WSJ columnist Walt Mossberg is a big fan of Windows 7, and calls it the closest thing to a Mac like experience to ever come out of Redmond.
After using pre-release versions of Windows 7 for nine months, and intensively testing the final version for the past month on many different machines, I believe it is the best version of Windows Microsoft (MSFT) has produced. It’s a boost to productivity and a pleasure to use. Despite a few drawbacks, I can heartily recommend Windows 7 to mainstream consumers.
Like the new Snow Leopard operating system released in August by Microsoft’s archrival, Apple (AAPL), Windows 7 is much more of an evolutionary than a revolutionary product. Its main goal was to fix the flaws in Vista and to finally give Microsoft customers a reason to move up from XP. But Windows 7 is packed with features and tweaks that make using your computer an easier and more satisfying experience.
… In recent years, I, like many other reviewers, have argued that Apple’s Mac OS X operating system is much better than Windows. That’s no longer true. I still give the Mac OS a slight edge because it has a much easier and cheaper upgrade path; more built-in software programs; and far less vulnerability to viruses and other malicious software, which are overwhelmingly built to run on Windows.
Now, however, it’s much more of a toss-up between the two rivals. Windows 7 beats the Mac OS in some areas, such as better previews and navigation right from the taskbar, easier organization of open windows on the desktop and touch-screen capabilities. So Apple will have to scramble now that the gift of a flawed Vista has been replaced with a reliable, elegant version of Windows.
Interestingly, though, Mossberg notes that Windows 7 will not come with pre-installed with a number of applications that come standard on every Mac system, such as an email client, a photo program, and video editing software. Curiously, Microsoft will instead make these applications available as a free download to Windows users.
You can check out Mossberg’s full in-depth review over here.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:22 am
“Interestingly, though, Mossberg notes that Windows 7 will not come with pre-installed with a number of applications that come standard on every Mac system, such as an email client, a photo program, and video editing software. Curiously, Microsoft will instead make these applications available as a free download to Windows users.”
I believe this is because MS was sued for including these items, creating a monopoly of sorts. The really interesting thing is that it’s ok for Apple to do it.