Microsoft is spreading the myth that computers are underpowered, and need to be replaced to run Windows 7.
I first read the myth in a "tech" column of a British newspaper (wish I'd kept the reference). The "tech" writer noted that netbooks struggle to run Vista. There are just so many facts wrong in that sentence:
- Netbooks don't run Vista; they run either XP or Linux.
- Many notebook and desktop computers struggle to run the badly-written Vista; there is an entire class action law suit on this issue.
- Testing shows that 7 runs just fine on netbooks.
I am puzzled how "tech" columnists can write such nonsense yet keep their jobs. Perhaps because newspapers operate one step down from a Consumer Reports level of technical proficiency.
And just now I got an email blast from HP restating the myth:
Replace your underpowered PCs and get Microsoft Windows 7 for free!*
Hold it. I thought 7 was supposed to be lighter than Vista, making our "underpowered" PCs powerful again. Well, that is the plight for Microsoft and its hardware captives: each new release of Microsoft software must overburden current CPUs so that the HPs of the world can resell the same product (computers) to us. Microsoft upgrades have nothing to do with improving work efficiency, but with selling disposable blades and razors over and over again.
The truth, of course, is that your computer is not underpowered; rather, it is overburdened by inefficient software written by Microsoft programmers. (The other truth is that computer speed has stalled, so the new, more powerful computers simply are not that much more powerful.)
For proof, run Linux on your computer. In my case, Linux Mint is such a pleasure to run on my netbook that I resent the few times I need to reboot into Windows 7, for instance, to run AutoCAD 2010 for articles I write.
Consider that Linux Mint has the same functionality as Windows 7, yet runs comfortably on a netbook with 0.8GHz GPU, 512MB RAM, and 4GB solid state hard drive.
The hardware is not the problem; Microsoft is the problem.
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*) Not for free, actually: "Your first [Windows 7] upgrade kit will cost US$12.99 in shipping and handling."
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