Windows 7: Is It Right for You? Carefully Assess Your Needs, Application Compatibility and the Upgrade Process
2009; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Volume: 208; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0021-8448
Autores Tópico(s)Cloud Computing and Remote Desktop Technologies
Resumo[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Windows 7, the newest version of Microsoft's desktop operating system, comes with numerous functional improvements over its widely used predecessors, Vista and XP. Some of these enhancements--such as more powerful hard drive search and data encryption capabilities-will save time and boost security; others, including 64-bit application support and Apple-like multifinger touch-screen technology for resizing windows, will enable you to do things you couldn't do on a Windows PC until now. For CPAs, two questions accompany the arrival of the new OS: How does it differ from Vista and XP? And what's the best way to evaluate whether Windows 7 can improve computing in your firm? This article will help you find the answers. QUESTION # 1 :WHAT'S NEW? Differences from XP and Vista. Windows 7 introduces powerful advantages over its predecessors, and resolves some of the shortcomings that plagued earlier Windows operating systems. Among its innovations, Windows 7 enables PCs to use up to 128 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM) for faster processing and running several applications at once without crashing or slowing. It also improves efficiency in the use of existing hardware, strengthens security at the OS and browser levels, and reduces or eliminates Vista deficiencies, such as frequent, intrusive OS requests for user identification. Take your pick. Three versions of Windows 7 are suitable for businesses: * Windows 7 Professional edition is best for most business users because it enables them to connect to a corporate network. Professional, which supports XP Mode (see below), costs $199 for an upgrade, or $299 for a full version for PCs without an OS. * Windows 7 Ultimate, the most versatile and powerful edition, includes all the features of Windows 7 Professional and adds Bit-Locker, a hard drive encryption tool, Direct Access, a remote connectivity technology, and BranchCache, a communication tool for satellite offices. An upgrade to Ultimate costs $219; the full version costs $319. * Windows 7 Enterprise has the same features as Windows 7 Ultimate, but is sold only with Software Assurance, a business license agreement that ensures you always have the latest version of Windows 7, provides technical support, facilitates companywide deployment, and is suitable for larger enterprises. New ways to be more productive. One Windows 7 feature that may increase your productivity is file libraries. You no longer need to search all over your computer for documents, images, music or other files stored in different locations. Libraries are similar to folders in Vista or XP except that they are virtual. The files in libraries can be stored in any folder, even on different computers, but are grouped together for easier display and access. For example, you can create a library of your photos of a particular person or occasion, and browse through them there, even if the photos physically are in your Photos folder, or scattered throughout your documents folders. The same file can appear in any number of libraries. You also can pin a program to the taskbar so it's just a click away. While the application is open, but minimized, you can see a thumbnail preview of it by hovering over the taskbar. Two other enhancements simplify resizing and scrolling windows. Say you want to compare two documents. Use your mouse--or your fingers, if you have a touch-screen PC--to each document's window, and pull it to the edge of the screen. Windows 7's new Snap feature will neatly display the two documents side by side. Similarly, if you need all but one window out of the way, grab the top of that window and shake it to minimize all other windows. Shake that same window again to fully restore the minimized windows. Searching with Windows also is easier, and the function is more powerful. …
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