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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 PRODUCT REVIEW 
4

Windows 7: Finally, an End to Vista Misery

'New' Microsoft OS is major improvement, say critics

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(Newser) – Microsoft is rolling out a successor to Vista, its universally reviled operating system, with Windows 7 now available in a relatively bug-free beta download. Early users report that the new edition is a marked improvement. David Pogue, in the New York Times, says Windows 7 ends “a big part of the Vista misery,” and Walt Mossberg, in the Wall Street Journal, claims it “leaves Vista in the dust.”

The new OS retains Vista’s streamlined look, but runs far faster and does away with many of the pesky nag screens that infuriated users. Windows 7 also includes a Mac-style application dock, and even supports touch-screen navigation with a compatible monitor. Pogue calls Windows 7 “Vista with whole heck of a lot of refinement,” while Mossberg goes further: “It’s a serious competitor, in features and ease of use, for Apple’s current Leopard operating system.”

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Windows 7 as he delivers the keynote address at the International Consumer Electronics Show on Jan. 7, 2009, in Las Vegas.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Windows 7 as he delivers the keynote address at the International Consumer Electronics Show on Jan. 7, 2009, in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo)
A screenshot of the beta edition of Windows 7, Microsoft's successor to Vista.
A screenshot of the beta edition of Windows 7, Microsoft's successor to Vista.   (©Justin Brockie)
A screenshot of the beta edition of Windows 7, Microsoft's successor to Vista.
A screenshot of the beta edition of Windows 7, Microsoft's successor to Vista.   (©Senpa)
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4 comments
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anchower
Jan 22, 09 2:50 PM CST
I have a Vista machine and it works fine. On this point, I have to agree with Sen. Gramm. Nation of whiners. Reply
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+1
Mad
Jan 22, 09 9:05 PM CST
Gramm's statement showed just how out of touch republicans are. M$ must've also felt Vista was lacking, or why change? Stay with your slow bloatware, the rest of the world will stay current Reply
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-1
riffran
Jan 23, 09 5:40 AM CST
What ....no more dos 6.22?...dang it now I gotta upgrade to actually having a hard drive, instead of a 5in floppywill 7 fit on a 500meg hard drive?........he he....just kidding.....with a few exceptions Vista was buggy Reply
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-2
AClotfelter
Jun 25, 09 12:10 PM CDT
Vista is great, and just to prove it, everyone is loving Windows 7, which is just a slight upgrade to Vista. I should know, unlike most people who bitch about Vista, I have actually been using it (for 3 years) and support 50 users who run it as well. I also have been running Windows 7 for a few months, and the changes are cosmetic. Reply
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