Well it's been some time since the debut of Windows 7 and I've worked with it enough to formulate an opinion on the matter.

Originally, Windows XP was my go to operating system for computers.  The question always becomes, do I traditionally like Windows XP more because I am more comfortable with it, or is it because it is truly better.  Well the answer is both.

One of the great advantages of Windows XP is it's simplicity.  It gets the job done, and it does it well. Hardware requirements for XP are minimal at best and even with "lower end", dare I call it "cost effective" hardware, it performs admirably almost across the board for software applications.

Windows 7 is a different beast. The design of 7 definitely looks into the future of PC development. Of course, this makes sense, as Microsoft has always attempted to create operating systems with the future in mind.  

So what is the downside of making an operating system that looks to the future? Well, it commonly offers poor performance for the present and the past. That is the exact place where Windows 7 is now, only the present is finally starting to catch up.

From what I have observed. Microsoft knowingly released Vista as a guinea pig environment (sorry Vista users) in preparation for Windows 7.  This makes sense if one realizes Vista was just XP with Aero effects added onto it.  Well, since Aero was "up in the air" for compatibility, why not release it under the guise of a "new" operating system and do our testing there?

This is exactly what Microsoft did. Learning all of the hardware difficulties associated with Aero upon release, they melded the perfect blend of XP and Vista together into what is now known as Windows 7.  For those who have the hardware to support it, Windows 7 is a beautiful, efficient and powerful operating system.

So after a year of using it, I must say I am extremely impressed with Windows 7. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not, if one is comfortable with XP, stick with it – not to mention if you don't have a dual core and 2 gigs of memory, moving to Windows 7 simply isn't a good idea.

It is unfortunate many had to go through the Vista hell to get us to 7… but I didn't see the purpose of Vista then as I do now. 

So what are your thoughts on Windows 7? Nightmare of bliss?

I agree, where I work we use a huge collection of legacy software and every time I need to purchase a new system the discussion comes up as to whether or not we can successfully migrate to Windows 7.

Thankfully I have made major headway in making that transition, but for certain individuals (namely our field service techs) there will always be a use for Windows XP. That is when Virtualization is a life saver. I currently have one service technician set up on Windows 7 with Five different virtual machines depending on the current troubleshooting situation ranging from DOS to Windows XP SP3.

Without it, I'd need quad boot systems and everyone knows that comes with major instability.