Windows 7 Public Beta

What happens when you release a service pack for Vista but brand it as a new OS? Well Microsoft is trying to pull a big one on the consumer market with the release of the Windows 7 public beta. Users will immediately recognize that the OS has been "slimmed down", now using much less system resources, and will also notice a new and improved "dock-like" taskbar. In fact, the new taskbar is so "dock-like", it makes me wonder if Apple will look into filing a legal claim.

However, with these changes comes a number of issues. Now before you say it; I know it's still in beta. But some things are just features that you will never use. For example, open up the Control Panel and you'll notice that the navigation panel on the left side of the window can collapse and open. Which is completely useless! With 20"+ monitors becoming the norm, do we really need to save 64 pixels of screen space? Honestly. That's just one of the useless features.

Overall I think Microsoft is doing a good job optimizing the OS for speed, like what Apple is doing with Snow Leopard. It's a great plan to get people to buy Vista; because, let's face it guys, Windows 7 is just Vista with a different look.

But nevertheless, you can get a free copy of the Windows 7 beta straight from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx

DO NOT USE WINDOWS 7 AS YOUR PRIMARY OPERATING SYSTEM. It's still in beta which means 1) it's unstable, and 2) it will expire (in August/July 2009)

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Comment by Gordon Keenan on January 12, 2009 at 9:54am: That one thing is the only one you mention? Trivial is the word I would use!
Why is it that so many people like to pop up onlien to have their moan yet, they cannot stop and think for 5 minutes about the item they are going to write about.
It's a BETA (you did say that) and as such I woudl image the more trivial things will be sorted out last, and I'm sure if there are 2.5 million BETA TESTERS out there all reporting that 64 pixels should be used somewhere else.. why... Microsoft will probably put that to the top of the list as a priority to sort out!

Comment by Andrew on January 12, 2009 at 5:46am: Great thing about Betas is, they're free, and you can always get rid of it if you don't like it

Comment by Ron Knights on January 12, 2009 at 5:38am: I tend to avoid Betas all together. Ok, I did try the beta of Windows XP years ago.

But these days I'm a confirmed Macintosh convert...

I will most likely never buy another "PC," or buy another version of Windows.

Comment by Andrew on January 12, 2009 at 5:37am: What's wrong with that? The only thing really wrong with Vista was performance, which has significantly improved in Windows 7.

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