Looking to save money?

Windows 7 available for less than you think

By Cruise Slater

Tech Stop

Before I get into how you can save money, I’d like to quickly introduce the new column. As the name implies, Tech Stop is going to be a dedicated technology thread for the everyday student. For the most part, I’m going to try and keep it based on technology that can aid everyone in terms of time and money – two things that most students are strapped for at this time of year.

Microsoft’s new operating system (OS), Windows 7, has hit the scene this month, and has been greeted with far better reviews than the infamous Vista was three years ago. Problem: It costs about $120 from retailers, and that’s only for the Vista upgrade version, not the full package. If you’re currently running Vista on your computer, there should be no problem upgrading to Windows 7 other than spending the ridiculous price for the upgrade; however, check your system specs online to make sure before proceeding.

So why upgrade? The real question is, why not if you can do it cheaply? First, if you’ve bought your computer in the last three to four months then you might be eligible for a free upgrade that you just don’t know about. Check with the retailer where you purchased your computer, and they should be able to give you a website to visit where you can order free upgrade CDs.

Also, there is currently a web deal where you can download the upgrade for around $40 with an optional digital back-up copy that will run you an additional $7 (recommended), and lasts two years. This means you can re-download Windows 7 anytime over the next two years if needed, while saving over half off the retail price. You’ll have to provide your MUN e-mail address in the process to confirm you’re a university student, and thus eligible to take part in this offer.

After talking with friends that have upgraded from Vista to Windows 7, I’ve found that it was an overall positive experience. Not only does the computer seem to start up faster, but overall, the OS functionality is greatly improved. The WordPad, Paint, and Calculator applications have all received updates, something that hasn't happened since The Goonies hit the box office.

The taskbar is also updated so that open windows show icons instead of bars, leading to a less-cluttered look. These are visible upgrades to the user interface, but behind the scenes there’s a lot more going on. Windows 7 HomeGroup allows for greater inter-connectivity between household devices for easier sharing of documents, media files, and network printing.

The User Account Control (UAC), that annoying, nagging application that asks for confirmation every time you do something of importance, has been fine tuned to maintain security while not getting all up in your face. These are just a few of the Windows 7 upgrades compared to Vista. If you’re interested in finding out more, just google Windows 7, or visit the Microsoft website.

So if you have a new computer, which can be seen as a costly investment, why not look into keeping it up to date and taking full advantage of possible deals while they’re around. This is an opportunity to upgrade your computer at a fraction of the cost, so visit Tech Visit http://sites.google.com/site/musetechstop/home to get the link, and the deal.

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