Windows 7: much better than XP or Vista--not quite OS Nirvana.

• Author: Gaby, Bob
• Position: Software Update

If you feel a need for stability, improved performance and greater productivity, then you should be excited to learn about Windows 7--regardless of any suppressed emotions that may surface when you think about a new operating system.

Windows 7 is all about delivering on the failures, real or imagined, of Vista. Before I explain, keep in mind the following:

* Open your mind. The more time I spend with Windows 7, the more I realize that there is a reason behind every redesigned feature. If you are willing to adapt your behavior, you will be more successful.

* Plan and budget for training. There are many new features for which there are no pop-ups or wizards. You will need to invest a little effort to find them if you expect greater productivity.

* Don't expect Nirvana. Sorry to break the bad news, but Windows 7 is not a perfect operating system. It still has its annoyances, though hopefully fewer than XP or Vista.

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Why Upgrade?

There are four areas where CPAs will benefit most from an upgrade to Windows 7.

Increased Performance and Stability.

Netbooks experience surprising gains in performance after upgrading to Windows 7. A recent upgrade to my new Samsung NetBook N110 cut system startup, application load and system shut down times in half.

In a performance shoot-out conducted by ZD Net Labs pitting Windows XP, Vista and 7 against each other, Windows 7 outperformed the others in 21 of the 23 tests. While Windows Vista decreased performance for older machines upgrading from Windows XP, Windows 7 can breathe new life back into that old PC running XP. (Components must be compatible; see information about "Upgrade Advisor" mentioned later in this article.)

Beyond performance, and perhaps even more important, is improved reliability in Windows 7. Features such as "hibernate" and "sleep" have been fine tuned to work consistently. Power management is easier to use and now provides accurate battery life information.

Desktop Search. This new feature (aka "Instant Search") is launched from the Start menu and provides a powerful tool to accomplish what was formerly only available through third-party tools, such as Google Desktop and Copernic. Search results are sorted by application or group for easy identification and access.

Windows Management. The Taskbar now shows open applications and programs not in use providing one-click access to your most frequently used programs. Microsoft has also added the following methods of...