EmailWhat you need to know about Windows 7
Windows 7, the newest operating system from Microsoft, comes in six different editions, but those buying a new laptop will need to choose between only three: Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate. Most mainstream laptops come with Windows 7 Home Premium in the base configuration, with an optional upgrade to Professional or Ultimate. Some high-end or business notebooks may include Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate in the purchase price.
Windows 7 Home Premium includes many of the Windows 7 enhancements, including redesigned desktop navigation, new Windows search functionality, networking support with Home Group and Internet Explorer 8. One level up, Windows 7 Professional adds additional features suited to business users, including a Windows XP mode and enhanced networking functionality. Windows 7 Ultimate adds offers all these features plus support for 35 languages and data encryption with Bitlocker. All Windows 7 editions provide media streaming and multi-touch support for touch screens. Visit the Microsoft website for a chart comparing the various features on each Windows 7 edition.
Most experts have positive reviews of Windows 7, saying it offers a clear improvement over the widely disliked Vista operating system. Windows 7 gets good reviews from PC World, CNET, PCMag.com and ArsTechnica.com, among others. Overall, reviews indicate that Windows 7 Home Premium will suit the average computer user, although Michael Muchmore at PCMag.com recommends that "workplaces and hard-core techies" upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. Likewise, Peter Bright at ArsTechnica.com thinks only large corporate enterprises and "geeks" will need to shell out for Windows 7 Ultimate.
Computer experts say it may be worth your while to buy a new laptop with Windows 7 installed rather than embark on a potentially frustrating upgrade process. Jacqueline Emigh at PC World reports on upgrade problems with Windows 7, finding that upgrading your current laptop can cause some headaches. "Complaints range from endless reboots to refusals by Windows to accept Microsoft's assigned product keys," says Emigh. She also notes that the Windows support forum has been swamped with over 2,600 questions. If you don't plan to buy a new laptop right now, Vince Horiuchi of The Salt Lake Tribune recommends sticking with Vista as long as it's working well for you. "Upgrading to any new operating system always comes with its own host of unexpected headaches," he says. "Why put yourself through that if everything already works fine now?"
If you do decide to purchase a new Windows 7 laptop, experts say to look for the following when shopping:
- Get the best processor you can afford. Most laptops use Intel's Core 2 Duo CPUs. The Centrino 2 (Penryn) processors have several advantages over Centrino (also called Santa Rosa) processors. Most laptops use Intel Core 2 Duo hardware, although many are moving to the new multi-core Intel Core i7 or i5 processors.
- Get at least 2 GB of RAM. High-end notebooks typically have 3 or 4 GB of RAM, which can help applications run more quickly and smoothly. It will also allow you to run multiple applications without system drag. Laptops rarely have internal expandability, so maximizing your RAM at the time of purchase is the best course. Unless the laptop has an open RAM slot, you will need to replace your existing RAM if you decide to upgrade in the future.
- Consider the display coating. Reflective screen coatings are popular because they make graphics and movies look more saturated. However, these glossy displays can create glare, especially in an office environment. If you plan mainly on office work, consider a notebook without a glossy coating or pay more for a backlit LED display. Some laptops offer a choice of display coating.
- Get the biggest hard drive you can afford. Photo, music and video files take up a lot of space. Adding a larger hard drive when you configure a system is a worthwhile upgrade if you collect media files. You cannot add an additional internal hard drive to most laptops, so allowing room for growth can be a good investment.
- Think about wireless connectivity. All laptops come with integrated Wi-Fi. Some also come with an antenna for the Verizon and Sprint EVDO networks or AT&T's EDGE Wide Area LAN (WAN), which lets you connect to the Internet anywhere in range of the provider's data network (mostly major cities). You can also add those options when you configure your laptop. Bluetooth support is also becoming widespread, though it is an extra-cost upgrade in some laptops.
- Take note of service/support and warranty. Warranties range from one to three years. All manufacturers offer warranty upgrades, and prices can vary by model. Tech support is generally free during the warranty period, but not thereafter. Because all laptops are proprietary and have few user-replaceable parts, editors at ExtremeTech.com say, "Get the best warranty you can afford. Unlike desktop computers, laptop PCs' parts cannot be swapped out if something fails." Manufacturers such as Dell and HP are adding extras such as theft insurance to warranty upgrades to make them more attractive. Given the abuse that most laptops withstand, paying extra for a three-year extended warranty might be worth it.
- You'll need to add office software. Consumer laptops are bundled with software; unfortunately, it's often not the software you want or need. For example, you won't get Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) without paying extra for it. Instead, you get bloatware that consists of expiring trial versions of programs, crippled software (unless you pay to unlock full functionality) and adware.
Apple is an alternative for laptops buyers. Apple laptops use the Mac Snow Leopard operating system but can run Windows 7 as well. However, Windows 7 is not included with Apple laptops and must be purchased separately. More information on that can be found in our report on