Knowing when to use Windows helps computer users do what they need to do online and offline.
Microsoft is known for being market reflexive and Windows is known for being user intuitive. As Bill Gates once said, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” Thus, although Microsoft cannot promise perfection, it does promise growth; while Windows will not always have what you need immediately, it will often find a way to provide it eventually, either through the release of a service pack or a new version of the world-renowned operating system.
Hence, the question isn’t, “When should I use Windows” as much as, “what version of Windows is right for what I need?”
Although computers have gotten to the point that they are used for almost everything, there are four major categories that apply to computer use: home and office use, multimedia use, programming, and gaming.
Home and Office Use
Those who are interested in using their computer for the home or office likely will not have very robust systems. Often, offices equip their workstations with economy-priced Dells that have processors that are no more than 2 GHz and with no more than 2 GB of RAM. While this isn’t the optimal media or gaming setup, it is 100% viable for all office needs, such as word processing, light web browsing, the use of office tools, and networking. Likewise, those who need their computer for no more than web surfing, light multimedia (say, listening to music and a DVD every now and then), and general networking (AIM or Skype for tonight’s plans, Twitter to report about it) may have even lighter systems, with something like a 1.5 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM.
If this is the case, the optimal operating system would be Windows XP Professional. It is already well known that Microsoft distributes premier office software used most throughout the world and XP seamlessly integrates it into any system. Moreover, Windows XP Professional comes fully prepared to establish a home or office network quickly, simply, and effectively – the three most sacred words in the computer universe. In addition to this, after installing Service Pack 3, Windows XP Professional will be secure, easy to use, and will not sap valuable system resources. In fact, the system requirements for Windows XP Professional are a meager 233 MHz of processing speed, 128 MB of RAM, and 15 GB of hard disk space. There are currently smart phones that fulfill these system requirements; the HTC HD2, for example, has 448 MB of ram and a 1 GHz processor. In essence, it is a lightweight operating system that will allow users to get the most of their computers, even if it’s years old or was purchased on a tight budget, but will still enable users to get the job done.
Multimedia Use
There are two different types of multimedia users: there are those who like to go on YouTube and Hulu often, save their entire DVD and CD collection on their hard drive, and sync their computer with all of their media devices; then, there are those who create entire CD collections, film or animate entire DVD collections, and would like to control their media devices from their computer and vice versa. Of course, these highly contrasted multimedia users usually have systems that are just as different. Fortunately, Windows can accommodate them both.
For those who just like to use multimedia, Windows Vista may be their best choice. With a robust media center, advanced protection from malware, a windows sidebar, and real-time searches, users can download to their heart’s content, find random files in a flash, and integrate all of their media devices – it comes fully prepared to instantly adjust to new hardware, including table PCs. Furthermore, with the preinstalled Windows Live software, all major codecs that provide browser support for media files online are readily taken care of.
Alternately, for those who like to create media, Windows 7 is their window to wonder. Although the system requirements for Windows 7 are a little steeper than previous Windows operating systems (requiring at least 1 Ghz processor speed, 1 GB of ram, and a 16 GB hard drive space), those who produce media generally have fairly powerful systems to accommodate the complex and heavy programs that facilitate such ventures. Otherwise, Windows 7 is a streamlined operating system that uses relatively little system resources and optimizes the performance of most programs. Moreover, Windows 7 comes with all of the right tweaks that makes media development just that easier – such as Aero Shake that allows the user to minimize all active windows except one, Snap that allows users to automatically arrange two windows exactly side-by-side, and Pin, which docks frequently used programs to the taskbar or a jump list for easy and instant single-click access.
Programming
In terms of operating systems, programming needs are rather similar to those for multimedia development. Accordingly, Windows 7 would be the best operating system to use. On the surface alone, in addition to the afore described provisions, Windows 7 also offers a HomeGroup, which shares documents, music, pictures, and USB connected devices with all systems on the network. This would undoubtedly be highly beneficial for programmers, who usually work off more than one computer and require the ability to share resources between those computers.
However, to take this a step further, Microsoft is known for creating operating systems with developers in mind. Since Windows 98, Microsoft operating systems came with tools to accommodate the needs of developers. Windows 7 is no exception. Developer-specific advances that come with Windows 7 include a new Taskbar and Shell arrangement, Federated Touch, Multi-touch support, and Sensors and Location. These provisions are novel to Windows 7 and can help a programmer be more productive and intuitive than ever before.
Gaming
A preference for Windows is already present within the gaming community. This is generally because just about every game on the market is made for Windows. Due to the prevalence of Microsoft in the technology market, almost every hardware component that gamers need for a rich and exciting gaming experience are Windows compatible as well.
Another reason why Windows 7 would be the best operating system for gamers, though, is the support Windows 7 offers for hardware upgrades and drivers. For example, not only can many drivers be downloaded immediately for installed hardware devices, the operating system also adjusts its resource allotment to accommodate new hardware, rendering their installation infinitely easier. Moreover, for those buggy driver updates that users sometimes regret installing or in the event of driver corruption, Windows 7 comes with the capacity to revert to older driver versions with Device Driver Rollback. As a sweet Bing to top it off, Windows 7 also supports access to Xbox 360 files as well as plug and play gaming controls.