› Windows 7 – Is it worth it?

Did you buy a new PC this past summer with the promise of a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it launched?  Unfortunately, upgrades are never completely free.

While the license for the Windows 7 upgrade itself may not cost anything- delivery of the new disc typically comes with a small charge of between $10-20, depending on the manufacturer and model of your system.   What’s more, there is also the cost of installing the new operating system.

The real question remains: is it worth any cost?  Several GGGroup employees have been using Windows 7 internally and are pleased to report that the generally positive reviews on Windows 7 are justified. Microsoft has made improvements in key areas such as: installation and compatibility, performance, stability, networking, and search – to name a few.

Installation:

While the in-place upgrade worked – we recommend a fresh installation whenever possible because it is a good opportunity to do ’spring cleaning’.

Compatibility:

An operating system install is never fun, but unlike Vista, Windows 7 recognizes a surprising amount of hardware.  This is the result of many manufacturers having released drivers in time to be bundled with the release.

Stability:

What’s been the nicest discovery is that Windows 7 appears to be the most stable Microsoft operating system in recent memory- and in some cases moreso than XP.

Wireless Networking:

Windows XP was created before wireless networking was standard and it showed. Vista had wireless networking issues that were a combination of poor interface design and wireless driver problems. Windows 7 fixes all this with a revamped networking control panel that simplifies networking management.

Search:

Search in Windows 7 is vastly superior to the Windows Search add-on in Windows XP and Vista. The search interface is responsive and results come up promptly. The indexing process working behind the scenes does not appear to have a noticeable impact on performance.

Final considerations:

As with all technology investments, planning is important.  It always makes sense to do some preliminary research on hardware and business application compatibility before taking the plunge.  One must also consider the cost of transition.  Many times, the best strategy is to plan for Operating System upgrades to take place ‘organically’ in conjunction with your hardware lifecycle management plan.

Posted at 11/8/09 by jchiang in Industry Trends, News & Views, Newsletters, Tech Tips for the Office, Tech Tips for the Small & Home Office, Uncategorized Tags: Hardware Lifecycle, PC, Upgrade, Windows 7, Wireless Networking | No Comments »

› Backup for Home

One of the most common computer-related questions I am asked by friends and family is what do you recommend I use to back up my home computer? It seems most people these days know they should be making backup copies of their files, but most still are not. For years, there were few options for home users that failed one of the three critical tests for any good backup method: Reliable, Automated and Cost-Effective. That is no longer the case.

Two online services have been fighting for supremacy in consumer data backup. Each provides unlimited data backup for approximately $50-60/year. The first, www.carbonite.com has a very straightforward aim: make backup simple. Their entire focus has been on making the process intuitive. For the most part, they’ve done a great job and the service works. The second, www.mozy.com offers the user more flexibility and control. Like Carbonite, the interface is very straightforward and their software automatically detects common data files like Word documents, photos and music. Data is automatically uploaded to their data center while your PC and internet connection is idle.

Mozy also has a “Pro” version targeted at small businesses and can do things like backup multiple computers under one account or run on servers. When speaking with clients we’ve found most require something that offers more flexible recovery, archive and retention capabilities than what this can provide.

In the end, either Mozy or Carbonite will meet most people’s home backup needs and you can feel comfortable knowing if your computer crashes or is stolen, at least you will be able to recover your information.

Posted at 10/26/09 by ewong in News & Views, Newsletters, Tech Tips for the Small & Home Office, User Reports Tags: Data Protection, Online Backup, Preventative management | No Comments »

› The Case for Netbooks

Portability (i.e. lightweight) is what we here at GGGroup most often hear from our clients who are in the market for a new notebook computer. You’ve all seen people in a park, airport, or other such public place happily plugging away on a device that is significantly smaller than your laptop. Could this be the device you’ve been looking for to finally replace the bulky laptop you’ve been lugging around? The answer is yes and no.

Netbooks are designed primarily for internet usage on the go (hence, NETbook). What keeps these little buggers affordable is the processor and memory installed are of lesser spec than you would find in larger laptops and desktops. While Microsoft Office can run on netbooks, you will notice a drop in performance.

But if your only need is internet access to keep in touch with family and friends back home while you’re on vacation, this might be the perfect device for you. You can access your email or Facebook account, upload photos you’ve just taken or just simply browse the internet. Granted, all of this can be accomplished on an iPhone but there is something to be said for having a full keyboard and a 9 or 10 inch screen.

In the final analysis, netbooks are great for personal use, not so much for bringing your work home with you.

Posted at 10/26/09 by moconnor in News & Views, Newsletters, Security-Mobility-Accessibility Tags: laptop, netbook, portable | 3 Comments »