Netbooks with Windows 7

Marvin Hlavac

Windows 7 netbooks, laptops, and desktops are appearing in online stores. I'm not sure if I personally want to go through all the trouble of upgrading my almost two year old Windows Vista laptop to the new Windows 7, but if I were to buy a new netbook I would certainly look for one that already has the new operating system installed.

Netbooks with Windows 7

Ken in Regina

Senior Member

Marvin, there should be minimal work to upgrade your Vista laptop. Windows 7 will use the Vista drivers if it needs to. It's more like a version upgrade in that regard. No need to reinstall programs, etc.

Of course nothing is ever really that simple, is it?

...ken...

Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS World
www.laptopgpsworld.com

Yes, Ken, and I originally intended to install Windows 7 on my tx2000, but since I started to experience the hardware problem I mentioned to you and Terry earlier, I no longer have long term plans for this laptop. I will eventually need to buy a new one.

tcassidy

Senior Member

The Christmas season this year could be pretty exciting for netbooks.

Terry

Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS World
www.laptopgpsworld.com

My wife will definitely get her brand new Windows 7 netbook for Christmas this year . Last year she though her old laptop was still usable. A couple of months ago, when I suggested a netbook as a birthday gift for her, she said she would wait till Xmas.

Last weekend we were looking at a Sony VAIO P at a local FutureShop. She liked it. (But I would need a magnifying glass to read anything at that small screen!)

Ken in Regina

Senior Member

I'm holding out for a touchscreen netbook.

...ken...

tcassidy

Senior Member

That overpriced Sony toy must-at least-have a touch screen!

Terry

taoyue

Senior Member

Ken, you're absolutely right, one thing that's been missing from the netbook market is a good touchscreen netbook.

Note that there are a couple of bad touchscreen netbooks already available, most notably the EEE T91. They run Windows XP Home (note: not XP Tablet Edition), have resistive touchscreens (?!), and in general deliver a poor experience.

AD18

Member

Just a bit of fair warning. I've read that most netbooks are shipping with Windows 7 "Starter". Not Home or Business, etc like big brother laptop or desktops. It is a watered down version of 7 that will only allow 3 apps (not including antivirus) to be running at once. Try to open the 4th and it will not allow it. Microsoft stated netbooks will not have the processing power to run more advanced 7 with multiple apps. Other rumour is for price of cheapie netbook you want full blown 7 you pay the extra $ for it. I've not actually seen this, just idle chatter prior to release.

tcassidy

Senior Member

Quote:

Originally Posted by AD18

Just a bit of fair warning. I've read that most netbooks are shipping with Windows 7 "Starter". Not Home or Business, etc like big brother laptop or desktops. It is a watered down version of 7 that will only allow 3 apps (not including antivirus) to be running at once. Try to open the 4th and it will not allow it. Microsoft stated netbooks will not have the processing power to run more advanced 7 with multiple apps. Other rumour is for price of cheapie netbook you want full blown 7 you pay the extra $ for it. I've not actually seen this, just idle chatter prior to release.

The limit of 3 applications does not apply to Windows 7 Starter Edition.
Let?s talk about Windows 7 Starter - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog

Terry

AD18

Member

Sorry, I was incorrect after some further investigation. Here is today's scoop on CNET:

Quote:

Among the changes that came directly from the computer makers was the about-face that Microsoft did with regards to Windows 7 Starter--the entry-level version of the product aimed primarily at Netbooks. Initially, Microsoft wanted to impose a limit of three open applications at a time, in part to distinguish the version from higher-end editions.
PC makers complained loudly that the restriction was too onerous--and might tempt consumers to stick with the older and less secure Windows XP. Microsoft eventually relented and, though it has maintained other limitations, Netbooks with Windows 7 Starter can run as many applications as their limited memory will allow.

What the other "limitations" are, don't know. Sorry for the incorrect info above.

Ken in Regina

Senior Member

Terry is right. Here is a popular ZDNet blogger's review. It started when the beta with the 3-application limit was released and has been updated since the change.

Living with the limits of Windows 7 Starter Edition | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com

...ken...

AD18

Member

I bought my netbook with XP installed prior to the 7 release. I was very impressed with netbook performancd. When 7 was released I had no real need to upgrade, but with Microsofts 3 pack home upgrade package for $200 cdn. I couldn't resist. I have done my laptop and netbook upgrades with no issues what so ever. Make sure you run the 7 compatability program Microsoft provides to make sure you are ready for the upgrade. One thing I was really impressed with was netbook hard drive folders where retained, but operating system over written. Very nice. Only issue left is getting Delorme SA 2010 to accept screen resolution issues. Still working on that. Other than that upgrade was a snap.

edh

Member

I bought a netbook with a 10 inch screen and XP home and was not satisfied. So I've replaced that with an 11 incher and windows 7 premium. I'm happier with the new one, better all around.
Don't know of any limitations, none are mentioned, but if there are I might rethink my new purchase. How would I tell if there are? So far it seems to do all that I ask.

Ken in Regina

Senior Member

Quote:

Originally Posted by edh

Don't know of any limitations, none are mentioned, but if there are I might rethink my new purchase. How would I tell if there are?

Hi Ed,

I have no idea what you mean. Give us a list of what you think might be a limitation and we can tell you how to check.

...ken...