A Comparison Of Windows 7 And Windows 8

Windows 7 Benefits

Windows 7 was launched by Microsoft with an intention to overcome the drawbacks of Windows Vista. Windows 8 is the upgraded version of Windows 7 from the Microsoft series of operating systems, which also claims for much improved functionality. Both the OS versions can be used for personal and official purpose. Below given is a comparison of Windows 7 vs Windows 8, and certain important points have been discussed.

Processor

Windows 7 uses IA-32 architecture as well as the x86-64 architecture for all other editions except for starter editions. On the other hand, Windows 8 operates on an ARM based architecture, which consumes less power, and works on Intel x86 architecture and many others. Windows 8 comes with a number of sensors consisting of accelerometers, gyroscopes, NFC devices and magnetometers.

User Interface and Touch Apps

Windows 7 came with a touch platform, which was not reliable. However, Windows 8 comes with much improved touch support. You can quit Windows and choose menu contents without any trouble in Windows 8.

Windows 7 has the normal user Windows startup screen while the Windows 8 boasts of the new Start screen, which avoids the usual Start button in Windows 7. The new Start screen was designed to support the touch platform. The touch apps help the tablet users to explore the features of Windows 8. It works on computers with no touch platform also. You can switch between different applications on Windows 8 in a fast manner. The old Desktop interface is also available for those users who are not familiar with Windows 8.

Windows charms

Charms is the new feature introduced in Windows 8. You can launch it by dragging the mouse to the upper right corner or the lower right corner. You can navigate to any location in the computer by entering the respective location names in the search field from charms.

Processing time

Windows 8 processing time is much faster compared to Windows 7. Windows 8 takes less time for booting and shutdown. This improvement can also be seen on transition from sleep mode to normal. File transfers also take less time to complete in Windows 8.

Windows 8 features

Windows Store

Windows Store is an important feature associated with Windows 8. Similar to Mac store, you can download various applications like desktop as well as modern user interface applications for purchase and free.

Other components

Excellent 3D graphics and multimedia performance is an important trait of Windows 8. The Xbox music application also allows you to access music of all genres.

When we compare Windows 7 vs Windows 8, Windows 8 has much improved functionality. Purchasing a Windows 8 computer lets you access the latest technologies and features of new generation computers.

Reviewing Windows 8 With HP Tablets

Comparing Windows 8 with older platforms

The launch of Microsoft’s most awaited operating systems, which could run on any device, unintentionally proved that we are in a post-PC era. Windows 8 may have mixed reviews, but the operating system has yet to unveil many of its features. The introduced “Test” Windows 8 operating system (beta version) has gained much popularity from its release last year and a gradual but steady growth in the market shows that there are users who desire to move on with this innovating technology.

The comparison

Windows 8 is the latest platform developed by Microsoft and thus has features better than the previous versions. But the negative aspect of this platform, according to the traditional users is that all new features are best associated with touch screen devices, and are less friendly towards traditional computers.

If you consider the positive side, super-fast performance and faster boot is what you will find under the hood of Windows 8. Other features include developed Apps, live tiles, Cloud Apps, and a charming charms bar.

The main attraction of Windows 8 is the Metro Style user interface, which entirely separates the start screen and desktop from the earlier versions. When compared the graphics and gaming features between Windows 7 vs Windows 8, Windows 8 has achieved a benchmark, and is far ahead of the older versions. Also if we compare Windows 7 vs Windows 8 startup and shutdown time, Windows 7 takes about 27 seconds to start up and 12 seconds to shutdown, while Windows 8 startup completes in 18 seconds and takes 8 seconds to shut down.

Windows 8 with HP Tablets

Windows 7 vs Windows 8 boot feature

Agreeing with traditional users, that touch screen devices support Windows 8 quite well, and understanding the positive aspects of this, HP is on the path to develop and launch tablets with Windows 8 OS. As per Bloomberg, HP is holding back the release, for the launch of Windows RT tablets which are built with low-power ARM-based processors. The RT device may not support the apps that run on computers with x86 processors, but will offer longer battery life, connectivity solutions at a lower price range. HP though, is focused on x86 processors, which additionally supports every software available for the earlier versions of Windows.

The tie-up of HP tablets with Windows 8 will surely bring about a drastic change in the market. HP has tried many options to make a foothold in the tablet PC market for the last few years. Let us hope for the best for HP in its collabrication with Windows 8.

How To Add A Folder To Favorites In Windows 7 & Windows 8

Upgrade to Windows 8 OS

When you are making a Windows 7 vs Windows 8 comparison, you will find that though there are many similarities between the two, Windows 8 is the superior operating system. The Windows 8 significantly improves your system performance with the same hardware configuration. For example, try installing a trial version of the Windows 8 and compare the total CPU usage. You will see a considerable difference.

The same Hardware system requirements

The main similarity between the two operating systems is the fact that they pretty much require the same hardware requirements. The touch screen is not a compulsory requirement for Windows 8. Go to Windows website and use the Upgrade assistant to check whether your system hardware is compatible with the Windows 8 OS.

The Windows Defender anti-virus application

The Windows Defender Spyware application in Windows 7 has transformed to  anti-virus program in Windows 8, which further reduces the drain on your system memory. You can still install and use any third party applications for better anti-virus or firewall protection.

The Desktop User Interface Option

If you find the Metro UI application in the new OS cumbersome without the touch screen, you can continue to use the old desktop style interface. This is a slightly improved version of the desktop interface available in the Windows 7 operating system.

Adding folders to the favorites list in Windows 8

Another similarity between the Windows 7 and the Windows 8 OS is the option present in both these operating systems to include any folder to the favorite list. The Windows Explorer will display these favorite folders list allowing you to access them very easily. In Windows 7, it was on the left side of the Explorer indicated by a star icon. In Windows 8, the favorites list will appear as a separate tile in the Start screen, with a star icon.

Follow these steps to add the folders to the “favorites” list in Windows 8.

• Go to a folder that you visit very frequently, in the Windows Explorer. Open the ‘favorites menu option present in the navigation pane.
  

                         Windows 8 Start screen

• Choose the ‘Add Current location to Favourites’ option.
• Alternatively, you can just drag the folders you want and drop them in the “favorites” list.
• Click on the favorites menu to display the options. Select the ‘Pin to the Start screen’ option. The “favorites” folder tile icon will now appear on the Start screen.

Once you use the trial version, you will be able to make a Windows 7 vs Windows 8 comparison based on your user experience. Then, you can decide whether to upgrade to the Windows 8 OS or not.

Why Firms Should Upgrade To Windows 8?

Windows 7 welcome screen

Having the latest equipment is very important; more so when it comes to businesses. But it might not be financially feasible to keep upgrading systems every time a new product or software is released. So to judge the right time and right product to upgrade, you have to analyze it from the cost-benefit point of view. If you are using Windows 7 and not so sure about upgrading to Windows 8 OS, you should do a Windows 7 vs Windows 8 comparison. You should run a few systems on the Windows 8 trial version and make an assessment as to how much the whole overhaul will cost you.

Testing and Survey in the US

A trial version of the new Windows OS was given to many companies in the US by Microsoft. It was clear that most companies would adopt a new operating system only if there is a demand for it from the employees. The companies were willing to update their hardware or software infrastructure to increase the total productivity of their employees, if that is essential. But in most companies where the trial was run, it was reported that the new OS did not make any difference to their performance and has no additional features that seemed to help.

From the market surveys conducted before the launch it was perceived that at least a quarter of all small and medium firms in the US would upgrade their systems to the new OS. But that has now changed. Now it is clear that only one in five such firms would be willing to adopt the new Windows 8 OS and that too somewhere in the next two years or so. Other firms are not upgrading to Windows 8 and is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. This is especially the case with the firms that have to do major hardware changes to make the whole IT infrastructure compatible with the new OS and this would entail huge costs.

Windows 8 installation

Among the firms where the testing was done, more than half of them claimed to feel no real advantages over the already installing versions and preferred not to purchase the new version. However the response from those firms which has already upgraded their systems has been positive so far. The Windows 7 vs Windows 8 comparative survey conducted among them showed that the new OS increased the speed, performance, security and the overall functioning of their systems.

What Microsoft needs to do is to focus on the regular consumers. Once the Windows 8 becomes widely popular the employees would start requesting for it and the firms would have no option but to adopt it.

A Comparison Of Windows 7 And Windows 8

  Windows 7 to Windows 8 Comparison

Right from the time Microsoft released the Windows 8, the Windows 7 Vs Windows 8 comparison saga can been seen in almost all leading tech blogs across the internet. Well, honestly it is slightly odd to compare the two operating systems because both represent a very different philosophy from their parent, i.e. Microsoft.

Windows 7 was the last of a long series of OS platforms that Microsoft created with each version getting more graphic and compatibility upgrades than its predecessor. All of them essentially had the same design and core framework fundamentals. Windows 8 on the other hand is an evolution that Microsoft claims will be the foundation for the next generation of operating system platforms that the software giant will create in future. Windows 8 was developed keeping in mind the rapid influx of user attention to mobile and Tablet PC OS platforms such as Android, iOS, etc. As a result we have this OS which can work seemingly well in multiple hardware platforms such as Desktop, Laptop, Tablet PC and even Smartphones.

On the looks department, no longer do you see the desktop screen from which you can run the utility apps as you used to do in Windows 7 as well as its predecessors. Windows 8 adopts a new age Metro interface wherein all utility applications now termed “Apps” can be downloaded and used from the Windows Store, an online reserve of apps exclusive for Windows 8 compatible devices.

             Upgrade to Windows 8

As far as power consumption is concerned, Windows 8 has been found to be way less power hungry and light on its operational parameters. The advantage it enjoys can be attributed to the multi-platform compatibility the OS offers because you cannot use a power hungry OS in a Smartphone. System requirements of Windows 8 are less than that of Windows 8, which again is courtesy of the concept of multi-hardware usability.

There is no dearth of apps in Windows 8 and all third party apps you used to work with in Windows 7 are still available in Windows 8 as well. Performance wise, Windows 8 has proven to be faster than its predecessors when it comes to boot and startup time, running applications, etc. The only deterrent that some users will feel in Windows 8 is that the Metro interface and tile-based design can prove to be confusing to those who have been used to the previous desktop-based interface.

Nevertheless, Windows 7 was never a failure because it was in a class of its own and as far as the new avatar, i.e. Windows 8 is concerned, it has created a completely new dimension in OS development for Microsoft. So conducting a Windows 7 Vs Windows 8 comparison seems likely out of picture here as both have their own respective stand in the industry.