VENI, VIDI, VISTA: Upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 doesn't require new hardware. This is unique in the history of Windows and should be done!
Even though Windows 8 is peeking over the horizon, there's been a lot of internet chatter lately about the benefits of upgrading from Vista to Windows 7.
While history tells us there is always a lag as Windows users defer upgrading their operating system until they are sure the latest version is worth using/shelling out good money for, it seems many Vista users are more than keen to move away from their underperforming and widely panned incarnation of Windows.
Even though Windows 7 has been out a while now, enough Vista-based computers were sold to ensure they will be gracing our workshop benches for a long time yet, despite many users taking the sensible option of an XP downgrade Microsoft was offering buyers at the time (which was Microsoft's back-handed acknowledgement that Vista wasn't as popular as hoped).
Even as Windows 8 internet spin intensifies, the implementation of this new version of Windows will no doubt follow the same pattern – a relatively small number of users jumping in feet first while the majority wait until the more pressing bugs have been ironed out (typically when Service Pack 1 is released). Even then we upgrade only when (or if) we need to, such as when we buy a new machine and there is no other option available.
Considering Windows 8 will be a significant departure in the way previous versions of Windows look and work, the uptake by users may not be as fast or as widespread as we have witnessed in the past. Then again, we are a fickle public and one never knows; it may fly off the shelves.
Back in the real world, Vista users who have done homework are learning their machines may actually run better with Windows 7 installed. If pushed, I agree. In simple terms, Windows 7 is a new and improved version of Vista, using much of the same core code (meaning many device drivers designed for Vista will likely work for Windows 7) but slimmer. This means 7 offers better performance than Vista when installed on the same hardware.
This means punters can keep their existing machines going a lot longer (and running better to boot – no pun intended) by simply upgrading the operating system, a unique scenario in Windows history.
In the past, upgrading Windows usually also meant buying new hardware in order to maintain the performance levels we were used to. Internet and industry wags made great mileage out of the fact users had to buy more RAM and/or bigger hard drives and processors just so they could upgrade to and run the latest version of Windows.
At the moment Vista users have a "get out of jail free" card because they don't need to buy anything but Windows 7 in order to go faster.
Jaded Windows users think there must be a catch; how can the marketing and sales people let this happen?
However, it isn't really "for nothing". You have to shell out for the Windows 7 upgrade – but if we don't have to fork out for a new computer in order to run it then it does cut a sweet deal. In fact, I cannot think of one argument against doing such a thing. If I was running Vista (and I know many individuals and corporations still do) I would be migrating to Windows 7 just because I could, and I'm one of those rare punters who ran Vista for a few years and actually appreciated it.
However, before I get flamed again with people telling me I don't know (which is what happened last time I mentioned I didn't hate Vista), I have to say my Vista was chopped and channelled and bore little resemblance to the bloated, Brando/Elvis-in-their-later-years, out-of-the-box version of Vista.
The short answer is it is well worth upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 on the same machine
source:stuff.co.nz
