10 Reasons Why the Windows 7 Upgrade Is Unlike Any Other

This is the first time the server side applications and the client side applications are all being updated at the same time.

This is the first time a really new computing model—cloud computing—is demanding that Microsoft can show it can play well with others.

This the first time that a big new competitor—Google—is creating a new operating system to be available within twelve months of the new Windows.

This will be the first Windows client operating system introduced following Bill Gates retirement.

This is the first Windows client that will tout simplicity instead of complexity based on a NASA level programming effort.

This is the first client where security will take prominence over touting backward compatibility.

This is the first time that an economic recovery, an aging IT infrastructure and a vendor community anxious to spur sales and a range of new processor chips will all play to the Microsoft upgrade theme song.

This is the first time that there are really good, mature free operating system competitors to Microsoft.

This is the first time that a healthy Apple is setting the consumer agenda in lots of areas where Microsoft would like to play.

This will be the first time that Microsoft’s major competitor is not the previous Microsoft operating system but an operating system—XP—introduced in October 2001.