Many electrons have been posted whether Windows 7 is Redmond trash or the revolutionary OS we have been holding our flatulence for. The best people to answer this question are die-hard Linux users; IMHO, Windows will always be inferior to Linux, but I have to say I am impressed with Windows 7. In fact, I like it a lot and it is a completely different beast than Vista. I will explain the Linux host used, issues encountered with VirtualBox (& Trend Micro) and the Windows 7 RAM usage from a virtual install.
The reason for installing a virtual Windows guest on a Linux host was to determine Windows 7's footprint without using my laptop as a guinea pig. My work laptop is fettered by Vista's memory hogging behavior. Obviously, any memory improvement is desired. My Windows Vista Business screenshot is shown.Tech Specs:
Host System: Dual Core Intel 2.4 GHz, 3.0 GB RAM, Fedora 11, 64-bit Linux using VirtualBox 3.0.2
Guest System: Windows 7 RC 7100 (Ultimate, 64-bit), 1.2 GB RAM (Max allowed) and 30 GB virtual hard drive (Max allowed)
Installing VirtualBox on the Linux host was easy using the Gnome Add/Remove software panel on Fedora 11. A quick enabling of the host's virtualization settings in the BIOS got the guest system up and running. I had previous experience with VMware, but no longer the large purse to buy the product.
VirtualBox does a decent job of supporting the guest OS. The only issue I encountered was that the guest's audio driver was not detected. A special package called Guest Additions is recommended to be installed on the guest system. I installed the Guest Addition's .iso file on the guest computer. After rebooting the guest system, the Guest Additions start-up was loaded in the lower right hand corner notification area. However, the audio driver was still not working. I tried numerous tweaks—even attempted to install the appropriate Vista audio driver from the PC manufacturer—all to no avail. It is a minor issue and not essential for the testing of Windows 7.
Not all Betas are the Same
I performed a Windows Update on the guest Windows 7 system. Next, I needed to get an anti-virus product installed ASAP. Unfortunately, a beta version of Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 was not up to the task. Getting Trend Micro installed was challenging. I needed to call Trend Micro's tech support to receive the correct license key for Trend Micro Internet Security 2010. The tech support was helpful, but the beta product was too buggy and performed like an alpha version. With only a few months before Windows 7 goes “live,” Trend Micro engineers & programmers have some serious problems that need to be ironed out. The two biggest problems encountered:
1.The first installation crashed the guest system. Not good. The second installation worked because I selected a customized install and did not install the firewall.
2. A conflict created by Trend Micro caused the internet notification area icon to display a broken internet connection. (A VirtualBox snapshot of the old system determined it was a Trend Micro issue.)
McAfee Total Protection (beta) for Windows 7
The McAfee beta for Windows 7 was much more polished. It installed smoothly and no conflicts were detected.
Results:
My evaluation of Windows 7's memory usage is favorable. The Windows 7 interface is improved and the reduction in bloat is welcome. 460 – 700 MB of RAM beats 1.0 – 1.3 GB--my Vista Business memory usage. 9.6 GB is currently occupying the 30 GB virtual hard drive, which includes the Windows 7 install, McAfee Total Protection and Guest Additions.
Window's Future: Like It or Not
Reviews on Windows 7 are mixed. Some corporations will hang on to Windows XP until the end of time or the universe—whichever comes first. Some companies are making theatrically inspired utterances based on
former NRA president Charlton Heston, “the only way our company will retire XP is by our cold, dead hands.” Windows 7 (a reworked Vista) is the direction that Microsoft is taking. I will welcome the day when corporations dump Windows for Linux or an office embraces Chrome OS. Realistically, this will never happen! Windows 7 is a Hobson's Choice despite all the crying and complaining. If the commercial release of Windows 7 performs at the same level of the evaluation version, the “choice” is survivable.For my laptop, less memory usage means longer battery life, faster boot-ups and less heat. This evidence is compelling enough to upgrade my laptop to Windows 7.
