We are not the type of company that recommends the latest releases to clients and friends simply because they are the most recent technology trends. Remember Vista? We weren’t fans—and didn’t encourage you to be. However, the dwindling of mainstream Microsoft support for the Windows XP operating system is the final writing on the wall for XP hangers-on.
Don’t feel bad if you are still holding on, though. You are not alone. Real-time web analytics tracker site W3counter.com says Windows XP still holds 41.47 percent of the desktop market, followed by Windows 7, which has earned 28.27 percent of the global users as of February 2011. Despite the debut of Windows 7 in late 2009, Windows XP users have been using the same operating system for a decade, and they show no immediate signs of switching. If you count yourself in this group, below are five reasons to reconsider…and make the switch to Windows 7.
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The support well is running dry. The mainstream support for XP ended on April 14, 2009 due to a change in Microsoft’s life-cycle policy, and there are only three more years of extended support left for commercial customers. This means supporting XP will be more expensive for two reasons. You will have to pay for any support that is not security-related (per incident and per hour). In addition, since automatic security updates that protect your computer will not be available from Microsoft as of April 8, 2014, your machines are left vulnerable and total cost of ownership will increase. Companies like Optimal will still provide support for XP users in upcoming years, but we’ll be limited in what we can offer because there will be little support from the manufacturer. From a service perspective, that’s an important consideration for you.
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Better security. Windows 7 was designed with a much different, more powerful security model. In fact, it is the same security model that Microsoft has been using in its server operating systems. This will keep your computer and your data much safer.
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Enhanced hardware management. Windows 7 handles its hardware better—with better memory management, battery life management, and reliability. This translates to less daily system hassles.
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Upgraded user experience. Windows 7 is user friendly—and intuitive. It makes controlling your windows, programs, and screens a cinch. Plus, the user convenience features are innumerable and even include faster boot up and shutdown times.
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Excellent peripheral and software support. Windows 7 has extensive hardware support and is also very compatible with all sorts of nonstandard software packages. You will be able to run most if not all of your existing peripherals and software with Windows 7—which makes the transition even easier.
If your organization has been holding off on hardware replacement because of the economy, but is finally in a place to move forward, a hardware upgrade is the perfect time to institute this operating system change. You’ll be better able to realize the comprehensive advantages of Windows 7 (speed, processing power, etc.) when it runs on a new system. We also encourage you to use Windows 7 in conjunction with Office 2010 software so you can experience the full benefits of that upgrade as well.
Last Word
We understand that change is hard. But believe me, this will be a switch you’ll be happy you made. Holding on to an older operating system can end up costing you more in the long run when you factor in increased support costs and decreased speed/productivity, and so on. Ready to start thinking about the switch? Talk to us!
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