Much-anticipated Windows 7 released today

It’s the day PC users around the world have been waiting for: the release of Windows 7.

Windows users can finally kick Vista and XP to the curb, because Windows 7 is being heralded as a big improvement. It’s also a big risk for Microsoft after its disastrous launch of Windows Vista back in January of 2007. They had to get Windows 7 right.

However, the upgrade doesn’t come cheap at $129.95 (from either XP or Vista), and $224.95 for the full version. Windows 7 Professional (which adds automatic backup, productivity programs, and the ability to connect to Corporate networks) will set you back $249.95 for the upgrade. There’s also an Ultimate version, at $279.95, which adds multiple-language support)

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The best deal is the Family Pack upgrade for $199.99, for up to three computers in one household.

It should be noted that Mac users only paid $35 to upgrade to Snow Leopard, so Microsoft’s upgrade pricing is quite a bit higher.

But for PC users, there’s lots of new features in Windows 7:

• very quick start-up and shut down
• ability to stream music/video to any compatible device on your network
• Aero Shake: allows you to hide everything but the current window by giving it a ‘wiggle’
• streamlined taskbar and notification area
• improved PC search
• pop-up previews of MP3 files (no need to open Media Centre)
• watch TV shows for free in Media Centre (this function may be less useful in Canada)
• improved home networking with ‘Homegroup’
• touch-screen support
• improved security

More feature information here or see Microsoft’s top 10 reasons to upgrade to Windows 7 here 

This video gives you a good look at some of the new features and the look. 

You will need at least 1GB of RAM, a 1GHz, 32-bit or better processor, and a DVD drive to install Windows 7.

It’s really up to you: you can continue using Windows XP or Vista, which many businesses are expected to do because of the high cost of upgrading so many computers, or you can take the leap and upgrade to Windows 7 if you think the new features are worth it.

I like the new features in Windows 7, but I think the price tag too steep for an upgrade. Personally, I’d wait until I bought a new computer which will come standard with Windows 7.