Is it worth it to upgrade to 7 from XP?

[mossme89]

Clearly, it looks like windows 7 is 100X better than vista. My friends, who are running it via bootcamp, also say it is amazing.

Right now, I am on XP SP3, which I strictly use for gaming. Everything else I do on OSX.

I don't like being on an obselete OS very much, but the ONLY thing I use XP for is gaming, and haven't had any issues. Therefore, I have been under the impression that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" what do you guys think? Is windows 7 a must-get over xp, or should I stick with obselete, but very stable XP?

 

[jamin100]

XP isnt obsolete! Its a fantastic OS and like you say. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

I run a network of 150+ computers ALL with XP. We wont be moving over to W7 for at least another year if not two...

 

[xemino]

i was thinking of installing 7 too. i use xp for gaming only. with 7x64 i could use 4gb of ram instead of 2.7. but the os is massive, i don't think it's worth the trouble and disk space to replace my small tiny xp installation.

 

[Nordichund]

Here's my 10 Cents. XP works fine now, but a lot of the new software and the 64bit capacity is now being geared to and designed for Windows 7. It is also obvious that Microsoft would like to be quit of XP asp.

It really depends on what software you want to use on the OS. I think a year from many people will find XP rather limited.

 

[zao8350]

I would stick with xp. it works great for what you need. I would have prob bought xp if windows 7 wasntso cheap.

 

[Zedsdead185]

Here's my 10 Cents. XP works fine now, but a lot of the new software and the 64bit capacity is now being geared to and designed for Windows 7. It is also obvious that Microsoft would like to be quit of XP asp.

It really depends on what software you want to use on the OS. I think a year from many people will find XP rather limited.

I agree, but also add that surely that means it would be more logical to wait and upgrade to windows 7 when things do start to get a bit limited. But for now, as you say, why fix something thats not broken.

 

[Hrududu]

Since all you do is gaming, then I'd say no. However, I don't know how people can justify using an OS built for 2001 on hardware from 2008-09. That just doesn't seem right.

 

[Tralmek]

I've been using Windows 7 since the final beta, and I have the release candidate on three machines (only one dual-boot 7/XP) so I use it 90% of the time now for both work and gaming. (Yes, that means I don't have a mac currently, I've been using PCs for 20 years, though my macbook pro is on order right now )

With gaming I have had only two major problems with 7.

The first is that a few games don't like working with DirectX 10. This is a problem with DX10 which can usually be fixed by installing the DX9.0c database. I had this problem when running City of Heroes/Villains, Pirates of the Burning Sea, and Star Wars Galaxies. Installing the DX9.0c database fixed the issues. DX11 released last week and I haven't updated yet to see the issues with that.

The other problem was with a specific program called GameGuard which is an anti-hack program that is installed automatically with some games. NCSoft uses this on several of their games. It is not currently compatible with Windows 7, because it essentially tries to hide the game process in order to prevent external hacking programs from interfacing with the game. Windows 7 identifies this as potentially threatening to the system (a lot of malware does the same sort of thing) so it kills GameGuard, preventing the game from launching. There are hacks that you can do (yes, hack the anti-hack software) that will allow some of these games to run. Exteel and Aion came with GameGuard, and would not run until I had "adjusted" GameGuard.

Overall, however, I have been impressed with how 7 handles my gaming. It is more reliable than XP, and on my dual-boot machine games do run more smoothly on the Windows 7 than XP.

 

[MacHamster68]

its not worth it ...with windows 7 you only get the goodies you already had in osx 5 years ago plus you get the bugs they have not been able to fix yet and simply in true microsoft manner call them features
xp instead is around since nearly 10 years soon and due to the boom in the netbookmarket it will stay around for longer and it has not many bugs left

ok for me there is only one choice,
if a game does not run on os x or os 9 ,its not worth to play with it

 

[skye12]

its not worth it ...with windows 7 you only get the goodies you already had in osx 5 years ago plus you get the bugs they have not been able to fix yet and simply in true microsoft manner call them features
xp instead is around since nearly 10 years soon and due to the boom in the netbookmarket it will stay around for longer and it has not many bugs left

ok for me there is only one choice,
if a game does not run on os x, its not worth to play with it

Second that. Try and live life without Microtyrant.

 

[mossme89]

Hmm....Maybe i will upgrade in a couple months....

Anybody having issues with game compatibility in 7? Does anybody know if the Nvidia 9600 will work decently with DX11 (future) games?

 

[juanster]

I was planing on upgrading. But dcided against it. Why fix something that ain't broke. All I use XP for is things my mac can't do. Like 3Ds max studio and games. Won't be switching to win7 unless I have to.

 

[Infrared]

I agree, but also add that surely that means it would be more logical to wait and upgrade to windows 7 when things do start to get a bit limited. But for now, as you say, why fix something thats not broken.

XP is not broken, just as horses are not broken. And yet, most
of us would prefer to drive a car to work rather than ride a horse

 

[Stridder44]

Clearly, it looks like windows 7 is 100X better than vista. My friends, who are running it via bootcamp, also say it is amazing.

Right now, I am on XP SP3, which I strictly use for gaming. Everything else I do on OSX.

I don't like being on an obselete OS very much, but the ONLY thing I use XP for is gaming, and haven't had any issues. Therefore, I have been under the impression that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" what do you guys think? Is windows 7 a must-get over xp, or should I stick with obselete, but very stable XP?

Yes, it's completely worth it. XP is a dinosaur that needs to die already. 7 is a fantastic OS. Look, this isn't even debatable, go with 7.

 

[mossme89]

Yes, it's completely worth it. XP is a dinosaur that needs to die already. 7 is a fantastic OS. Look, this isn't even debatable, go with 7.

Is windows 7 just newer? What other "must-have" features does it have? And how is ther performance (responsiveness, etc.) compared to XP. Many times newer OS = needs more resources = your computer won't run as fast. I guess that's why I'm most reluctant to upgrade. Sure the MBP is a great computer, but XP on it is as fast as it could possibly be, IMO

 

[Tralmek]

Windows 7 is less resource-hungry than Vista, and from my experience with it I would judge about the same in that area as XP--in all honesty, XP probably edges it out very slightly in some areas. Although 64 bit W7 does bring out a (64 bit-capable) machine's full capabilities in a way 64 bit XP never did.

As I mentioned in my previous post, on my dual boot XP/W7 computer, games run better on the W7 side. They have less graphical lag and higher FPS.

The other reason I'm recommending most people I know to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP (it's a given to do it from the wreck of an OS known as Vista) is that Microsoft has been trying to kill off XP for quite some time now. There will be no more service packs, and my guess is within a year all other updates and support for XP will be terminated. They tried it two years ago, but customer backlash forced them to keep it going. Microsoft wants to be rid of XP ASAP.

And come to think of it, Microsoft is probably going to kill off support for DirectX 9.0c around the same time as they do it for XP, since they have their newest version (11) out and at that point the only two Windows OS's in their minds will be Vista (DX10) and Windows 7 (DX11). The real thing to watch for here is xbox 360's getting an upgrade and start shipping with DX11. Once that happens, DX9.0c is pretty well gone, and game designers will move in the direction of DX11 as well.

Here are some articles with various benchmark testing, etc. Most recent first.
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5

As far as features in Windows 7, those articles go over them briefly. Aside from that, the wikipedia article on the subject is a good place to go.

There are a few reasons not to upgrade to W7 from XP.
1) Expense
2) Machine isn't capable of 64 bit or just won't run 64 bit effectively
Seriously, if you're sticking to a 32 bit OS, don't even bother with 32 bit W7, keep XP.
3) No direct upgrade path from XP (forces you to reinstall all your stuff)
4) New interface to learn
5) More devices are (currently) compatible with XP than W7

Personally, I am going to upgrade all of my machines to W7 full version (since I'm using the RTM at the moment) except for one which will continue to dual-boot XP and W7, so I can still run some of my devices that don't have drivers updated to W7 yet. Once those are, it's goodbye XP altogether. When my new MBP arrives, I'm not even planning to put a Windows installation on it, since all my needs from a laptop will be met in OSX. Right down to gaming, since the two games I play most often (EVE and CoH) run on the mac.

Dang...I just wrote a book...

 

[maccompaq]

I use XP SP2, and it works great. Also use Leopard 10.5.2 with no problems. I have no intention to upgrade any of my computers. Since I have all the software needed to do anything I want, I will not be buying any new software, so I will not have to be bothered by 32 vs 64 bit.

 

[CLuv]

I would stick with XP. It's obviously good enough for MS "Gurus" since they're still using XP and not 7 at their Answer Bar. They must have stuck with the cliche if ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[lumberjack]

I put 7 on my mac and will do the same on my PC but only because of the RAM. Otherwise I don't see a need to upgrade.
Primarily, an OS has to function properly and not to look good. 7 is neat and such but XP has been stable for years while 7 is still new.

I don't play any games apart from a very old one but as far as I've read on tomshardware there are some issues with several games on 7.
No, I wouldn't say games run better on 7, not yet.

Inevitably though, time will come when you will run into compatibility issues but that's still a few moons away.

 

[mossme89]

Windows 7 is less resource-hungry than Vista, and from my experience with it I would judge about the same in that area as XP--in all honesty, XP probably edges it out very slightly in some areas. Although 64 bit W7 does bring out a (64 bit-capable) machine's full capabilities in a way 64 bit XP never did.

As I mentioned in my previous post, on my dual boot XP/W7 computer, games run better on the W7 side. They have less graphical lag and higher FPS.

The other reason I'm recommending most people I know to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP (it's a given to do it from the wreck of an OS known as Vista) is that Microsoft has been trying to kill off XP for quite some time now. There will be no more service packs, and my guess is within a year all other updates and support for XP will be terminated. They tried it two years ago, but customer backlash forced them to keep it going. Microsoft wants to be rid of XP ASAP.

And come to think of it, Microsoft is probably going to kill off support for DirectX 9.0c around the same time as they do it for XP, since they have their newest version (11) out and at that point the only two Windows OS's in their minds will be Vista (DX10) and Windows 7 (DX11). The real thing to watch for here is xbox 360's getting an upgrade and start shipping with DX11. Once that happens, DX9.0c is pretty well gone, and game designers will move in the direction of DX11 as well.

Here are some articles with various benchmark testing, etc. Most recent first.
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5

As far as features in Windows 7, those articles go over them briefly. Aside from that, the wikipedia article on the subject is a good place to go.

There are a few reasons not to upgrade to W7 from XP.
1) Expense
2) Machine isn't capable of 64 bit or just won't run 64 bit effectively
Seriously, if you're sticking to a 32 bit OS, don't even bother with 32 bit W7, keep XP.
3) No direct upgrade path from XP (forces you to reinstall all your stuff)
4) New interface to learn
5) More devices are (currently) compatible with XP than W7

Personally, I am going to upgrade all of my machines to W7 full version (since I'm using the RTM at the moment) except for one which will continue to dual-boot XP and W7, so I can still run some of my devices that don't have drivers updated to W7 yet. Once those are, it's goodbye XP altogether. When my new MBP arrives, I'm not even planning to put a Windows installation on it, since all my needs from a laptop will be met in OSX. Right down to gaming, since the two games I play most often (EVE and CoH) run on the mac.

Dang...I just wrote a book...

I appreciate the long, thought out post. We need more of these

So, if I'm running W7 on a mac, it would have to be 32-bit because 64-bit OS's aren't supported in bootcamp right?

What would the advantages of running W7 in 64 bit vs 32 bit (besides being able to use more RAM)?

 

[Stridder44]

I appreciate the long, thought out post. We need more of these

So, if I'm running W7 on a mac, it would have to be 32-bit because 64-bit OS's aren't supported in bootcamp right?

What would the advantages of running W7 in 64 bit vs 32 bit (besides being able to use more RAM)?

Boot Camp supports 64-bit just fine. Whether or not you should run 64-bit, that's another matter. What kind of Mac do you have? Specs? What will you mainly be using it for?

And yes, I agree, awesome write up Tralmek That post should be stickied to the top of the board.

 

[mossme89]

Boot Camp supports 64-bit just fine. Whether or not you should run 64-bit, that's another matter. What kind of Mac do you have? Specs? What will you mainly be using it for?

And yes, I agree, awesome write up Tralmek That post should be stickied to the top of the board.

My specs are as follows:
2008 unibody MacBook pro 15"
NVIDIA 9600 w/ 256 MB
2.4 GHz, 2 GB DDR3 RAM
250 GB HDD (~180 OSX, ~60 windows)

I thought I heard someone saying 64-bit isn't officially supported by apple, & the drivers can be buggy/non-functional.