Your computer's Operating System is vital, as it governs the way that hardware and software work together.
Windows 7 (W7) is Microsoft's latest mainstream offering. Here we offer you 11 reasons to consider upgrading if you're currently using Windows XP or Vista.
1 ) Microsoft will stop supporting XP early in 2014. Before then XP is likely to start dating, get more buggy and less secure.
2 ) Vista is generally held to be a flawed, inefficient and relatively slow operating system. If you are upgrading it's worth going for the latest one.
3 ) W7 has many new and useful features, free downloadable extras and a more modern look. It will run the latest programmes better, whilst XP and Vista may not run them at all.
4 ) W7 is known to be stable, reliable and user-friendly. It needs Windows Updates less often.
5 ) You can also run W7 on a Windows touchscreen PC, laptop or tablet PC.
6 ) It's hard to buy a new non-W7 computer, except for an Apple Mac, from a mainstream retailer.
7 ) Microsoft's free, downloadable Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser can securely scan your PC, laptop and any connected devices to check if they will work with W7. It generates a printable report setting out your upgrading options and next steps.
8 ) Both free and paid-for advice and support with upgrading are available. You'll need to decide how to safeguard or transfer any pictures, music, videos, email and documents that are stored on your old computer.
9 ) A steadily increasing number of home and business users are switching. Your W7 computer will work better with them, especially if it shares a wired or wireless network.
10 ) If you don't want to switch from Windows to the excellent Mac OSX, which runs on Apple MacBooks and iMacs, a mid-range or better W7 computer offers comparable features for less money and saves having to learn to use a markedly different computer system.
11 ) Microsoft has announced, but not yet launched, its next-generation Windows 8 operating system. It will work best on touchscreen devices such as handheld tablets whilst W7 is likely to remain the operating system of choice for desktop PCs and laptops for years to come. XP launched in 2001 and will have lasted 13 years. W7 is its reliable equivalent for the 2010s.
PC PAL is offering advice about upgrading to Windows 7. We can also help you to check your existing computer’s compatibility with W7 and to work out the how, when and what of switching. Because we fix and maintain, rather than sell, computers we are vendor neutral and offer unbiased advice on makes and models that will suit your budget and requirements. This advice is based on our many years’ experience supporting Windows users in a variety of home, business and other settings. We’re happy to accompany you to a local computer retailer or to assist you to buy online. Finally we can advise you on and, if you prefer, set up hardware and install Windows 7 computing.
Please call your local PC PAL engineer, who is a Windows specialist, or visit pcpal.co.uk for more information about us and our services near you. We look forward to helping you to switch to Windows 7.
You’ll be in seventh heaven.
For a longer version of this article please click here
Written by Bruce Meredeen, PC PAL Tunbridge Well & Wealden
