Overview
With the release of the Windows 7 Beta Client on Friday, Microsoft servers were flooded with people trying to get their hands on the limited 2.5 million issues that were available to download.
Since Friday Microsoft have released their download on an unlimited basis so everyone can get their hands on the client although only one Beta key will be issues to each account and that key will only last until August.
I on the other hand stayed up until it was 12PM in America on Friday as that was when the client was released for download on the Microsoft site. Since then I have been having a look at the new Microsoft operating system so that I could share with all you lovely readers out there what just exactly is new in this operating system (OS).
Review
Style
Now when you first look at this the first thing that will pop into your head is ‘hmmm Vista’ and you would not be far wrong.
Ultimately it is exactly the same Vista user interface you will be using if you have recently brought a new PC/Laptop or have brought and installed the latest OS system from Microsoft so at least it's not a totally new experience like Vista was back in the days of its first release.
You will notice however that the taskbar has been changed somewhat, how it works in Windows 7 is that tasks are organized by their representing logo, such as the Internet Explorer ‘e’ with a Saturn type ring around it.
So if you have lets say two Internet Explorer windows running once minimized they will appear on the taskbar as the ‘e’ with the Saturn ring logo.
Hover over this and you will see your windows appear, allowing you to select the one you want or scroll through them in real time with the help of a fading out type sequence.
It seems they have got rid of the Aero style scrolling/tabbing option that comes with Vista and replaced it with this instead, which in my opinion gives a much more polished and smoother running feel to the whole experience and let’s not forget the huge amount of RAM this will save your precious computer.
One final thing style wise is that standard Microsoft programs have been given a whole overhaul, gone is the old styled paint package we all know and despise and only use until we download and install the freeware design package of our choice.
The new style introduces the latest user interface we all know of if we have ever used the latest Office 2007 package. Of course yes the windows button in the left hand corner thingy is back although it’s been replaced by the paint logo, but you’ll understand what I mean if you have used Office 2007. Plus the ribbon thing is there as well – aaaahhhhh.
Under the bonnet
Now I cannot go into to much detail as this is a Beta release and in no way reflects the final product that Microsoft will be releasing, whenever that is. But from what they were stating Windows 7 will need a requirement of a 1 GHz processor which is not too hard to come by these days and 1GB of RAM, again not that hard to come across.
The installation went as smoothly as can be expected with no delays whatsoever during the install of the Operating SystemThose used to installing Vista will be familiar with the experience.
So the PC I used to test this claim was an old Dell GX520 which has exactly 1GB of RAM and an old Pentium D class processor that runs at 2.80Ghz.
The results were surprising to say the least. First off it handled the interface without a hitch, with the taskbar working fine and scoring a overall Windows Experience Index rating of 3.2, which is not bad for a computer running on an in-built graphics card. That was the main reason for the result of 3.2 as it bases it on the lowest score from the test, with the test itself ranging from CPU performance as well as Hard Drive performance.
Finally I looked at the amount of RAM the system was using purely in Windows 7. Now in Vista you can expect it to use around 1GB if you are using the higher classed version such as Ultimate. I am basing it on Ultimate as this Beta version is duded the Ultimate Edition but it has not been disclosed yet if Windows 7 will use the same version scheme that Vista is using.
It seems that Windows 7 only uses around 512MB of RAM to run the operating system as it currently stands, this might change come the release of later Beta client’s or indeed the final version itself, but at the moment this is a monumental improvement of the current Vista OS and might mean that the days of Windows XP might be coming back to us making gaming a smooth experience once more.
Another nice improvement is the driver situation. Those of us that ran Vista for the first time had nothing but trouble trying to find drivers that worked on the OS and with some of us left out of pocket having to buy new hardware to get to work on Vista this left many people with a slight bee in their bonnet.
Windows 7 however seems to have no problems with drivers as once installed the Dell machine had all the drivers installed as soon as it booted up which left even me rather taken aback. I purposefully left the internet connection out during the installation process to see if drivers would prove an issue and to my surprise Windows 7 left me not wanting for anything.
The Gaj-It Verdict
Design 10/10
Usability: 9/10
Features: 10/10
Value: 9/10
We Say
For a Beta release this passes all expectations and puts Vista to shame. If left in its current state Windows 7 will make a nice new Operating System that people can enjoy. However bearing in mind this is a Beta, do not take these words wholly to heart and start classing Windows 7 as the next XP.
Keep your Hail Marys on standby until the product has finally been released, but keep praying that Microsoft keep to their design plan on this model.
All in all a good experience.