I think Microsoft had Vista as an unintentional beta basically and to pay off R&D and salaries, well thats what I see it from in my standpoint.
I think something along the lines of the NT to XP. They used the same foundations but improved and fixed the problems.
I am def. one that believes people do need to upgrade every once in awhile (E.G. Digital TV), it stimulates markets and does help programmers and Microsoft too. If there are too many things for one company to support there are delays and product slacking in some areas (this is why console games have taken off, some consumers see this as well)
As it sits right now with just RC1, Windows 7 is pretty stable. I have had very few troubles with it.
The new "Dock" is nice and is very impressive, its useful and has the pretty finesse Microsoft was trying to go with in Vista. The catch is, IT WORKS!!! the memory print is nice and low and for all those who need XP, the XP mode is really nice! a little buggy still, but VERY impressive as well!
Vista to me was alright. Microsoft gouged the price for those upgrading from XP to it, straight forward, it wasn't worth the money.
Windows 7 WILL get my money and I feel very comfortable with it.
I suggest people find a way to get the RC1 and test drive it, I have on three machines (it even runs better than vista on my Mac, its cool to have Mac OS, Windows 7 AND XP all in one)
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