Hi Windows OS Experts,

Not being the worlds greatest expert regarding computers and their operating systems I ask that you bear with me while I ask the questions below.

I am from the UK and have just received an invitation to pre-order the new Windows 7 OS.

I already own Vista Home Premium (which cost £120 ($200) and have used it as a separate OS and a dual boot OS with XP Home. Unfortunately I have found quite a number of problems using Vista, as I believe many users have. At present I am continuing to use XP.

The Vista series has only been out in the UK for about 18 months and I am at a loss as to why MS have considered it necessary to develop and release yet another OS so soon after Vista. Is it because there has been so many problems with Vista?

Many users I believe have Beta Tested Windows 7 and I am hoping those users can help with information about the difference between Vista and Windows 7. Is Windows 7 a better OS than Vista and is it more stable? Also is it easier to use?

What does Windows 7 do that Vista does not and does Windows 7 do everything that Vista does?

Finally, my PC is mostly for home use and I spend a great deal of time on the Internet and if I find it necessary or advantageous to purchase and use Windows 7 which system would it be advisable to use, Home Basic E, Professional E, or Ultimate E? (What does the 'E' stand for?)

Your help with these questions will be most appreciated.

Poseidon

In my opinion, don't bother purchasing it separately at all.
Best idea would to purchase a new system with it preinstalled, as there is NO upgrade path from XP to Win7, so a clean install is required.

Now why should you consider Win7/
Well it does everything (almost) that we were promised with Vista, but does it right.
Looked at it as a fully polished version of vista, with all of the good stuff and not so much of the rubbish.

For Curlyben

Thank you for an excellent and concise reply.

You have given me the info I need.

I have no problem with clean installs for XP, Vista or Windows 7, in fact I believe 7 requires a clean install.

From what you say it will be a better OS than Vista, with all the useless or unnecessary garbage removed.

I do feel somewhat conned by MS though as they first of all released Vista undoubtedly knowing that the system had many gremlins. Unsuspecting punters bought the system only to find out what those problems were.

Now we are expected to pay out again to get an OS which is right and will run with fewer problems. I feel that MS should have concentrated on getting Vista right prior to releasing it and simply updated it as and when necessary.

Now by releasing Windows 7 I feel MS is expecting us to buy this new OS in order to pay for their mistakes with Vista.

Windows 7 must have been in development at the time Vista was released and I feel MS should have waited for that to be right and simply scrapped Vista, even though millions would have been wasted it would have been better to release a good system which would have enhanced the MS reputation rather than release something which caused so may problems.

You point about getting a new system with Windows 7 pre-installed is well taken and sound. Unfortunately I have only just obtained a new computer so I shall either have to plod along with XP or Vista, or purchase the new Windows 7 when it is released in October.

Thanks again for your reply.

Poseidon

P,
If you look back at M$'s OS release cycle, 95, 98, 2000, XP (02) there's normally a 2-3 year gap.

Vista promised so much, but in the end was technically non-viable and rushed. Also very late release 2006/7 so outside of the normal OS cycle. They pretty much packaged up what they had and released it. vista was meant to be as ground breaking as 95 was when it was first released, but failed miserably..

Now Win 7 has had a chance to build on the new ideas intro'd in Vista and does a good job of it.
We are STILL missing many of the features that should have appeared with Vista, but they are again heading in the right direction.

For Curleyben,

Thanks for elucidating on the MS systems.

Poseidon