WIndows 7 was released on sale this past Thursday October 22nd. Now, most people really interested in Windows 7 have been playing with it for the past Seven months. I know I have! I downloaded the original 7000 build, and also the Release Canident. I evevn have the Release Canident of Windows 7 running beside me right now! But the real people, the consumers, got their hands on the final version this past week. Windows 7 Basic, Hoe Premium, Enterprise, and Ultimate. There are many diffrent options available. But with all the raves, and all the great reviews, is Windows 7 an OS X killer?

Now let’s break this down. You are going to get a lot of fanboys on each side claiming why Windows 7 is better than OS X or why OS X is better than Windows 7. Well I am going to break it down into 3 catagories. Usability, Preformance, and Price.

Now Windows 7′s usibility isn’t much diffrent from previous versions, unless you could not getting anything done because of getting Blue Screened every 10 minuites. Windows 7 is an overall simple to use operating system. Most people have grwon up using some flavor of Windows and know how to get around. But to find what seems like a simple preference or setting still is a pain to find sometimes. Now Microsoft has improved this with the improved Search functionality, but to me Windows still feels very crammed. It feels like everything is shoved everyhwere. There are folders after folders of junk I stumble upon when I am just trying to find a specific folder. WIndows also isn’t the best for a Power User. Modfying Windows settings more in depth requires a lot of work. Also navigation around the OS can still be tricky, though it has improved.

OS X is known for being an easy to use OS ever since the early days of of the Mac. Leopard has brought with it a sleek design along with an easy to navigate Operating System. Although, sometimes to the power user, it is a bit “to simple”. Overall, the resources brought with OS X like Spotlight, make it very easy to find what you are looking for, without spending 15 minuites digging trhough folders and menus. Finder is alo much more easy to use then WIndows Explorer. The different methods of viewing folders is also nice to have.

Preformance is a big thing Microsoft has been working on it in WIndows 7. Ever since the dawn of the Netbook, people have been forced to use either XP or a form of Linux. Vista is just to much of a resource hog to run on a netbook. Heck, I can even vouch for that. My Hp Mini 2133 came with Vista preinstalled on it. The specs on it are qite descent but Vista just weighs it down tremendously. On the contrary, Windows 7 is much lighter weight and faster. This means it is pefect for Netbooks and even old comouters which aren’t that fast but could handle XP.

Now Apple builds the hardware and the software so preformace is not an issue. No matter which computer you have, OS X runs fine. Now sluggishness occures. It does though depend on the specs both ways, WIndows 7 and OS X are both very good in preformace.

Price is a sore subject for a lot of Windows Users. Microsoft has many diffrent “skews” of their Operating Systems. There is Starter which has to be the biggest waist of money. Even someone starting to use an operating system shouldn’t get Windows 7 Starter, That is just the bare bones of the OS excluding most of its other functionality. Windows 7 Home Preimum is mostly the standard for all users. Home Premium is best for most people unless you are a power user. Now Professional is an option but it is mostley for buisness, Now Windows 7 Ultimate is Microsoft’s version for the Power User. It gives a few extra features, which quiet frankly aren’t worth getting. Unless you need multi language support, you probably don’t need WIndows 7 Ultimate.

OS X has always been relatively reasonable. Usally around the price point of $130. But here is the big diffrence. There is only 1 (excluding OS X Server) verison of OS X for a consumer! No diffrent skew, no diffrent versions, just 1! That is why OS X is easy to buy! No diffrent versions. You’re getting OS X starter, home premium, and ultimate all for one price!

Overall, I don’t think WIndows 7 is an OS X killer. Is it an improvment? Yes. But is it going to convince me to switch? No, no, no, no ,no. Microsoft has a long way to go, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give them any credit. But Apple is also working just as hard improving OS X. Both companies even release little things to get their customers excited. Like Microsoft’s Security Essentials. A free anti virus alternative. Is it as secure as a paid anti virus? No, but it is free. And Snow Leopard for $30. It is a good, incremental upgrade and for $30, it is worth it! Overall, those are my opinions. I think after switching from PC to Mac, I will never go back. But, do you think that WIndows 7 is an OS X Killer?