Computers & Networking

[Matthew-BBY]

With the upcoming release of Microsoft Windows 7 we understand that there is some confusion about the new release and also some questions about that the difference is between Windows Vista and Windows 7. If you have questions about Windows 7 please let us know and we will do our best to get you the answer. You can also check out the blog that we have started about Windows 7.

Click here to visit the blog.

[Sunny]

Yes I have a question....

Other than a lot of crap like the new IE 8 which is free anyway and some software which is of no value for many people.. why would I pay now $49 in order to get it "first" in a couple of months? The full price which it will cost if I don't order it now is only an estimate... so it might very possibly be sold at BB for just a little more than the $49 it costs to preorder it right now.

Other than using less resources I don't see any value.

BTW I'm using Vista anyway for the last two years already.

cg

[Neihn Valued Contributor]

The final pricing of Windows 7 was released last week. You are saving about 70 dollars by preordering Home premium and 100 dollars by preordering Home Professional. Pricing is as Follows:

Windows 7 Upgrade

Home Premium - 119

Home Professional - 199

Ultimate - 299

Windows 7 Full Version

Home Premium - 199

Home Professional - 299

Ultimate - 399

The using less resources in a big part of it not to mention its stability and performance is much better then Vista.But the increased performance is helped by the fact it uses less resources so your CPU/RAM/GPU can do other things that normally were tied up in Vista.

[asandwhich]

Will major adobe products run on 7 well? Im speaking of premeire pro, after effects, flash, and more.  If so, which version would be better, home premium, or professional?

[Neihn Valued Contributor]

I cant say with 100% on some Adobe products but the ones i have tested have all worked flawlessly The ones I have used are Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop. Fireworks, and Acrobat. In most cases though if it works on Windows Vista it will work on Windows 7. Windows 7 is not a massive overhaul like Vista was to XP. The underlying code in Windows 7 is pretty much Windows Vista with some tweaks. Most diagnostic utilities even recognize Windows 7 as Windows Vista.

Oh yeah the versions i used were CS3 and CS4.

As far as which version that is your choice: Here are a few features that are available to Professional Edition that will not be in the Home Premium:

1. Recover your data easily with Automatic Backup to your home and business network.

2. Connect to company networks more easily and securely with Domain Join.

3. Run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode.

Now I will go on to explain a couple things more clearly.

Explaination for Number 2 - This is ONLY for Network Domains. It will have no effect on setting up a home network you can still setup a workgroup on Home Premium, you just can not connect to a Domain Controller. This is only for systems that are connecting to a Domain Controller, i cna not stress this enough.

Explaination on 3 - Do NOT confuse Windows XP Mode with Windows XP Compatibility mode. Windows XP Mode is a Virtual Machine of Windows XP. Essenstially you are running both Windows 7 and running windows XP from within Windows 7. Compatibility mode is still there in all editions of Windows 7.

If you have no need now or in the near future I would save the money and get Home Premium. If you think you may use these features in the future get Professional.

Hope this helps you.

[darthgonzo7]

Would Windows XP Mode be able to assist those who have had so many problems with program use based on 32bit or 64bit Vista? If so, that is more then enough reason right there to shell out the extra few bucks for Professional.

[Neihn Valued Contributor]

Yes Darthgonzo, And that is precisly why Microsoft has added it. And it is a fully functional licensed copy of XP in case any one was wondering. It should also be noted however that in order for it to work your computers CPU has got to support Virtualization. Not all CPU's support this. Here is a list of Intel processors, CPU's with a yes next to them support Virtualization.

As far as AMD processors I have not seen a list breakdown like the Intel one but only a statement from AMD:

“With the exceptions of Sempron-branded processors and Turion K8 Rev E processors, all notebook processors shipped by AMD include AMD-V and therefore support Windows 7 XP mode."

"With the exceptions of Sempron-branded processors and pre-Rev F Athlon branded processors, all of the desktop processors shipped by AMD include AMD-V and therefore support Windows 7 in XP mode."

"Also, all AMD Opteron processors shipped by AMD from Rev F forward include AMD-V."

Bottom line with AMD - if it is a DDR2 and is not a Sempron, then it has AMD-V

[Jacob-BBY Community Connector]

@asandwhich - I have used premiere, flash, photoshop, indesign and acrobat and they work without a problem.  I have not ran into one program that will not work yet.  Keep in mind Windows 7 has a Windows XP mode for older software (have not had to use yet).

As far as for which version to get, I recommend taking a look at the comparison chart and see what features you need.

[jason926]

I'd like to get the professional version if it costs less. I thought it was not available  until the fall of 09'?

[darthgonzo7]

October 22nd to be exact but you can pre-order a copy of it on BB.com for a substantially discounted rate.