Microsoft Windows 7 user reviews (Ultimate)

Pros There is a lot more in it than I could have ever expected.
- It runs extremely smoothly
- Very User Friendly
- It's Taskbar will completely destroy Apple's Mac OS X's doc.

Cons - Overpriced?

Pros * The new taskbar (way better than OSX Dock)
* Better driver support through windows update
* Snappier than any other OS in market
* New Windows Explorer is more usuable and concept of 'Libraries' is amazing (OSX's finder sucks in comparison)

Cons * Sometimes it reads from hard drive too often (OSX is better in this area)

Summary I like Windows 7 because of it's more intuitive and faster than XP, Vista, Ubuntu and OSX Leopard. The new taskbar is the most amazing tool in Windows 7.

Pros Seems like great software during these early days of use... so much better than Vista.

Cons Frightening hidden cost of upgrade.

Summary Many of us have been disappointed and genuinely angry about Windows Vista: it has useless features, complexities and problems that make its use more than a problem. The reaction has ranged from "can I return this to the manufacturer" to passive frustration in near silence and now to "there's a solution out there called Windows 7... and it could not be worse than Vista... and maybe it's better".

Many of us also pay for extended warranty protection and both hardware and software support. I am one of those buyers who has tended to pay extra amounts up front to "protect my investment" and hopefully make the use of my laptops less difficult and more problem free, knowing that the up front cost can be steep and "problem free" a rare and temporary state of affairs.

This is the case with a Dell laptop (Model XPS M1530) I purchased in the last year and for which paid the substantial additional cost of a supplemental warranty and service contract extending through 2011 for the laptop/hardware, software and the extended support. Last week I finally decided after considerable deliberation to purchase Windows 7 and through Dell's live on-line service communicated with an engineering service representative who was more than delighted to sell me the Windows 7 package, which comes in various "strengths" and hence at various price points.

I had done some homework on the Microsoft website which had what appeared to be slightly lower costs but made the decision to buy from Dell keeping my purchases within the "sphere" of Dell and its contractual performance obligations. The Dell sales person told me to contact Dell when I received the discs and that they would help me to install the "custom" version of the software. When I attempted to seek their help several days later they informed me that their "help" on installation would cost me $129 per hour, which was not disclosed up front.

Even worse Dell has subsequently informed that because I purchased the software from "Dell Retail", a "separate company" my warranty coverage on the laptop's operating system is no longer in effect and that I must now pay $129 per hour for support relating to software problems... a loss of warranty and a cost that was never disclosed to me. So not only did I lose value from the original extended service contract but I paid $340 for the Windows 7 software that will now cause me to pay service fees I was never informed of.

I put all this out there as a warning to those who may be confronting the same decision. Dell's lack of disclosure may well violate Massachusetts Consumer Protection laws as well as those in New York and California. Even if it does not constitute violation of any laws it demonstrates a "way of doing business" that is deplorable, disgusting and foul. Many of us don't mind paying additional sums for good perforamnce and service but we do not like material information withheld from us an any point especially when we are making a purchase decision.

The Dell people have referred to this outcome as their "company policy".

Pros Faster compared to vista in all means. The new features included like the taskbar and libraries helps you organize your file very well.

Cons Other than the price I don't think there are much cons. I just love to use it.I am not a microsoft fan but hats off to them this time, they have done a fantastic job!

Summary Right from install, you sense that this OS by microsoft is going to be really good. Easy to install. No need to spend time installing the drivers separately. Using the hardware will automatically install the drivers necessary for it, by searching your hard disk. The new taskbar, even thought seems to be different, will make the whole experience a truly enjoyable one. Another feature truly amazing are the libraries. They allow you to access multiple folders from different drives in the same screen removing the need to open individual screens for it. Dragging the window and releasing it on the top or sides automatically re sizes the window which I thought was really cool. Plus the automatic background changer is another feature that gets noticed very easily. To top it all, the aero experience is very welcoming.

So, it's a sure yes if your confused whether to start using Windows 7. It'll give you