[The News Bot]

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer kicked off the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas by announcing the first public release of Windows 7.
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[Alicatt]

Downloading it ....

[m4rkie23]

looks very polished and quick. hope it is as good in real life!

[zinger5]

it will be interesting to see if they can do better with Windows 7 than Vista.

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by zinger5

it will be interesting to see if they can do better with Windows 7 than Vista.

For Vista users I bet they will
For XP users who refuse to even consider Vista is better in some ways, it's doubtful

This article puts it well:

If you love Windows XP, you’ll hate Windows 7 | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com

Also:

Six Vista annoyances fixed in Windows 7 | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com
Six new annoyances introduced in Windows 7 | Hardware 2.0 | ZDNet.com

One failure is that it’s hard to tell the difference between apps that are running and shortcuts that have been pinned to the taskbar.

This can be configured, so it's not big deal.

[scrapbook]

When are we likely to see this appear on new PC's?

[Steven]

2009 or 2010 depending on who you believe
Microsoft finally confirms Windows 7 for 2010 launch - Engadget
Windows 7 to arrive next year, says Bill Gates - Engadget

Despite Microsoft always being quick to point to the sales figures for Vista, it would appear those who stayed with XP and skipped Vista may be in for a treat with W7

Though it is worth remembering many features were taken out of Vista

[Chanser]

Apparently they're planning doing the upgrade program in July, so around that area?

[Matt306]

The thing is, Windows XP does everything the vast majority of businesses want. The features in Windows vista and 7 won't increase the productivity of their employees and only marginal improvements for IT departments in admin/maintainance. Therefore it's difficult for business to justify upgrading, this has the knock on effect that consumers are hesitant to adopt an OS that looks different to what they use at work.

[samhain]

I have had Windows 7 for a wee while now and I am a vista user. As far as I am concerned Windows 7 is better in every way for my needs. Vista is an overbloated piece of code that runs like a dog.

I don't need an operating system that has the kitchen sink thrown in, I need a fast, clean and simple solution. Windows 7 will definately take me away from Vista. XP will close down , no doubt about it. Those who missed Vista might as well wait for the code that Vista should have been

[notofu]

sounds not three bad, as long as i doesn't include IE with it damn popups/trojans