Windows 7, Microsoft's latest operating system, was officially launched last Friday. What improvements does Windows 7 have compared to Windows XP and Vitsa? What's the price tag for this new system and will it be acceptable to Chinese consumers?

Customers experience Windows 7, the latest Windows operating system, in Beijing, capital of China, October 23, 2009. Microsoft Corp. launched Windows 7 in China on Friday. [Xinhua]

Acccording to Time.com, Windows Vista, predecessor of Windows 7, is the "Biggest Tech Failure of the Last Decade". Three years after the release of Vista, Windows 7 appears to be an upgrade of Windows Vista with faster speed and better compatibility with applications and hardware.

Cheng Gang is a computer professional who has just installed the Windows 7 the first time.

"Compared to Windows XP, Windows 7 has better visual effect, simpler operation and higher level security. For instance, the windows can overlap at one another in order of preference; the security center will warn the user if any unsafe program is going to be installed," said Cheng Gang.

Windows 7 also supports more hardware such as graphic cards, flash disks and network cards. Users won't need so many extra device drivers and will find the installation process much easier.

"If the windows 7 is really that convenient, I would like to update my current Windows XP. It is also a good chance to refresh my computer and simplify my future work," said customer Han Xiao, a college student.

But computer professional Cheng Gang warned that Windows XP must be completly removed before Windows 7 is installed. He suggested customers move their personal files from the system disk to a safer location such as an external disk.

According to trading website, Amazon.cn, Windows 7's home edition is 399 yuan for each.

"399 yuan is too expensive. I would like to pay half. My current Windows XP is not bad, so I'll wait and see," said Han Xiao.

Mikako Kitagawa is a research analyst at Gartner, a technology research and advisory company.

"Consumers usually do not do the complex PC applications. They usually do web browsing, internet, photo editing, video editing or listening to music. You can do all of these on the Vista or XP. XP is good enough for most consumers. I do not say tech service people or gamers. They might have different opinions."

Professional Cheng Gang agreed. He said it's just like cell phones -- some users keep updating to newer models for more functions and fashion, while some stick to the old ones for custom.

(CRIENGLISH.com October 26, 2009)