Today in one of the groups I am a member, there was a question on the cost benefits
of Windows 7 over Windows XP. In these recessionary times, everything is about cost
and RoI. No CIO is interested to spend on an upgrade just for technology sake. With
that background this was an interesting question, so I set out to answer him, which
I have reproduced below.
The first answer for such a question is that any new version of any software product
improves “productivity” by XY%, where XY are dependent on how you feel
on that day.
Jokes apart, in my opinion I think the upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 saves
cost by the following:
-
Productivity, certainly. Common tasks are easier and faster. For example with the
built-in Windows Search, finding documents really saves you time. And for techies
tasks like IPConfig /Renew can be done from GUI itself
-
Avoid recreating lost documents. Built in version-control and transaction file-system
in Windows 7 (Vista has this too)
-
Avoid bandwidth costs by some Spammers using your Windows XP as a SpamBots or Zombies with
better stateful firewall (Inbound and Outbound) in Windows 7 (Vista has this too)
-
Data Theft, Security and reinstall time spend with UAC in Windows 7 (Easier to use
than in Vista)
-
Less power consumption through better sleep/hibernate support
-
Save time by building web standards Web Applications with built-in Internet Explorer
8.0
-
Save time and cost with built-in CD Burning, DVD Maker (Vista has this too)
-
My personal favourite is an enhanced System Restore (life saver) and time saved with
fixing a rogue software install (Vista has this too)
-
A superb Windows Backup (this alone is worth every dollar of Windows 7). Third party
products purchased separately for Windows XP store in proprietary backup file formats,
where as Windows 7 (as in Vista) uses open
VHD file format. This VHD files can be mounted and read/write natively in Windows
7
-
Built-in hardware enhanced virtualization free – Windows Virtual PC, which helps
you to continue to run older applications
-
Save time with the more powerful task scheduler (so you don’t need to keep your
machine switched ON or be there to run a program)
-
If you are a games developer, Windows 7 saves time by better 3D hardware accelerated
graphics support/DirectX
-
Built-in applications like Snipping tool to take screen shots and so on (Vista has
this too)
Microsoft has published a "Windows client features comparison chart" between Windows
XP SP3, Windows Vista and Windows 7 here.
Read the complete post at http://www.venkatarangan.com/blog/2009/06/27/Benefits+Of+Windows+7+Over+Windows+XP.aspx