You like high-profile cage matches? It doesn't get more intense than the operating system that encompasses Microsoft's hopes and dreams, Windows 7, going processor-to-processor against a refreshed and re-invigorated Snow Leopard from Apple. Can Windows 7 move past the failures of its predecessor Vista, or will Snow Leopard turn this into a one-cat fight? See what three CNET editors think of Windows 7 versus Snow Leopard in our latest Prizefight. You better believe it's subjective.
With the public release of Apple's Snow Leopard operating system upgrade today, there have been some concerns about legacy compatibility. Perhaps the biggest worry was with Adobe Photoshop CS3, which has proven to be a nonissue, but there have been others, too.
If you're curious about whether your current software will work on OS X 10.6, checking out this list is a good place to start. Comprehensive and alphabetized, it offers a simple red, yellow, or green light to indicate a program's status. Games are included, too, so Age of Empires and World of Warcraft fans can find out whether they should grab Snow Leopard now or wait for the likely fix to come out.
Experienced any problems with Snow Leopard? Tell us in the comments below.
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Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)
Finally, the wait for the next iteration of Apple's flagship operating system is over. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard will officially become available for wide release August 28. Apple has refined just about everything in the latest OS, from new and useful interface enhancements to core technologies that make your Mac run more smoothly.
We got a chance to explore everything Snow Leopard has to offer and we think there's plenty for Mac fans to be excited about. For the complete rundown of all things Mac OS X 10.6, read our review of Snow Leopard.
Preorder two copies of the Windows 7 upgrade, then sell one later to recoup all your costs.
(Credit: Microsoft)By now you've undoubtedly heard the news: Until July 11 (or while supplies last), you can preorder the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade for $49.99.
After the deal expires, that same upgrade will cost you $119.99. Needless to say, if you're interested in Windows 7, now's the time to buy.
My advice: buy two. Then, after Windows 7 ships (on October 22), turn around and sell your spare copy for $100. Obviously that's $20 less than the list price, meaning you should have no trouble moving it on eBay, Craigslist, or wherever.
At the same time, you recoup 100 percent of your investment and get Windows 7 to boot (literally).
Risky? A gamble? Perhaps, but to this day upgrade copies of Vista are selling on eBay for $100 and more. And that's two years later. The only real downside is that you're out $100 for about four months. Worth it? Let me know in the comments.
In the meantime, keep in mind that if you're a Windows XP user, there's no automated way to upgrade your system to Windows 7--not without wiping your hard drive. (Vista users, however, can upgrade directly.)
That means you'll need to back up your drivers, data, and the like, install Windows 7, restore your stuff, reinstall your applications, etc. It's a hassle, but in the end you'll have an outta-the-box-fast PC with a spiffy new OS.
And a free one at that.
Since 2002 when Microsoft introduced Windows XP, its signature operating system has proved to have more stamina than anybody would have originally thought. Despite missteps in Vista, that OS still managed to introduce useful new features, and set the stage for Windows 7.
This chart provides a rundown of some of the major features introduced in each Windows iteration, as well as a quick look at the minimum hardware requirements for XP, Vista, and 7. Keep in mind that Windows 7 is still in its testing phase, though it's not expected that other major features will debut before it's released during the coming holiday season. You can download the Windows 7 release candidate from CNET Download.com.
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As others have noted, Windows 7 does one thing similar to Windows XP: It doesn't require a major hardware upgrade. In fact, it can run on less powerful machines than Vista. By making 7 as accessible as possible for existing computers, Microsoft looks to be angling to regain lost market share and confidence by giving users a operating system they don't have to struggle with. Until Windows 7 makes its public debut, though, this is little more than informed speculation.
The first official release candidate for Windows 7 includes impressive new features like XP Mode and remote streaming media, as well as smaller tweaks to make the OS work better than it did in beta. Click through to see what's different.
The best thing to happen to Microsoft's public relations in years, Windows 7 is more than just spin. The latest official update to what some are calling the largest shareware trial period ever introduces more than mere bug fixes as the operating system upgrades from beta to release candidate. The Windows 7 Release Candidate does contain several major and minor changes, but the overall experience remains largely unchanged.
What's most important to you about the release candidate will depend on your perspective. Certainly, one of the biggest new features makes Windows Media Player useful again: you can now stream media files from one Windows 7 computer to another, across the Internet and out of network. Even better, the set up procedure is dead simple.
Windows Media Player now offers media streaming using your Windows Live ID.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)When you open Windows Media Player, there's a new Stream option on the toolbar. Click it and you're presented with two choices. Both require you to associate your computer with your Windows Live ID. When you've associated a second Windows 7's WMP with that same ID, you can remotely access the media on the host computer.
A less glitzy but no less important change to how removable drives are handled also can impact your media. Unlike Windows XP and Windows Vista, Windows 7 will no longer AutoRun external hard drives and USB keys when they're connected. This kills off a risky vector for malware infections that has been the bane of many security experts.
Experts and people or companies who hope to use Windows 7 for business situations will appreciate the new XP Mode. It doesn't have much of a practical application for the home consumer, but if you need to access programs designed for Windows XP that have not been upgraded to Windows Vista or 7, XP Mode creates a virtual environment within Windows 7 that should assuage any fears of upgrading without backward compatibility.
It's not easy to set up once you've downloaded the XP Mode installer. You'll need to double-check that you have the right hardware and can get the right software. Hardware Virtualization Technology, also known as AMD-V, Vanderpool, or VT-d, must be supported for it to work. Motherboards older than two years probably won't work, and even if you do have a newer one you might have to go into your BIOS and activate Hardware Virtualization. CPU-identification utilities are available from Microsoft that can tell you if you're in the clear. However, if compatibility is the issue, this hassle will be worth it to you. Users will have full access to peripherals connected to their Windows 7 hardware, including printers, and the clipboard can be used to cut and paste between the virtual operating system and the "real" one.
Windows 7's native search feature has been improved. Files that I added to my hard drive were indexed so fast that they were searchable less than five seconds after saving them. Search result snippets now include a longer snippet, and highlight the snippet more clearly. This should appeal specifically to people who juggle large numbers of long documents, but I don't know of anybody who wouldn't appreciate finding the file they're looking for faster.
Lacking a touchscreen laptop, I wasn't able to personally try out the enhancements made to touchscreen support. However, it now supports multitouch zooming and taskbar previews when you drag your finger across the active programs pinned to the taskbar.
Search snippets make finding files easier in Windows 7.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)Other changes stood out, too. Better Device Stage support for older devices makes one of Windows 7's best features applicable to peripherals and externals that don't need to be upgraded. Windows Media Player's mini mode looks much slicker, emphasizing the album art--sometimes at the expense of clearly seeing the controls, but it's a definite improvement. One annoying change is that Bluetooth support no longer comes baked into the operating system. If you need a Bluetooth driver, you'll either need the installation disc on hand or you'll have to download the driver.
Windows 7 continues to get better, but because this is the Release Candidate, unless Microsoft surprises us we're pretty much looking at the final feature set. If you're testing Windows 7 beta, you'll have to back up your data before upgrading to the RC, but once you do you'll be able to use it until June 1, 2010. The beta will start intentionally shutting down every two hours on July 1, 2009.
We've shot several videos at CNET TV about Windows 7. Among others, you can take a first look at the release candidate, a first look at the beta, which includes a lot of information about what you can do with Windows 7, and an explanation of how to dual-boot Windows 7 alongside your current Windows operating system.
Update May 6, 2009: Users who wish to purchase Windows 7 once the final version is released will need to do a full backup of their data and then perform a clean install of operating system. As with the update from Windows 7 beta to the RC, there will be no direct upgrade path to the final version.
Microsoft impressed many with its Windows 7 beta, and the new Windows 7 Release Candidate looks even better. More than mere bug fixes, the Windows 7 Release Candidate improves on device management and search-term highlighting, and includes support for a virtual XP mode to run older programs. Preview what's new in this First Look video, and don't miss the hand's on review.
The latest Ubuntu release--code named Jaunty Jackalope--boots faster, shuts down faster, and includes numerous improvements that help it become even easier to use than before. If you like open-source software like Firefox, you owe it to yourself to see what an open-source operating system can do.
New features include Exchange-server support for e-mail client Evolution, a revamped program for disc burning, improved multiple-monitor support, a new notification pop-up style, and the ability to create customized hot keys. You can read the full list of changes here.
Inspired by CNET's Quick Tips and First Looks on Windows 7 beta, but not sure how to install it correctly? Never fear!
This video guide will help you create a dual-boot configuration, so you can run the preview of Microsoft's latest OS without destroying your older operating system.
