Posts Tagged ‘Windows Vista’
Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade Cheaper for New PCs
Picking up that netbook but not wanting to deal with that Starter Edition of Windows 7?
Are you not entirely happy with the limitations of the Windows 7 Starter or Home Premium of that new computer that you were thinking about buying? Microsoft today announced that discounts are on the way.
Starting next week, those who buy a new computer have the option of picking up an Anytime Upgrade Package at a discount.
Quick Look: Notebook Performance With Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
We’ve already looked into the performance differences between Windows Vista and Windows 7 in a desktop computing environment. Although many people would recommend using Windows 7 not only for new PCs, but also notebooks as well, it might not make sense to change the operating system on existing systems.
The notebook question was particularly interesting for us. Which of the latest Windows versions provides the best performance on notebooks? And does the Windows version have a noticeable impact on battery life? Both questions can be answered with a “yes.”
There should be little performance difference between similar operating system versions. Windows XP is popular because it is rather sleek and fast. Windows Vista has the opposite reputation, although it introduced several new features that potentially increase performance. For example, SuperFetch loads the most-wanted applications in the background, utilizing all available system RAM, to make them available quickly. ReadyBoost utilizes a fast USB 2.0 thumb drive to provide additional random access memory for applications. ReadyDrive introduced support for HHDDs (Hybrid Hard Drives), although this feature was never used.
And finally, there is Windows 7, which generally provides better performance.
WINDOWS XP
We used a Dell Latitude D630 notebook and three identical 2.5” Seagate Momentus 7200.2 hard drives to install all three Windows versions: Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Thus armed, it was time to run a little analysis.
We’ve already looked into the performance differences between Windows Vista and Windows 7 in a desktop computing environment. Although many people would recommend using Windows 7 not only for new PCs, but also notebooks as well, it might not make sense to change the operating system on existing systems.
The notebook question was particularly interesting for us. Which of the latest Windows versions provides the best performance on notebooks? And does the Windows version have a noticeable impact on battery life? Both questions can be answered with a “yes.”
There should be little performance difference between similar operating system versions. Windows XP is popular because it is rather sleek and fast. Windows Vista has the opposite reputation, although it introduced several new features that potentially increase performance. For example, SuperFetch loads the most-wanted applications in the background, utilizing all available system RAM, to make them available quickly. ReadyBoost utilizes a fast USB 2.0 thumb drive to provide additional random access memory for applications. ReadyDrive introduced support for HHDDs (Hybrid Hard Drives), although this feature was never used.
And finally, there is Windows 7, which generally provides better performance.
We used a Dell Latitude D630 notebook and three identical 2.5” Seagate Momentus 7200.2 hard drives to install all three Windows versions: Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Thus armed, it was time to run a little analysis.
WINDOWS VISTA
We performed an in-depth comparison of Windows XP and Windows Vista in 2007. This revealed that there were no significant performance differences, but still some minor disadvantages associated with Windows Vista.
Our current Vista installation also includes all updates available as of November 10, along with the drivers listed on the test setup page. We left all Vista default settings unchanged. You’ll find the settings to the “balanced” power scheme.
WINDOWS 7
We were surprised to see such diverse results. Keep in mind that the test notebook was the same in all three runs and that we used very comparable power schemes (balanced/portable). Windows XP with Service Pack 3 clearly provides the highest application performance, and Windows 7 doesn’t seem so superior anymore. We can only assume that Windows 7 tries to be conservative on performance in an effort to maximize battery life. Let’s look at the MobileMark 2007 runtime results now. Our assumption seems to be true. Windows 7 does indeed provide the highest runtime of the three operating systems, while the fastest setup, based on Windows XP with SP3, actually provided the least endurance on battery. The difference isn’t really significant, but on a notebook like the one we used (with powerful 9-cell battery) the runtime variance between Windows XP and Windows 7 was as much as 28 minutes. This is quite a lot if you imagine trying to finalize a presentation on a transatlantic flight.
Toshiba Launches Laptops Pre-loaded With Windows 7
Toshiba has rolled out its flagship Consumer and Commercial models pre-loaded with Windows 7 Operating System.
Toshiba’s range of Notebook PCs feature high definition (HD) CSV screens, LED display, multi-touch control panel, power saving Eco-Utility, higher battery life, new patterns, 3D HDD protection, Fingerprint recognition and Face recognition using HD Auto macro integrated wide angle web-camera.
Toshiba Notebook PCs are now available in all screen sizes from 10.1-inch to 16-inch including Tablet PC models.
For all existing customers, the company has also introduced a free upgrade offer program from Vista to Windows 7. Toshiba provides International Limited Warranty on all models including parts and labour.
The Portege M900-D3212 comes with leather texture finish and is available in Luxe Brown. It is equipped with a 13.3-inch Wide High Definition (HD) Screen with Clear Super View (CSV) technology and Nvidia Graphics Controller with 512MB of dedicated Video memory.
The Satellite M500-D4311 has a Champage Gold Aero design, a 14-inch Wide LED backlit flush screen and a chrome border that encompasses not just the Notebook PC but also the Touchpad console, speaker grills and hinges. This notebook also comes with a backlit keyboard that allows the user to work comfortably even in dark areas and during night. The Satellite M500-D4311 provides the best-in-class multimedia experience with features like Nvidia graphics controller, 512MB dedicated video memory, Harman/kardon speakers and 1366×768 resolution in 16:9 aspect ratio. This notebook can be connected to an LED/LCD Television using the HDMI-CEC REGZA link to deliver high definition multi-media experience to a larger audience.
The new Satellite L500-D5310 and L510-D4311 come in a Black casing with Breeze ID color. The glossy appearance runs on the LCD cover and keyboard alike. This new model of Satellite Notebook PCs are equipped with DDR3 memory that provides better performance along with power saving features. Both these Notebook PC’s comes pre-loaded with Intel Core2 Duo Processor, 3GB of Memory and a 320GB HDD.
The Satellite L500-D5310 is the lightest Notebook PC in the 15.6-inch display category at just 2.72 Kgs. The model boasts of features like High Definition 15.6-inch screen with Clear Super View technology, stereo speakers, HDMI and USB/eSATA port, USB sleep-n-charge function and full-size 104 keys keyboard.
The Satellite L510-D4311 provides superior multimedia experience with its Nvidia graphics controller, 512MB dedicated video memory and a 14-inch LED screen with Clear Super View technology. This model also comes with HDMI, USB/eSATA port and USB sleep-n-charge functions.
Sony Unveils New Line of Notebooks
Sony has unveiled a new line of life style oriented notebooks – the VAIO NW series.
The 2-tone color VAIO NW notebooks have a clear touch pad, a 15.5-inch Real Wide screen, an Intel Pentium Processor T4200 (2 GHz), a 160 GB HDD, 2 GB of RAM, HDMI output, wireless LAN and Bluetooth, while Windows Vista Home Basic 32-bit comes pre-installed.
The laptops in the series also feature:
- Quick Web Access function – one push to launch directly into the web without having to wait for the Windows operating system to load.
- Display Off button – conserves the power by letting users turn off the screen while the notebook continues to function in the background for a quick resume.
- PMB (Picture Motion Browser) – an easy-to-use organizer to keep memorable photos and videos.
- VAIO Movie Story – an easy way to produce high-quality home movies
- VAIO MusicBox – a fun and automated way to enjoy music based on one’s mood.
Starting at Rs. 37,990, the VAIO NW series will be available at Sony authorized dealers and national retail partners across the country.
Microsoft Debuts FIX IT Program
Microsoft has launched “Fix It” software that keeps an eye on a PC and automatically repairs common faults.
The software basically adds the automatic diagnostics system in Windows 7 to older versions of Microsoft’s operating system.
The software, currently available as a trial or beta version, is intended for users of Windows XP and Vista.
The package also tries to anticipate how security updates will affect a PC before they are installed.
Once installed, the software gets updates about known issues with Windows or any connected devices, and regularly checks to see if a host machine has fallen victim. Once fixes become available it will tell users they are ready or attempt to apply them.
The software has onboard fixes for about 300 of the most widely encountered problems that stop Windows working as it should.
The software also maintains a list of the hardware and software on a machine so if the automatic fix does not solve a problem, it will be able to help users supply detailed information to Microsoft’s support staff about what has gone wrong.
Those signing up and downloading the Fix It software can use it on several different machines.
The free software can be downloaded from Microsoft’s support pages. Windows XP users wanting to use it must have Service Pack 3 for the operating system installed.
The Fix It service began in late 2008, when Microsoft began using the logo to highlight automatic fixes on its support pages that dealt with very common problems.
Anyone clicking on the logo kicked off a download that tried to fix that problem automatically.
Microsoft, like many other software firms, has built a vast database of faults and problems as technology built into Windows reports back about crashes and other bugs that machines encounter.