Windows 7 is out today! Huzzah! But wait; if you're still rocking Windows XP, you might want to think twice before upgrading. Here are some reasons to stick with an old OS.
1. Updating will be a huge pain
You do realize that you can't just pop in the disc and install the OS, right? Coming from XP, you're going to need to backup all of your data, format your hard drive, install a clean version of Windows 7, and then start from scratch, reinstalling all of your old programs—and that's assuming Old Faithful even meets the system requirements. Sounds delightful!
2. Software investment
How many programs do you have installed? You're going to have to reinstall all of them. Do you have all of your install discs handy? And I hope you haven't lost any CD Keys! Do you still have all of your downloaded installer executables? Feel like finding them or redownloading them? Because that's what you're going to have to do. And as far as new programs go, you do realize that almost all new software is still compatible with XP, right?
3. Most of what you use your computer for doesn't need an upgrade
What do you do on your computer? Surf the internet, maybe use some office programs? I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that Windows XP has been handling such duties just fine for you. So why upgrade? For shiny new aesthetics? For a fancier taskbar? For juggling 22 devices? You don't need that.
4. It's expensive
Do you have $120+ to burn? Because that's how much upgrading will cost you unless you use the $30 college-kid discount. Why not put that money in savings or use it to pay off a credit-card bill, like a grown up?
5. You can wait for SP1
Every OS has bugs when it's first released, and even if 7 isn't the shitshow that Vista was, it'll surely need some patching up once the masses get their hands on it. You won't get any bonus points for being an early-adopter. Why not play it safe and, if you do decide to upgrade, hold out for Service Pack 1?
6. Microsoft will keep supporting XP for a while
Tons of people (including you) still use XP, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Because of that, Microsoft has no choice but to continue supporting it, releasing security patches and the like. You don't need to upgrade in order to get such benefits.
7. You'll buy a new computer eventually
You won't have your current computer forever, especially if you bought it long enough ago to come pre-loaded with XP. Since installing a new OS is one of the most risky and frustrating things you can do with your computer, you might as well just hold out until you buy a new one. It'll have Windows 7 pre-installed on a clean drive, allowing you to start from scratch.
By now, it's just silly to analyze Windows 7. All you really need to know is that it's better than Vista, and if you use a PC, it's probably your next OS. So let's give Win7 a 27-reviewer victory lap.
CNET
"Windows 7 presents a stable platform that can compete comfortably with OS X, while reassuring the world that Microsoft can still turn out a strong, useful operating system."
PCWorld
"...the final shipping version I test-drove appears to be the worthy successor to Windows XP that Vista never was."
NYTimes
"[Microsoft's] three-year Windows Vista nightmare is over."
IT Pro
"Windows 7...is competent and functional due to internal improvements and the user interface is attractive and good for productivity."
bit-tech
"For want of a better way of describing it, Microsoft has essentially fixed Vista and the result is arguably Microsoft's best operating system to date."
Guardian
"Windows 7 is simply the best version of Windows you can get."
Slate
"Indeed, the new Windows is not only the best operating system that Microsoft has ever produced. It is arguably the fastest, most intuitive, and most useful consumer desktop OS on the market today."
Maximum PC
"...Windows 7 is unquestionably the best version of Windows that Microsoft has ever released, and is the true successor to Windows XP."
Tech Radar
"No version of Windows is ever perfect, but Windows 7 really is the best release of Windows yet."
PC Mag
"It's far and away the best OS we've ever seen from Microsoft."
Wall Street Journal
"I believe it is the best version of Windows Microsoft has produced."
ElectricPig
"With Windows 7, Microsoft wants us to believe that it's got its OS back on track and for the most part we feel they have."
Engadget
"Where Vista felt like a sprawling mess, Windows 7 has patched up the holes and feels like a tight, unified mechanism."
Telegraph
"Windows 7 is the operating system Vista should have been..."
Hexus
"This is the operating system that Windows Vista should have been."
Digital Trends
"...Microsoft has returned for redemption with Windows 7, otherwise known as "what Vista should have been."
AP
"Windows 7 [is] a slick, much improved operating system that should go a long way toward erasing the bad impression left by its previous effort, Vista."
V3
"...Windows 7 is a worthy successor to Windows XP..."
Federal Computer Week
"There is nothing wrong with Windows 7 - and we've always thought Vista was a better operating system than its reputation suggested - so if a new system happens to come with it, then you'll get a fine operating system."
PC Pro UK
"We like Windows 7 a lot - so much so, that the disappointment that was Windows Vista has already become a distant memory..."
Technodorm
"If you have the money to spend, there is no reason why you shouldn't upgrade."
Laptop Mag
"If Vista left you somewhat disillusioned with Windows, we suggest you upgrade to Windows 7."
Cult of Mac
"I need to go wash my eyes out with bleach."
The Inquirer
"Windows 7 is as pretty as Apple stuff, just as easy to use, and does not treat you like a moron."
Computer World
"...it's finally time to upgrade."
TechWorld
"Windows 7 feels like an anti-Vista..."
Gizmodo
"...if you're coming from Windows XP, Windows 7 will totally feel like a revelation from the glossy future. If you're coming from Vista, you'll definitely go "Hey, this is much better!" the first time you touch Aero Peek. If you're coming from a Mac, you'll—hahahahaha. But seriously, even the Mactards will have to tone down their nasal David Spadian snide, at least a little bit."
