I am extremely happy with Windows 7.

I downloaded the BETA version back in January when it came out, installing it on my old laptop as a direct replacement for Vista. Despite coming packaged with the Laptop I bought two years ago, Vista was running like Gordon Brown’s mind, slow and unable to react. This was despite numerous re-installs and a threat to retro step back to WinXP.

The installation of Windows 7 took forever, making me instantly regret making the choice. However after two months of using it, I haven’t looked back at all! It is important to point out that graphically the look of Windows 7 does not really differ to Vista. The themes are very similar and the Start Menu is near identical.

However everything is so much more smoother and customisable. As the screenshots show, I was able to make everything a glaring red with just a few clicks of the mouse. The quick launch toolbar found next to the start menu is also more user friendly; programs can be ‘pinned’ or ‘unpinned’ to it by a simple click and drag, removing the ‘open folder’ technique we all use in XP. The launch icons will also glow if the application is already open, as well as display small open application windows when you run your mouse over the icon.

Visually the system is Vista with a few improvements. However the major benefit is that it runs superbly even on system which struggled with Vista. My laptop runs on a 1.6 AMD dual core, 1gb ram, 120gb Sata HDD. This was only just good enough to run Vista effectively (despite having the Vista sticker!), but Windows 7 boots and runs twice as fast despite being the newer product.

I understand that Microsoft will release the same varience of systems that Vista provided, but will also turn their attentions to the Netbook world. If this product maintains its stability over to this platform, I really can’t see how anybody will be able to compete. It will really break my heart when I will have to stop using 7 in August, it means I will have three realistic choices: Buy a new laptop, revert back to Vista, or spend lots of money on the commercial release!