Oct 23, 2009 1:55 pm US/Pacific
Tech Minute: Windows 7 Quick Look
By BRIAN COOLEY, CNET Editor At Large
SAN FRANCISCO (CNET) ―
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The Windows 7 logo on monitors after a news conference in New York to officially kick off the worldwide availability of Windows 7, the company's highly-anticipated next-generation operating system Oct. 22, 2009.
Timothy A. Clary/Getty Images
This is Windows 7. Let's take a look at some of the features that may or may not convince you to make the upgrade from Vista or XP.
First thing you'll see is a slick new task bar, a lot like the icon dock found in the current Apple Macintosh operating system. The icons in Windows 7 are big, and mousing over one reveals open windows. Hover over one to get a full preview of that window.
Right or left click on any program icon down on the task bar and you'll get the list of files it has recently opened.
Search has also been improved a lot, as the results you get are more detailed in terms of what the computer has found.
When you want to make a window full size, just drag it to the top of the screen. To go back to the size it was, just drag it down a little. If you want to put two windows side by side to fill the screen, just drag them off left and right.
CNET's labs found that Windows 7 is faster than Vista in some areas, but not necessarily so in others. We recommend you not buy this version of Windows because you think it's going to dramatically speed up your current computer. When it comes to upgrading your current computer, just consider waiting until you need a new Windows computer which will come with Windows 7 installed. That could be your best path.
MORE: CNET.com Windows 7 Complete Coverage
MORE: CNET.com Windows 7 Full Review
MORE: Brooke Crothers Blog
MORE: Reporters' Roundtable: What Windows 7 Means
MORE: Brian Cooley @ CNET.com
Brian Cooley joined CNET in 1995 to launch CNET Radio. Today as Editor at large, he offers commentary about technology on television and radio from the CNET p.o.v. as well as contributing videos to CNET Car Tech and CNET TV.
(© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.)
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