile, and that's good enough for most people. If you want a new machine get a Macbook and that's from a Microsoft employee but he has deeper pockets than most and can afford the extra outlay. As for myself Windows 7 is another multicoloured money pit, no way I'm buying it, upgrading your OS was fun when I liked spending hours reformatting clean without an image to get that new OS feeling, oh the delight of spending 12 hours plus getting it all up and running the way you like with all your software and special tweaks  now my wife, my home, my comfort and my garden are far more important, as is my health and above all keeping any wealth I  have. Anyway in two years or so we will have Windows 8 or what ever they will call it, I see a pattern developing here with £ signs attached to it, what's the point of throwing good money after bad. XP is very old, but people still use it happily and it does what they want it to, but Windows 7 will kill XP off I think, Macs are beautiful (mac pros are just sexy) but hugely expensive and can't replace a PC in that price range sadly, gamers will pay over £2400 for a PC, and a Mac pro is not a gamers delight even with an Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor or two Xeons if you need that much power, but in frames per second a pc costing a good £500 or so less will be a better fit. So if you are graphic artist or amazingly rich with very deep pockets then the Mac pro is the beast to have.

  I'll stick with my laptop for now. I am a cynic I admit that, but it suits me fine. I see no point in having the next best thing anymore, by the time you purchase a new OS which is always after it's first service pack and never at its release its halfway to being obsolete these days, what is the point. If its not broken, don't fix it 

[Rik]

Amen. 

[quandam]

Gary

Great summing up of the situation. Particularly like "As for myself Windows 7 is another multicoloured money pit,", aptly put!

[Sebby]

Not many are going to be upgrading to Windows 7 anyway, Gary, because not many people have adopted Windows Vista. Fact. I appreciate what you're saying, but I have used both Vista and Windows 7, and I find Vista impossible to live with, and Windows 7 rather pleasant.

I don't believe for a minute that Windows 7 is a multi-coloured money pit, but rather Microsoft's attempt to save itself from the failure that is Vista.

[Sebby]

Interestingly, just seen this on The Register. Another reason for people to make the move from XP.

[Rik]

It smacks a bit of desperation, doesn't it Seb.

[Sebby]

A little. It's almost like they're trying anything to get people to give up XP!

[Rik]

Exactly. The problem is that, for most people, XP does what they need, is pretty stable and works with their apps.

[Sebby]

Indeed. I still don't see a compelling reason/need for my office, for example, to make the move (that's not to say that I don't think Windows 7 is better).

[Rik]

Which is why MS are struggling, Seb, businesses don't see a compelling argument to upgrade - and the recession won't help either.

[Simon]

If I were to buy a new computer, and it had W7 on it, I'd try to live with it, but I'm certainly not upgrading for the sake of it. 

[Den]

I love the forward thinking people on here, always willing to try something new and then keep at it until they master it. Now me I happy with my Amiga and can see no reason to change yet. 

[Simon]

[Gary]

Not many are going to be upgrading to Windows 7 anyway, Gary, because not many people have adopted Windows Vista. Fact. I appreciate what you're saying, but I have used both Vista and Windows 7, and I find Vista impossible to live with, and Windows 7 rather pleasant.

I don't believe for a minute that Windows 7 is a multi-coloured money pit, but rather Microsoft's attempt to save itself from the failure that is Vista.

I meant the constant upgrading as in a new OS with  nothing truly amazing apart from a virtual xp mode which does not make any difference to me, makes it a multicoloured moneypit for myself. I appreciate what Microsoft are trying to do, and it is a bit desperate, Vista had bad press fair enough, but it works fine now for most with newer hardware, I appreciate your experiences with it though Sebby, but like so many things, a bad name sticks and the online media love to bash something Microsoft, and people join a bandwagon and give it grief who have not tried it, rather like the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross frenzy, most who complained had not heard the broadcast.  Its just wasting money trying to keep up all the time if what you have works, I feel stick with it. For Vista users there is nothing tempting really its not a major upgrade and as its built off the same code with some tweaks its not going to be, for XP users if you want to upgrade then 7 will be the one Except you will need to wipe your drive and upgrade as their is no actual upgrade path from XP but its always best to do a clean install anyway, but as usual I am sure early adopters will find snags and bugs, its bound to happen which is why Business and most end users wait for SP1. A new OS every two years though is not financially viable for most of us, or indeed needed considering how long XP lasted.

[Sebby]

I appreciate what you're saying, Gary. The thing is, I'd say you're in a minority being happy with Vista, not the other way round. Microsoft simply wouldn't have rushed out Windows 7 if Vista had been a success. It's not just media bashing, it is effectively a failed OS.

I can understand you not seeing the need to upgrade - after all, you're happy with Vista - but for the majority who have either stuck with XP or do not like Vista, it's a very viable move.