Which Windows do I Want?

The simplest answer to this question if your are currently running Windows XP, is that you should skip Windows Vista altogether. There is no reason to upgrade your PC from Windows XP to Vista now since Windows 7 is set to launch October 22, 2009. If you by a new PC today with Windows XP or Vista, you should receive a FREE certificate to upgrade to Windows 7.

Whether you should upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 depends on several things:

• How old is your current PC?

• What are the main tasks you use your PC for?

• How many legacy applications are you using?

• Do you have a domain network running Windows Server 2003 SP2 or Windows Server 2008?

• How old are the printers and other peripheral hardware on your network or connected to your PC?

How old is your current PC?

If your PC is more than a year old, it really does not make sense to upgrade especially if it is currently running Windows XP. The hardware requirements for Windows 7 would most likely be met by your PC, but there would definitely be a decrease in overall performance.

Also, with an estimated upgrade price of $199.99, this is more than half the cost of many new PC's on the market today. If you are considering upgrading to Windows 7, wait a few more months and buy a new PC that has Windows 7 already loaded on it. Just remember to recycle that old PC.

What are the main tasks you use your PC for?

If you mainly use your PC to create a few text documents, a spread sheet or two, surf the Internet, and send email, then it does not make sense to upgrade your operating system. If it works, don't change. Upgrading your current PC to Vista or Windows 7 will not increase your productivity. In fact, it will likely decrease your productivity until you learn the new OS and then only if your hardware can run Vista or Windows 7 efficiently.

How many legacy applications are you using?

If you currently run several applications that are old enough to still be DOS based, or do not run well on Vista, then it does not make sense to upgrade to Windows 7. Windows Vista and Windows 7 have both eliminated DOS and do not play nice with applications that need to run in compatibility mode.

If you want to have a PC with the latest OS, but your legacy applications work on your current PC, skip upgrading and simply buy a new PC. Keep the legacy software on the old one and learn the new OS. Then look for modern software that has the same or more functionality than your legacy software. Also, you may be surprised that it is less costly today to have a custom application designed for your legacy software than it is to keep using old software.

Do you have a network running Windows Server 2003 SP2 or Windows Server 2008?

If you are running a domain network that is not running the the latest server platform, then it does not make sense to upgrade. There are many advances in Windows Vista and Windows 7 that a network administrator can take advantage of using Windows Server 2003 SP2 or Windows Server 2008. However, there will be very little gain to the network if you upgrade the workstations but not the servers. You would be much better off spending the money to upgrade your domain servers to Windows Server 2008 before even considering upgrading the workstations to Vista or Windows 7.

How old are the printers and other peripherals on your network or connected to your PC?

If your printer is more than a year old, or you use unique or special peripherals such as label printers, scanners, or disk drives, especially if they are not USB capable, then it does not make sense to upgrade to Vista or Windows 7. Many older peripherals do not have updated drivers that allow them to work with Windows Vista and if they won't work with Vista, they certainly won't work with Windows 7.

Many users still have printers with parallel cables and ports. Most new PCs don't even have a parallel port and many more are also dropping the 9 pin com ports. The next generation of PCs will only use USB or Firewire connections. If you upgrade your PC, you may need to also upgrade your peripherals.

The Bottom Line

Here at Vision Quest, we truly believe in squeezing out every bit of ROI on purchased hardware. Rarely do we suggest upgrading an OS. Typically the only reason to upgrade Windows on any PC is if it is running a home version but should be running a business version. But that is another article.

However, if you are running Windows XP and/or Windows Server 2003, you need to start budgeting to upgrade SOON!

Windows XP was released December 31, 2001 with the last licenses being sold January 31, 2009. You can no longer purchase Windows XP. Also the product is more than 7 years old and is not designed to take advantage of the hardware performance resources available in today's PCs. Of more immediate concern from a security standpoint is that Microsoft no longer provides mainstream support for Windows XP and will not be releasing any more service packs or updates for any version of Windows XP. This means that any new vulnerabilities, viruses, or other security issues will no longer be patched leaving your PC and network vulnerable.

Windows Server 2003 was released May 28, 2003 with the last licenses being sold March 2009. You can no longer purchase Windows Server 2003 in retail form. Also the product is more than 6 years old and is not designed to take advantage of the resources available in today's server hardware. Of more immediate concern from a security standpoint is that Microsoft will end mainstream support for Server 2003 in July of 2010 and has stopped providing service packs and updates as of April 2009. This means that any new vulnerabilities, viruses, or other security issues will no longer be patched leaving your server and network vulnerable.

We strongly suggest that if you have a network, to first upgrade your servers to Windows 2008 and once that has been completed, start replacing workstations as they fail or are no longer productive with new hardware preloaded with Windows 7 Professional. The cost difference between replacing the actual hardware versus upgrading the OS will be well paid back in the increase in performance and productivity.

Tech Tip

How to change Text Size in Internet Explorer

If you have a "wheel mouse" there is an easy way to change the text size in Internet Explorer while viewing a web page. Simply hold the ctrl key while you spin the mouse wheel up to increase text size, or down to decrease text size.

Tech Term

Internet Protocol Address

Also known as an "IP address" or "IP number" or simply an "IP". An "IP address" is an address made up of numbers separated by periods that identifies a particular computer or other device attached to a network or the Internet. Every computer, whether it be a Web server or the computer you're using right now, requires an IP address to connect to the Internet.

IP addresses consist of four sets of numbers from 0 to 255, separated by three periods. For example "66.72.98.236" or "216.239.115.148". Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), will assign you either a static IP address which is always the same or a dynamic IP address, which changes every time you log on.

Your home internet service more than likely uses a dynamic IP address. Your work network should have a static IP address. If it does not, you should consider upgrading your office connection to a dedicated IP address.

By using a dedicated IP address at your office, you can remotely access your office network from any PC with an Internet connection. That way, if your are at home, you do not need to drive back to the office just to get a file you left at work.