New PCs and Windows 7 Hits Store Shelves

The long wait is over. Brand new desktop and laptop designs loaded with Windows 7 became available to the public yesterday, October 22. Microsoft has placed a lot of hope in the new operating system. Microsoft’s reputation is on the line, and if Windows 7 does not redeem the Vista fiasco, at least in some measure, there could be some dark days ahead for the software giant.

I consider myself fortunate to be at Best Buy yesterday to check out the kick off of Windows 7. The closest Best Buy is a one hundred mile round trip for us. I must confess I did not go to all the trouble of making the drive just to go to Best Buy. I had other business in the same town, and it just happened to be Windows 7 release day.

What I witnessed yesterday was anything but a lukewarm acceptance of Microsoft’s latest offering. People flooded into the store to see the new play toys, and they were not disappointed. Almost every laptop and desktop on display was of a new design, and the prices were right for people looking for a good buy. Several of these people related that they resisted buying a Vista machine and had been waiting for Windows 7 before purchasing their new computer.

One gentleman remarked he was very happy to have returned his Vista laptop to the store of purchase to get full credit for it just two weeks ago. He intimated a strong dislike for Vista based on his experience with his former laptop. He went on to say it was horribly slow, and aggravating despite the fact it was powered by a dual core processor. He picked out the laptop he wanted and proceeded to check out. He mentioned in particular the UAC (User Account Control) that interrupted him almost every time he tried to do just routine menial tasks. The fact is there are around five areas in which Vista can be tweaked that make a world of difference in its performance. Once those areas are remedied, Vista is rock solid and a pleasure to use. Most users however do not want the frustration of having to tweak the OS to get their work done, and who can blame them. They want something that just plain works. Windows 7 may be just the ticket.

After looking over every PC in the store, and playing with Windows 7 for a while, I have to admit I am impressed with it. It is better than Vista; it looks good, and runs well. I saw more laptops and desktops going out the door than I have ever seen on any other day, including Christmas. Laptops were by far the biggest seller, but there was a sprinkling of desktops as well. I did not purchase anything, as I pre-ordered two upgrade disks of Windows 7 during the special offer period a few months back. I am going to upgrade my Toshiba laptop from Vista to Windows 7 when I receive my disks. I have been told they were shipped via express mail yesterday.

No offense to Apple Mac devotees, but the Apple rep in this Best Buy location yesterday looked a lot like the Maytag repairman.

How about you, did you hurry down to Best Buy to purchase that new Windows 7 computer, or did you greet the new release with a period of extended yawning?