I’m a big fan of the ability to run Linux distributions from a flash drive, which allows users to try out Linux before committing to an install or even to keep the entire OS on a USB key to use anywhere. It looks like Windows 8 will also have this ability. Liliputing has a nice step by step guide for installing Windows 8 from a flash drive (perfect for installing on netbooks and ultrabooks without an optical drive), and now Brad Linder’s found a good guide to running the whole OS on one.

Dubbed Windows To Go, the OS will allow users to start up Windows 8 by booting from the USB key instead of the hard drive. This may require a change of a computer’s BIOS settings, but this is usually not hard to do.

The Windows 8 image on the flash drive is persistent, which means you can save data to it and that data will be there once you boot it up again, even if you’re on a different computer. Users will be able to install apps and save files just as they would with a normal setup.

The process requires a flash drive with at least 16GB (but bigger is better), the Windows 8 disc image, and the Windows Automated Installation Kit. Remember that Victorinox Slim Duo flash drive I mentioned last week with the two 64GB sticks? That might be just the thing.

However, if you’re going to run an entire OS off of USB drive, you should opt for something fast. Using a USB 3.0 drive with a computer that has a compatible super speed port will also help. Linux is pretty light on resources, unlike Windows, so it will be interesting to see how Windows To Go does performance-wise.

Born City.com has the full set of instructions plus links to where you can download the software and utilities to make this work. Keep in mind that the Windows 8 image you’ll be working with is an early release for developers, not the final operating system. It’s not clear whether Windows To Go will even make it to the final release.

I hope it does, because having an OS on a stick is very useful. Especially if it has all the programs you like or need and your files. I always keep a copy of Linux Mint on USB with me wherever I go just in case I need to help someone with a computer issue or in case something happens to my own laptop. Traveling always carries the risk that something will go wrong with your computer, and if you’re in a foreign country when that happens you might not be able to get tech support or a replacement.

I also heard from a volunteer at a homeless shelter that they encouraged people trying to get back on their feet to have a USB key with a Linux distro and their important files in case they stayed somewhere with a computer.

Regardless of what Microsoft eventually decides, you can get the Windows 8 image and try this for yourself today.

How To Run Windows 8 From A USB Flash Drive is a post by K. T. Bradford from Notebooks.com.

Today Windows officially pulled back the veil of “secrecy” on Windows 8 at Build, their conference for Windows developers. I put that in quotes because we’ve seen quite a lot about it already. If you want to get an early look, then check out their new Windows Developer site after 8PM tonight (Pacific Time).

If you have a Windows Live ID you can get your hands on Windows 8. To be notified by either Twitter or Facebook, go to the above link to the Dev site and click the links to their Twitter or Facebook page and either follow or like Microsoft.

You will see some interesting things in this new build of Windows with Microsoft putting all their eggs in the tablet basket and the new “Metro UI”, which changes the look and feel more drastically than any version of Windows probably since the change from Windows 3.1 to 95 more than 15 years ago.

Most associate the Metro UI with the Windows Phone OS and the Zune interface before it. Tiles instead of icons dominate the look. The philosophy of the interface departs from a bunch of icons on a screen representing applications or a menu found from a single Start button. Instead the various tiles will be used to show off information and launch apps.

The old Windows 95-Windows 7 style interface will be available much like Apple did when they pushed Launchpad and Natural scrolling in OS X Lion. Apple hid Touchpad but made natural scrolling prominent. We expect Microsoft to make the Metro UI the default with the old interface available for those who wish to return to it.

Here are some of the most important changes that will be part of the new OS.

• Touch-centric interface
• Will run on ARM processor devices (tablets) but not in first dev release
• Reset and Refresh PC will let you go back to factory spec much like restore
• multi-touch in most of the OS including IE
• Magnifier for the desktop to help people see interface better
• Skydrive storage integrated
• Mail, Photos, Calendar, and People will get Metro UI
• Windows Store for buying apps
• NFC enables tap to share function
• Antivirus will be built into the OS
• Same versions that run on a desktop will run on tablets

The list comes in part from Engadget.

Windows 8 New Lock Screen - From Microsoft

For more in-depth Windows 8 coverage come back to Notebooks.com and also check out our sister site, GottaBeMobile.com where we will talk about the impact of the new OS on tablets and inking with Windows.

For now, get a look at the Windows 8 video below from Win Rumors.

How to Get Early Access to Windows 8 is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Apple is expected to debut its next major release of Mac OS X, the Company’s flagship operating system for its Macintosh computer. Apple describes this release as advancing the world’s most advanced operating system. When I look at some of the highly touted features, its hard not to point out that these features have been in Windows for a long time. Lets take a look at these new features and some of the hard to accept changes Mac users will have to face.

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1. Full Screen Applications on Lion vs. Full Screen Applications on Windows 7

Apple marketed this like the greatest invention since the graphical user interface. Some Mac users have complained about the inability to fully maximize their applications. Windows users have been able to do this for a long time, here is a look at it in action;

Here you can see I have a PowerPoint presentation set to full screen. If want to auto-hide the Windows 7 Taskbar, you do that too. Here is how you do it.

Taskbar

Click Start, type: taskbar

Control Panel

Hit Enter on your keyboard

Taskbar properties

Under Taskbar (tab) > Taskbar appearance, check the box ‘Auto-hide the taskbar. Click Apply and OK

Full Screen Application on Windows 7

2. Purchasing Mac OS X digitally vs. purchasing Windows 7

I believe this is more of a disadvantage for Mac OS X Lion, since this is the only way to purchase the new version of Mac OS X. Microsoft has been offering Windows 7 as a digital download from the Microsoft Store since its debut in 2009. You can also purchase Windows 7 at almost any electronics store.

One of the immediate disadvantages is for people who don’t have a fast enough Internet connection to purchase Mac OS X as a digital download. Microsoft realizes this and provides Windows 7 both as a digital download or a box license you can purchase in a store. In addition to that you can order a reinstallation disk if you need one from the Microsoft Store or download and burn your own.

Apple doesn’t provide the option to burn an OS X Lion disk. Power users will likely find a workaround, but basic users will be left out.

3. Reinstalling Mac OS X Lion vs. Reinstalling Windows 7

Another problem with Mac OS X Lion when it comes to reinstallation is, in order to reinstall you must first connect to the Internet and validate your Mac’s serial so Apple can determine if it’s approved.

Windows 7 provides product activation too, but it’s not strict like Mac OS X Lion. In fact, you can do a clean install or in place upgrade with the Windows 7 Upgrade disk if you wish, you are given 30 days activate or you can activate by telephone. In fact, if your 30 days are up, you can extend your activation grace period for up to 120 days. So if you are in some remote location where there is no Internet Access or telephone, you can use Windows 7 for a long period of time with ample time to get your installation reactivated.

Recently a Mac user emailed Steve Jobs asking about the options for doing a clean install with Mac OS X Lion:

On Jun 20, 2011, at 9:57 PM, xxxx wrote:

Steve,

I’m really exited about Lion, but I’m a bit anxious about the absence of any physical media in the event of a crash where I need to do a clean install. Will Lion still provide a way to make a bootable image in the event that I need to start from scratch?
And Steve’s typically short response:

From: Steve Jobs
Subject: Re: Lion clean install
Date: June 21, 2011 7:55:05 AM PDT
To: xxxx

You can clean install Snow Leopaard [sic] first.

Sent from my iPhone

You have to authorize your Mac first before you can reinstall Lion on “your” Mac. With Windows, the only thing you have authorize is “Windows”.

Microsoft license agreement does recommend that you have a qualifying operating system installed (Windows XP or Vista) in order the use the Windows 7 Upgrade disk, but based on my experience it is not required. You can do a clean install using the upgrade disc and reactivate by telephone. Also, you have the option of backing up a working image of your Windows 7 installation that’s already activated and restore it without the need to reactivate. Mac OS X requires that you connect to the Internet to reactivate your Mac OS X installation use it.

Speaking of qualifying operating systems, users running older versions of Mac OS X such as Leopard or Tiger will have to upgrade to Snow Leopard to qualify to use Mac OS X Lion. In fact, Snow Leopard is the only way you can download Mac OS X Lion since the App Store it is only available on that version of OS X. So that’s two upgrades required, which works out to more than the $29 Apple advertises for Lion. Windows 7 on the other hand requires either Windows XP or Vista as a qualifying operating system and you can do in place upgrades from Windows Vista.

4. Internet and Restore Utilities vs. Windows 7 System Recovery Environment

System Recovery option in Mac OS X Lion (image: Cult of Mac)

Apple describes its new Restore Partition as something new and unique to Mac OS X Lion, but these are features many Windows PC OEM’s such as DELL, HP, Acer, Lenovo and many others have been offering for years, Apple just caught up in July of 2011. Windows has carried a recovery environment since the release of Vista, with the release of Windows 7, Microsoft made the system recovery environment installed on the hard disk boot drive. So you don’t need to have your Windows installation disk to access it. Just start your computer, press F8, select ‘Repair Computer’ and Hit Enter on your keyboard.

The Apple Restore utilities will let you restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup, reinstall Mac OS X, run Disk Utility or use Safari.

System Recovery Options in Windows 7, available since Vista

Well, you can do most of these features in Windows 7 today, the System Recovery Environment in Windows 7 lets you fix start-up problems, restore a system image and do advanced task such as partition hard disk and other diagnostics tasks. Another great thing, if your hard disk dies or gets corrupted, you always have your Windows 7 reinstallation disk and you can even create your own System Repair disk if you need to repair your Windows 7 installation.

5. AirDrop vs. Windows 7 HomeGroups

AirDrop is Apples simple new solution for sharing files using your local area network. Windows 7 innovated on this front with its New HomeGroups feature which lets you easily network multiple Windows 7 PC’s and share files and even stream media such as music and videos and movies to other PC’s in the home. To even prove how amazing Windows 7 media streaming capabilities are, you can stream music and videos from your Home PC to your Work PC over the Internet. You can enhance this with free tools such as Windows Live Mesh and Windows Live Sync so you can remotely access your files on other computers and keep your files across multiple devices synced.

6. No more Rosetta vs. Compatibility Troubleshooter, Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode

Application compatibility will be an interesting case with Lion; there have been numerous complaints amongst Mac users about how they will run their legacy applications that depend on PowerPC code. With the removal of the real time code translation technology Rosetta, many Apple users will not be able to run some of their favorites old apps. Examples include older versions of Office for Mac 2004, X and programs like Quicken 2007.

Work arounds have been suggested, such as dual booting Snow Leopard and Lion, which will be a chore for many or consider investing in a copy of Windows 7 and virtualization program such as Parallels or VMWare Fusion. One of the hallmarks of Windows has always been compatibility; Microsoft definitely ensures that many legacy programs or older applications can work with the latest version in the most convenient way possible. Some common options include Compatibility Troubleshooter, which allows you to run a program designed for an older version of Windows such as Windows XP or Vista.

Another option if you are running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate is the free Windows Virtual PC with Windows XP Mode software. Windows XP Mode will let you seamlessly run older applications side by side with modern Windows 7 applications. You can pin them to your Taskbar and switch between them like you were running them natively.

7. Hardware Requirements

Windows 7 ultimately takes the cake here. I have Windows 7 running on my 7 year old Dell Dimension 8300 flawlessly. This computer is powered by an Intel Pentium 3.2 GHz Northwood 32 bit processor. The only computers Apple sold back in 2004 were PowerPC Macs, so obviously they could never run Mac OS X Lion or even Snow Leopard.

Mac OS X Lion calls for a Core 2 Duo, Xeon or Core 2 Quad capable Mac. That means, Intel Macintosh computers that came out in early 2006 won’t be able to run the latest version of Mac OS X because they are 32 bit only, all Core Duo Macs are left behind. Windows 7 on the other hand runs on a variety of processor models, whether its Core Duo, Intel Pentium, Xeon, Core 2 Quad, Centrino and the next version of Windows will run on ARM processors from a variety of manufacturers. Unlike Mac OS X, Windows does not rule out still capable hardware and does not require a lot to run it. The minimum memory requirement for Lion is 2 GB of RAM, while Windows 7 requires a minimum 1 GB of RAM.

Conclusion

The intention of this article is not to put Apple in a bad light, but the execution of this release seems more troublesome than welcome. Upgrading to Lion seems more like a hassle than a necessity, the system requirements, the requirements to download and install it, the requirements to reinstall it if necessary make Windows 7 a better operating system almost two years after its release to market. When you compare the key feature set, Lion is just catching up with some of the features Windows had for years.

Windows 7 versus Mac OS Lion: 7 Reasons Windows 7 is Better is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

Defragmenting is one of the maintenance tasks you have most certainly heard about when it comes to using Windows, but not everyone knows how it works or how to defragment your hard drive.

What is Defragmenting?

Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your disks and drives can work more efficiently. When you don’t fragment your hard disk, it has to work extra hard and this can ultimately slow down your computer. Of course this can be one factor.

We looked at other options for optimizing the performance of your PC by doing regular task such as removing programs you no longer use, using Ready Boost, moving frequently used files to an external storage device.

How to Defragment Your Hard Drive:

To start defragmenting, click Start, type: Defrag

Then hit Enter on your keyboard

This will open the Disk Defragmenter utility:

Before we begin, we should first find out if the disk does need defragmenting. To do so, click the Analyze disk button.

Analyzing the disk to see if it needs defragging.

The results show that only 6% percent of my hard disk is fragmented, so that’s not such bad deal for me, but I will go ahead and defrag it anyway. If yours is considerably more than this, it is definitely recommended you defragment the disk.

Defragment in progress.

This is a very boring task, I suggest you find something else to do or defrag at a time that you find most convenient. Disk Defragmenter might take anywhere from several minutes to a few hours to finish, depending on the size and degree of fragmentation of your hard disk.

Although you can do other tasks while Defragmenter operates in the background, I recommend you don’t use the computer during this time. Also, you can setup a schedule you find appropriate to run the Defragmenter.

Quick Tip: How to Defragment Your Hard Drive is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

The first time I saw Microsoft Windows was in the days of version 2 when it was not much more than a file manager with a few little applications like a calculator and Write. That’s a little exaggerated, but not much. The point is I’ve been a hard-core Windows guy for more than 17 years.

Switching to a Mac running Mac OS X Snow Leopard has been a bit of a shock to my system. Suddenly everything I’ve taken for granted, like hitting the Window key and typing “Wor” (without quotes) to get to Microsoft Word or clicking one button to fill the screen with my window, are gone. It feels like walking in the wind without your pants.

The new MacBook Air was enough to entice me on this cruise through the streets of Cupertino (hometown of Apple). And while I’mloving the hardware and even like the OS and a few of the programs I’ve been using, I feel awkward. It is usually the littlethings like, selecting the word uncomfortable and copying it to paste it into the Dictionary app in order to find a better synonym in the Thesaurus feature.

Yes, I initially typed “I feel uncomfortable” but that word didn’t say it. I tried to do a CONTROL+SHIFT+Left Arrow which in Windows selects the previous word for you. Then choose CONTROL+C and it is copied. Click the Dictionary application and Control+V pastes it.

Not on a Mac. No, CONTROL+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW selects the whole line. CONTROL+C doesn’t seem to do anything, nor does CONTROL+V. And where are my END, HOME, PG UP and PG DOWN buttons?

But there is help. For a list of Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts, I went over to Apple and found them. I learned that CONTROL+C indeed does nothing unless some application wants it to. But it is not a system-wide shortcut. COMMAND+C copies and COMMAND+V pastes. In fact most Windows functions done with the CONTROL button are replaced by the COMMAND button. And CONTROL+V sometimes is a page down command. But not always – as in Chrome where it does nothing. To go to the end of the line use COMMAND+RIGHT ARROW and to the beginning use the LEFT ARROW instead.

Just as frustrating as some things are in OS X, like typing, others are a joy. Uninstalling software by just sending its icon to the trash from the Applications folder is much easier than uninstalling Windows applications. Also, I now see why Windows 7 has been called very Mac-like. The Dock and it’s icons are much more useful than the Task Bar icons in older versions of Windows. Windows 7 has nearly caught up. Finally, I have found that things like adding printers and other hardware is far simpler in OS X.

One site that has been a big help in this process has been MacVsWindows.com. It is a Wiki site with user edited articles comparing the two operating systems. I learned a lot from reading some of them. For example, I learned that on the Mac that frustrating little green button with the plus sign doesn’t maximize a window to cover the whole screen. Why? And why isn’t there a way to do that with a single click built into the OS?

The site is a work in progress but it taught me some things. If you are switching, check it out. Also, I’ve been helped greatly by some of the videos on Lynda.com. This is a video training site that only costs $25/month to use. I’ve gained a lot of help in the short time I’ve been using it to learn about OS X.

So, after a few days I’m getting the hang of Mac OS X Snow Leopard. So much so that I find myself wanting to double tap my Windows notebook trackpad for a right-click. But I still keep looking for the End/Home keys on the MacBook.

I’ll get there! If you have any suggested web sites for switchers, leave a comment below or send me a message on Twitter @kapurcell.

Switching to OS X from Window: the Fun and Frustrations is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

It seems like just yesterday Windows 7 was released to manufacturing. Time flies indeed! I remember my first experience with Windows 7 which was the developer preview build 6801 released at the Microsoft Public Developer Conference in October 2008.

Of course, it was still early in the development phase and you didn’t see a lot of the key features we now enjoy in Windows 7. Functionality like the increased performance, enhanced Taskbar, desktop effects, new ways of sharing and enjoying media through HomeGroup networking and a more secure experience that’s positive and informative. Windows 7 is no doubt an exceptional release and will define the PC going forward.

A lot has happened since Windows 7 was made generally available in late October 2009. It’s now deployed on over 240 million systems world-wide, its driving the growth of 64 bit computing with 46% of PC’s running the 64 bit variant.

Microsoft has continued to light up the Windows 7 experience with value added services such as Windows Live, which consist of Windows Live Essentials and online services such as Live Photos, Live Hotmail and more. The Windows Live Team recently released the latest version called  Windows Live Essentials 2011 which includes great improvements to working with videos, photos and sharing with family and friends. Windows Live Essentials 2011 includes features that take greater advantage of Windows 7 too.

So what has it been like for me since I upgraded to this release of Windows?

I have been running Windows 7 code since 2008, I upgraded to BETA in January 2009 and then the Release Candidate in May of 2009, I ran these pre-release versions of the OS every day on my systems. Windows 7 during its development was a different type of beta testing, it was more mainstream than past releases. Some would say this was because it was more of a iteration of Windows Vista, but I have to disagree. Windows Vista was architecturally important, and Windows 7 is too, but the difference I am realizing with Windows 7 is the teamwork that took place throughout the industry. Everybody seem to be on the same page from day one. Microsoft’s Hardware and Software partners were more committed and intended to really shape their products and services around this release compared to past releases. Other than the industry support though, I was most excited by the focus on further innovating the user experience, the interaction between user and PC.

User Interface

Windows 7′s new Taskbar is out the gate impressive, I don’t see anything like it on any other other operating system. Taskbar effects such as Thumbnail previews are delightfully implemented with the ability to hover them and see large size previews, you can quickly close them and efficiently navigate the user interface more effectively and intuitively. You can also move around open window buttons on the Taskbar which is a feature users have requested for many years.

Also, I like how its so much is easier to control the Notification Area behaviours, you can also quickly access your Network Locations using the new View Available Networks menu in the notification area. Jump List is another plus when using the Windows 7 Taskbar and Start Menu, you can quickly access recent files or start new task, the immediate benefits there is the cohesiveness of how the Windows 7 user experience works.

Search results are contextual, HomeGroups makes it easier to find and share information, not to mention the simplicity it ads to tasks such as networking, you can stream media such as music, videos across your network or leave your PC on and stream the media to your PC at work, so you can always have access to your media library, anywhere.

Lets not forget about the productive features like Aero Peek for quickly viewing the desktop, Aero Snaps for data comparison (this is especially great when you are referencing information and Aero shake to quickly minimize windows in the background. Windows 7 is such a pleasant experience, and it gives you so much control while being simple to use. You are also able to resize gadgets, you have a wide collection of beautiful themes and you can even create your own slideshow themes or choose from a wide collection of pre-packaged themes on the Microsoft Personalize Gallery.

Security

Security is always important and its never been more important than now. Windows has a strong market penetration world wide and Microsoft realizes that its a target of many malicious attacks. I have been running Windows on the same desktop since March 2004, upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista and now Windows 7. I must say, there is partly a lot of FUD coming from the Open Source community about Windows. I have never had a compromised system running Windows. Yes I do take precautions which every user should do regardless of their OS platform of choice.

Windows really has a strong suite of security tools built in, mostly transparent and automated for the end user. The most controversial one that was introduced in Windows Vista that I can safely say is not the case anymore is User Account Control. Microsoft had good intentions when this was introduced in Windows Vista, but the implementation was a bit too aggressive and not intuitive with how it works. In Windows 7, I rarely encounter the UAC prompt over the past year, yes the occasional apps might bring it up during install (Apple iTunes/Adobe Acrobat). Apart from that its been smooth sailing, another lovely improvement, you can customize the UAC experience too, the only option you had in Windows Vista was on or off.

There are a number of improvements throughout Windows 7 where security is concerned, again features such as UAC, Address Space Layout Randomization, Data Execution Prevention are all there along with some new additions such as Stack Protection, Heap Protection and Structured Exception Handler Overwrite. Safe Unlinking prevents pool over-run attacks, which is a common exploit technique that happens when memory (on the heap) is dynamically allocated by the application at run-time and typically contains program data. The exploitation occurs by corrupting the data in a certain way causing an application to overwrite internal structures such as linked list pointers. (this is part is really for the super geeky) Safe Unlinking prevents this by performing a Bug Check as an over-run is detected, which will prevent further memory corruption, crashes and errors.

Although BitLocker is still limited to the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows 7, once BitLocker to Go is enabled the device can still be used on any edition of Windows 7 in addition to Windows XP. BitLocker is also easier to install and configure, simply right-click a drive in Computer Explorer and click the ‘Turn on BitLocker’ option on the contextual menu. I noticed though that large devices 2 GBs or more can take a long time to encrypt, so I suggest you don’t do it on a whim. Other improvements include no need for manual partitioning or use of third party tools. Windows 7 also creates a hidden partition for BitLocker instead of a new one like Vista.

AutoPlay will no longer support the AutoRun functionality for non-optical removable media. In other words, AutoPlay will still work for CD/DVDs but it will no longer work for USB drives. For example, if an infected USB drive is inserted on a machine then the AutoRun task will not be displayed. This will block the increasing social engineer threat highlighted in the SIR. The dialogs below highlight the difference that users will see after this change. Before the change, the malware was leveraging AutoRun (box in red) to confuse the user. After the change, AutoRun will no longer work, so the AutoPlay options are safe.

You also get full system imaging capability in all editions of Windows 7, so you backup the entire PC to an external hard disk and restore it when needed, (Vista Home Premium, Home Basic and Starter only has backup and restore).

Compatibility

Only one application I have is not working and that’s Mobile Phone Tools, I need to upgrade to a better phone to use latest version 5x release which works on Windows 7. My Motorola C350 is old anyway, had it since 2000, but I have been able to work around it by using the free Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate.

Windows XP Mode is probably the solution a lot of users have been looking for, the seamless experience it provides users running legacy applications alongside Windows 7 makes the compatibility story a better one. There is a minor level of complexity involved and at the same time I am disappointed to know this is only an option for certain Windows 7 SKU’s. Since its introduction, Microsoft has removed an initial requirement that the CPU supports hardware assisted virtualization, although it is still recommended for enhanced performance, the removal should make it easier for end users who have complex compatibility requirements to embrace it.

Users must also remember that they are running another computer, which requires maintenance just as the physical machine, which includes installing an Antivirus and keeping it up to date along with keeping the OS updated too. I wish the coherence could be a bit more detailed where UI is concerned, such as making the windows of Virtual Applications adapt the Aero Glass window frames, just to match the look and feel of Windows 7. The ability to install legacy applications out of the Virtual Machine would have been a great option I would like to see. It’s a minor complaint considering the boost it gives users to breathe new life into old applications while moving forward with the benefits of Windows 7.

Application Compatibility otherwise in Windows 7 is just great, the majority of applications I had running in Windows Vista continue to function just fine under Windows 7, I have a library of about 108 apps and I have tested everyone to come to a conclusion that Windows 7 has done an excellent job in this respect by bringing your investments forward. The same can be said for hardware devices, my old HP 840c printer works, so does my Canon A520 digital camera, my HP ScanJet 2400 Scanner, iPod Touch, external storage devices.

There might be some users with complex setups, so I can only speak for myself, but most times, all you need to do is go to the manufacturer’s website to download the latest available drivers, you can check Windows Update which does a good job of providing the latest drivers for components such as your video and sound card.

One of the experiences I love in Windows 7 is the out of box compatibility, just like Vista, I have one of the cleanest Device Managers, there was basically nothing I had to install after installation. Just on the web browsing, tweeting, blogging and posting on Facebook, listening music right away. Windows 7 delivers a really sophisticated, out of box experience, you gotta give the Windows Team kudos there.

Windows Troubleshooting makes resolving common problems so much easier too, you get up 27 of them with additional ones available for download. Windows 7 is more efficient, if you are using a laptop in direct sunlight, it adjusts the brightness for optimal use. There is also better memory management, better use of multiple processors, a feature called trigger loading of services, so you use your hardware and components better. So, things like your network adapter are only in use when you need it or when you are going to play a DVD.

Performance

Faster resume from hibernation and sleep, you can customize your Windows 7 installation and remove components you don’t use often, such as DVD Maker, Tablet features. Another feature of Search I love too is it keeps a history recently used queries when you search from explorer, you also see real time high light of key words, you can even create Search Connectors that search your favorite website’s within Windows. Windows 7 really focuses on reducing the amount of mouse clicks required of previous releases.

Of course, performance is not just limited to how you interact with the user interface, but there are low level improvements that I definitely appreciate. Today, mobile PCs send energy to parts of the computer when they are not being used, such as sending power to the network adapter when you don’t have an Ethernet cable plugged-in. Windows 7 automatically turns off power to the network adapter when the cable is disconnected and restores power when the cable is connected.

Making users aware of the battery life status is key in Windows 7 for a better; the Battery Life Notification Area applet provides prominent, timely information to ensure that you can use your notebook in tight situations where there is no power. You actually realize these benefits when you actually put a laptop to use in real world scenarios and I have to say I have seen it and appreciate it.

Some additional examples of this include reducing the amount of background activities by supporting the trigger-starting of services. Adaptive Display Brightness automatically reduces display brightness after a certain period of inactivity similar to cell phones. Less power is required to watch a DVD because Windows 7 requires less processing power which leads to a more efficient way to spinning the disk, this leads to benefits such as watching a full length movie on a single battery charge.

Going Forward

I honestly cannot cover everything, some of what I have even discussed here is just a foot note. Windows 7 continues to be an exceptional release one year later. Its success in the market place is a testament to that. Microsoft went through a period where I believe, certain things had to happen to produce this powerful release. Vista’s initial market reception gave it the wrong life long reception it did not deserve, in some ways, Windows 7 is righting that wrong.

What does the future hold for Windows 7? Microsoft recently released a beta of the next version of its popular web browser, Internet Explorer 9, you can check out our preview here. Well, back in July, Microsoft released the first beta for the first major maintenance update called Service Pack 1 for Windows 7. This update promises to be a minor release in comparison to previous Service Packs for Windows. I have been running it daily since its availability and there is not much to see except for a few small changes here and there (increment of the build number from 7600 to 7601). Microsoft is expected to release a final version some time in the first quarter of 2011. Waiting on Service Pack 1 to upgrade to Windows 7 doesn’t really make much sense, since you have most of what’s in SP1 today through Windows Update. Windows 7 offers a truly immerse, engaging, delightful and powerful experience. It’s definitely a pleasure to boot up my computer everyday and utilize its many capabilities, some of which I am still discovering!

Windows 7 Year in Review – A Look Back after 240 Million Licenses Sold is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

Jolicloud just released Jolicloud 1.0, an operating system designed for netbook, as a free download for use with your netbook.

Last month, we covered Netbook News’ hands-on preview of the Linux-based netbook operating system. It is designed to run on most netbooks in a dual-boot environment, meaning that users can use Jolicloud in cohorts with the netbook’s original operating system, such as Windows XP. It also takes advantage of cloud-based services to back up content and conserve space on the netbook’s hard drive.

Jolicloud aims to blur the line between web and native apps with its new 1.0 OS. This means that users can create shortcuts in the program launcher for websites such as Google Docs and Gmail. This is very similar to creating shortcuts on Apple iOS devices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKhsUBJ5ocg&feature=player_embedded#!

Jolicloud 1.0 is available in two separate downloads. One is a 16MB installer that runs on Windows XP or Windows 7, downloading and installing the operating system alongside Windows. The other download is a 689MB ISO file that can be loaded on a USB flash drive. The second option should be used to install Jolicloud 1.0 on a netbook that doesn’t run Windows.

Want to check it out before downloading? No problem.  Just visit my.jolicloud.com, using the Google Chrome web browser.

Via Liliputing

Jolicloud 1.0 Netbook OS Now Available is a post by Carter Sprunger from Notebooks.com.

Sascha Pallenberg from NetbookNews (page in German) got a hold of the new unreleased Jolicloud 1.0 update and quickly installed it on his new Acer Aspire One 533 and tested it out. Fortunately for us he documented the newest version of JoliCloud on video.

Here is Pallenberg’s initial hands on with JoliCloud 1.0 video, scroll down for more about the JoliCloud operating system and to learn what’s new.

Jolicloud is a free Linux-based operating system designed with the Netbook in mind. You can set it up on your netbook in a dual-boot environment allowing you to use both Windows and Jolicloud depending on which one you select when you first start the netbook. With netbooks in mind, Jolicloud is designed  to take special advantage of cloud based apps and tools in order to backup your content and conserve space on your hard drive. Hence the name of the OS. Some netbooks have smaller drives, especially older ones and those with solid state drives. Also, if you already have Windows installed, you may not have as much room for another OS.

One of the coolest features in Jolicloud is the one click install for new apps. If you have ever tried to install an app on Linux, you know it can be a challenge with all the dependencies often required to install new software in the OS. Dependencies are those files that are required to be installed in order for your selected app to run.

In the video Pallenberg says the new version is very fast and connects quickly to online tools Boxee, a service used to watch video from the Internet. He calls it a fantastic update” and a huge improvement” over the previous version.

Jolicloud supports HTML 5 and has many apps that you will recognize like Firefox, Hulu, and Boxee. He reported that the folks from Jolicloud have a million apps to install. Pallenberg also said it has great driver support.

In this video Pallenberg gives us a walk through of the previous version that he refers to in the above video:

Over at the Jolicloud blog, on July 9th, they posted the following regarding when it will become available:

We will progressively roll out Jolicloud 1.0 to all users starting next week, but we’ll give priority to our founding members who have been here since the first Alpha release. You’ll be notified in your Update page when you have been selected to upgrade. Just follow the instructions and restart – making sure that you are connected to the Internet to activate your new Jolicloud.

You can download the prior version now from the Jolicloud website and you will get the update soon.

Jolicloud 1.0 Hands On Video is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

MeeGo, the new operating system created from the merging of Nokia Maemo and Intel Moblin, is at its first release, MeeGo 1.0.

From the press release:

MeeGo v1.0 is available for download at MeeGo.com to the developer community. MeeGo v1.0 delivers a wealth of Internet, computing and communication features with rich graphics, multi-tasking capabilities and Google Chrome browser integration. This release delivers on MeeGo’s commitment to combine the best core architecture features of Nokia’s Maemo and Intel’s Moblinâ„¢ projects. Manufacturers and operating system vendors can use this release to create and customize netbooks or begin work on development for other devices including netbooks and entry-level desktops, smartphones, in-vehicle infotainment devices, connected TVs, media phones and more.

What is included in MeeGo 1.0?

According to their web site:

• Visually rich Netbook user experience, building on the latest open source technologies.
• Instant access to your synchronized calendar, tasks, appointments, recently used files and real-time social networking updates through the home screen.
• Aggregation of your social networking content. This allows you to see your social networking activities on one screen, easily interact with your friends, and update your status and site information.
• For a fast and rich Internet experience the MeeGo Netbook user experience integrates Google Chrome or, if you prefer a fully open source browser solution, Google Chromium is also provided. Soon we will be releasing the MeeGo Handset user experience which will use the Fennec Mozilla Browser.
• Easy to use applications for email, calendar and media player.
• Highly optimized for power and performance.
• Languages: Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Swedish, Polish, Finnish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, English, British English

New releases are planned on a six month intervals. MeeGo v1.1 will be released in October and it will include support for touch-based devices, such as handsets, tablets, and in-vehicle “Infotainment” systems.

MeeGo is an operating system to keep an eye on. It may give the new Google Chrome OS a run for its money, but it will all depend on how many users, and device manufacturers, pick up on MeeGo.

MeeGo v1.0 for Netbooks ready for developers is a post by Amy from Notebooks.com.

Today we take a look at the improved Windows Anytime Upgrade feature in Windows 7, first introduced in Vista. The Windows Team did an excellent job with the user experience. I attempted it once under Vista when I tried to do Anytime Upgrade from Vista Home Basic to Business on my sister in laws notebook, but discovered this was not supported. I got an opportunity to take it for a spin under Windows 7 to see if was improved and I must say I am very impressed and I know you will be too if the need arises.

The amazing thing about Anytime Upgrade is how quick and simple the process is, Microsoft estimates at least 10 minutes in comparison to Vista’s 30 minute or more process. Based on my trial, it was at least 7 minutes, some persons have even reported at least 5 mins for Anytime Upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium to Ultimate.

If you are running supported SKU’s such as Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium or even Professional, you will have the option of upgrading to a higher SKU. Microsoft has made each of the SKU’s a subset of features, so a user can do an Anytime Upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium to Professional, unlike Vista which only allowed Anytime Upgrades from certain SKU’s:

Vista Home Basic Home Premium or Ultimate

Vista Business Ultimate

All that has changed, if you want to move from Home Premium to Professional, you will have that option. No need to reinstall your applications or backup your personal data.

Just like Windows Vista, you can launch the Anytime Upgrade wizard from the Start menu > All Programs group or from within the Control Panel. The wizard provides two methods to unlocking a higher SKU, you can go online, purchase a license or if you already have a key, just enter it. This is major positive for customers who might not have a credit card or Internet Access.

Enter your product key

Verifying product key

Accept License Agreement

During the Anytime Upgrade Process, your computer will be restarted.

10 minutes? Try 7!

  And there you have it, a smooth upgrade, no issues.

Pricing:

Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade Pricing List for USA

    * Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium: $79.99

    * Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Professional: $114.99

    * Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Ultimate: $164.99

    * Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional: $89.99

    * Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate: $139.99

    * Windows 7 Professional to Windows 7 Ultimate: $129.99

Microsoft has made this such a convenient procedure, no need for physical media, no need to go online, just enter your key and forget about it. What’s most impressive is how quick the process is.

Resources:

Windows Anytime Upgrade: Windows 7 Home Premium to Ultimate

Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade Unlocking more benefits is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.