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In-Depth With the Windows 7 Public Beta

Dozer writes "With the Windows 7 public beta out, Ars Technica has an in-depth look at the release. There's praise for Windows 7's UI changes and polish as well much-needed changes to UAC, but also a warning that those who have problems with Vista won't like Windows 7 much better. 'If you couldn't stand Vista's UI (whether it's because you didn't like Explorer, Aero, Control Panel, UAC, or anything else), Windows 7 is unlikely to do much to help, as it builds on the same UI. If Vista's hardware demands were too steep, Windows 7 will likely cause you the same grief, as its hardware demands match. And if Vista didn't work with a program or device you need to use, Windows 7 will offer no salvation, as its compatibility is virtually identical.'"

13 of 785 comments (clear)

  1. smithers! by ionix5891 · · Score: 4, Funny

    unleash the nerds!!

    1. Re:smithers! by pnevin · · Score: 5, Funny

      Your family videos won't play because of DRM - who are you, Brad Pitt?

    2. Re:smithers! by Daimanta · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Have you tried the CCCP codec pack with Media Player Classic?"

      No because I have ethical objections against communist software.

      --
      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
  2. Re:Hardware demands match? by XMode · · Score: 5, Funny

    MS will hold off on release until netbook manufacturers have high enough specs to run 7.. Duh!

  3. Ob XKCD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    xkcd 528:

    "What are you doing?"
    "Trying the Windows 7 Beta"
    "Why is it showing a picture of Hitler?"
    "I don't know. I can't get it to do anything else."
    "There's no UI?"
    "No, just Hitler."
    "Did you try Control-Alt-Delete?"
    "It just makes Hitler's eyes flash."
    "Huh... well, it's better than Vista."
    "True."

  4. Re:I don't understand... by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 5, Funny

    Er... this may seem like a stupid question, but what did they actually improve -- if not the things people were complaining about?

    Windows 7 Beta: Now with more hookers.*

    *Hookers available for tech journalists and reviewers only.

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  5. Biggest improvement by ustolemyname · · Score: 4, Funny

    Shutdown button... has the word "shutdown" on it. This is the biggest improvement over vista.

  6. Good analysis by JSmooth · · Score: 2, Funny

    As usual and excellent analysis by Ars. Here's my takeway

    The taskbar? That's it? That's why I should go to Vista/Windows 7? Ooof! All these wasted years with my inferior taskbar.

    It's like lasy year when the new BMW's came out and they had an improved cup-holder. Man I traded in my old one that day!

  7. Re:Hardware demands match? by MrNaz · · Score: 5, Funny

    So they're planning a release around 2045? Right about when pocket calculators can play Crysis.

    --
    I hate printers.
  8. Re:Hardware demands match? by Mista2 · · Score: 2, Funny

    You just need more powerful netbooks 8)

  9. Re:HATRED BOOTLOADER by Anpheus · · Score: 2, Funny

    You know after trying "linux" i thought is was somewhat okay, until i got to the BOOTLOADER!!!!!!!!!!1

    F**K the new bootloader, it is made in Stallman's usual contempt for other operating systems like Windows, and even sh*ts on OSX/Windows for loading. I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE THE NEW BOOTLOADER!!!!!!!!!

    grrrrrrrrrrr
    *more unintelligible sounds*

    (also my worst post)

    Editorial note: Setting up GRUB is typically a hit and miss process that involves multiple attempts, although this is largely a solved problem with the popular distros, I find it incredibly irritating that the default for nearly every distro is to overwrite the existing bootloader rather than attempt to use a more sane solution: add their OS to the existing bootloader when installing on a separate partition. I boot into Linux using the Windows bootloader (chain boots into GRUB.) Why can't this be a default option so that I don't have to worry about the fact that deleting my new, temporary Linux install will leave my machine unbootable?

  10. Re:Hardware demands match? by jaxtherat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Press Release: Redmnond announces Windows 7 takes up just 71% of hard drive, hailed as breakthrough!

    --
    http://www.zombieapocalypse.tv/
  11. Re:Windows 7 != Vista by joranbelar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow, if 7even is that much better than 6ix was, I can't wait until 8ight comes out.

    I only have 2wo questions for you: since you installed 3hree different versions (one even be4our it was officially released), did you find that 9ine times out of 10en, the 60ixty-4our bit version lacked driver support four your devices?

    And also, are you aware that the number "seven" does not, in fact, begin with a "7"?