Microsoft Windows 7: Fun Productivity

Features

After Microsoft Vista we all were hoping for a clean, stable operating system with some of the features originally promised with the Vista promotions.  Well, I think we’ve got it in Microsoft Windows 7!

Be sure to get the proper Windows 7 version. Use the Home Premium version strictly for your home environment.  For a business environment, either the Professional or Ultimate versions are your choices.

Give yourself enough operating memory, RAM, because Windows 7 likes to use it.  4GB (gigabytes) is the maximum for a 32-bit operating system and you will not go wrong investing in that much.  With the 64-bit operating system you may want to consider at least 6GB of RAM.  The 64-bit operating systems will definitely run faster with enough power to back them up.  Most 32-bit programs will run on the 64-bit platforms, with the operative word being “most”.

On all three versions of Windows 7 you will find a number of interesting features:

“Snap” allows you to arrange working windows side by side.  Used with larger single monitors this can be almost as effective as two smaller dual monitors.  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/snap

“Peek” lets you to temporarily see your desktop through all open windows and allows you to minimize/maximize all of your open windows in one click.  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/peek

Use “Shake” to clear your desktop of all open windows, excepting the ones you want to concentrate on.  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/shake

For the mouse haters of the world, Windows 7 introduces true multi-touch technology, allowing you to fully interact with a touch screen PC or laptop using just your fingers.  Programs are currently somewhat restrictive with this new technology, but if the market likes its “feel” you may be seeing more of it soon.

Do you have programs that used to run with XP that will not convert to Vista or Windows 7?  Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate include an XP virtual license by which you can run a complete virtual XP operating system to run those legacy programs.  While you may not be able to connect all of your old hardware to it, the programs run well in this virtual environment.  Download virtual XP from  Microsoft.  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Next we get into the entertainment fun stuff:

• If you have a TV tuner card on your PC or laptop, Windows 7 offers Internet TV.
• Media Player 12 expands your experience into many more formats including AVCHD and XVID for high definition files.

We hope we’ve piqued your interest and are excited about the stability and features that are proving themselves in this latest version of the Microsoft Windows client operating system.

If you have any questions on Windows 7, please call Micro Visions, Inc. at 616-776-0400 and a qualified expert will be happy to help.

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