Waiting for SP1 Makes Sense
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5. Security
With Windows 7 just hours old, there's no way to tell if it really is as secure
as Microsoft wants users to believe. So far, Windows 7 hasn't been
tested in the market. Companies really don't know if their data is safer on Windows 7. There's
something to be said for a "wait-and-see" approach.
6. Support won't die
One of the main reasons why any company would switch from an operating
system is lack of support. Windows
XP won't suffer from that for years to come. According to Microsoft, it will continue to
patch XP for another five years. That gives companies more than enough time to
sit tight and invest in a new operating system when necessary.
7. Things have improved
Just because Windows 7 features several built-in features like Windows
Security Essentials and Internet Explorer 8 doesn't mean that XP users are left
out in the cold. Quite the contrary, Microsoft has made those programs available
for download to any XP user. In other words, all those security holes that have
plagued XP in the past might be contained with the help of Microsoft's security
solution and its more robust browser.
8. XP works just fine on netbooks
More companies than ever are considering netbooks. But even though Windows
7 Starter Edition is designed specifically for the small, lightweight
notebooks, it's not a vast improvement over XP. In fact, XP works just fine on
netbooks. Why switch?
9. Service packs are robust
Again, Microsoft's first service pack for its previous operating systems
tended to provide a far more reliable experience than the launch version of the
software. Granted, Windows XP SP1 came under fire for not protecting users as
well as it should have (this was fixed in SP2), but it was undeniably an
upgrade. And a major one at that. Historically, Microsoft's service packs have
proven successful. Waiting for Windows 7 SP1 might be a good idea.
10. What does it hurt?
In the end, there's no rush to switch to Windows 7. It may be the latest
software, but for most companies, an operating system that works well is better
than the unknown. Wait it out. See what other companies think. And make the
decision after that. It
didn't hurt when Vista was released, did it?
