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Maybe.
Installed in a VM...
Either way, the end is near. One thing I am a bit curious about is the build number jumping that's been happening lately. I do wonder what that's all about, as the builds have been all over the map.
Discuss this Article 38
So I guess there isn't going to be any last minute surprise with the UI?
Just curious, Paul: do you know of any VM that can run Windows Vista/7 with Aero? I'm using VirtualBox with good results but, helas, no Aero...
aemarques: I've been looking for the same thing myself. So far though, no dice. Both VMWare and Parallels don't offer Aero support.
Maybe in a future release (I hope)
meason
Well, seeing how Paul's been posting about a new build every 3 days or so lately, I'm not sure the 30 day activation will really matter much.
Paul, can you take a screenshot of the taskbar pinned vertically to the left side of the screen? Preferably one with a lot of programs running.
meason
And I was kidding back about Paul's recent tendency to post "New Build of Windows 7 has leaked! - nothing has changed" every few days.
I think the 7200 builds were like a pre-RTM set. Or they actually made it to 7200?
I'm 100% sure that the 7600 set is the RTM escrow tree though, the builds even say it.
@aemarques:
You'd need to have DirectX9 shader support for Aero to function. There is no software emulation that currently does that aside from DirectX itself (version 10 actually), but it's also horribly, horribly slow as is to be expected with your CPU doing the work.
@Paul:
That CPU you got there must be really, REALLY overclocked!
I can't imagine running Windows 7 on the equivalent of an IBM XT. ;)
This is off topic, but I figured I would ask anyway. We have Software Assurance on a number of our Vista licenses (don't ask why). Will the upgrade for these licenses be available at RTM, GA or somwhere in between?
VM products have very limited graphic cards that are emulated. They just recently, VMware and Parallels, added basic DX9 support.
:o)
I'm sort of amazed that people thought there was going to be some big last minute surprise with the UI. Sure - there might be some wonderful new wallpaper or theme etc .. but by RC it is too late to be making big changes to the UI. 'Just doesn't happen in normal circumstances, does it? Does it !? No. So get a grip. LOL
OT: but related to graphics cards
nVidia just released a new WHQL graphics card driver for Windows 7.
Well, I guess we won't be seeing any ui tweak. Don't get me wrong, Windows 7 ui is VERY nice and crisp, although I was hoping they would have maybe added some 'depth' to the taskbar via some shadow effects or something similiar.
"Will the upgrade for these licenses be available at RTM, GA or somwhere in between?"
Sometime after RTM, as they'll have to push the images onto the business customers websites (eOpen and MVLS mainly).
@aemarques, that's a bit incorrect. DirectX 9.0c (SM 3.0) support is present in VMware Workstation 6.5 however the additions/integration components don't have WDDM support. Once VMware has a WDDM driver ready for Workstation, Aero will work.
"DirectX 9.0c (SM 3.0) support is present in VMware Workstation 6.5"
Ok you're a bit confused here:
Here's what it really is:
From VMware's website:
"■Support for DirectX 9.0c with Shader Model 2 3D graphics"
http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/new.html
It isn't SM 3.0 in VMware - it's Shader Model 2.0, which means it isn't fully compliant with DirectX9c, which is misleading on VMware's part.
Shader Model 3.0 is in DirectX9c and above. According to this, VMware is only including a subset of the features of DirectX9c.
To run Aero, this is what you need:
A DirectX9 compliant video card (9.0 is all that is required)
Pixel Shader Model 2.0 - in hardware (SM2.0 is in DX9.0)
128MB of video RAM
A WDDM driver
A "Premium" version of Vista
32bpp support (needed for Aero's glass effects)
Decent enough performance otherwise Windows may recommend turning it off*
*For a system to be "Premium Ready", it has to be AT LEAST 1GHz and have 1GB of RAM.
Any GeForce FX card, or an ATI Radeon 9500 or higher, or even an Intel GMA 950 can run Aero.
Now, not only does VMware not write a WDDM for Windows Vista, they also don't have the performance available to claim hardware-level Pixel Shader 2.0. It is an emulated video card after all. Unless they come up with some way of using some kind of video card virtualization (which would lead to major stability issues) instead of emulation , don't expect Aero or gaming to run well on any kind of virtualization environment.
OT: Windows 7 post:
Following up last nights post...
Here at the end of the day I've had some time to play with the OS and to do some reading about the Windows 7 features and I have to give MS some credit.
Coming from XP I love the design of the Superbar. It's going to make me more productive. Releasing it free is also a coup for MS. I can see myself becoming so productive with this OS that I'll be out buying a new Windows machine come next March. I'd planned on buying my first Mac then.
One Con: Paul, *please* lay off the superlatives:
>>
Windows 7 has come a long way since its sensational introduction
the Windows 7 RC is a shining star of performance, usability, stability, and maturity.
Windows 7, in release candidate guise, is already a towering achievement
I expect the company to finalize this product with mind-numbing efficiency and speed. <<
Lifehacker has good tips too: http://lifehacker.com/tag/windows-7/
crankenstein said:
Well, I guess we won't be seeing any ui tweak. Don't get me wrong, Windows 7 ui is VERY nice and crisp, although I was hoping they would have maybe added some 'depth' to the taskbar via some shadow effects or something similiar.
I was thinking the same thing, Paul seemed to think that something was coming, otherwise I think Win 7 is excellent and needs no real changes.
crankenstein said:
Well, I guess we won't be seeing any ui tweak. Don't get me wrong, Windows 7 ui is VERY nice and crisp, although I was hoping they would have maybe added some 'depth' to the taskbar via some shadow effects or something similiar.
I was thinking the same thing, Paul seemed to think that something was coming, otherwise I think Win 7 is excellent and needs no real changes.
@Waethorn, hmm I know SM2.0 is only DirectX 9.0, not 9.0c but Aero requires only SM2.0, it doesn't require SM3.0. Also, VMware could use WARP or Compute Shaders, so at least Windows 7 can surely run Aero smoothly in the near future. Even Workstation 7.0 might have it. Aero doesn't require as much power as games.
Hello all!
I'm a new member to the blog, though I have enjoyed reading the lively discussions (or partisan bickering depending on the topic) for quite some time now.
I don't have a strong opinion on this topic so it seemed like a good place to introduce myself. I will say, however, that I am looking forward to the release of Win7, as I have been impressed with it in first Beta and then RC form. Cheers!
Tom
Sorry. Hate to do this, but the short time window for comments gets to me sometimes.
This comment is on the article: OEMs, partners can’t brand Windows 7 Starter either.
I think a lot of people are missing Microsoft's intention with disabling branding of the starter version. The starter version is for emerging markets. Microsoft doesn't really intend it to be the default OS for netbooks in developed countries.
The whole point of disabling branding is not to punish users, but to prevent netbook and other system manufacturers from using the starter version instead of, say, Home Premium. If manufacturers want to brand the OS, they have to provide a better version.
It's a simple disincentive.
i ve been following up this blog from the time Windows 7 came up! 7 has been gr8! waiting for the RTM!
Windows 7 is less relevant by the day. As was Vista and Windows in general.
"Google keeps tripping over Microsoft' grave"
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10268180-16.html#
Windows 7 is less relevant by the day. As was Vista and Windows in general.
"Google keeps tripping over Microsoft' grave"
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10268180-16.html#
@Ocean "I can see myself becoming so productive with this OS that I'll be out buying a new Windows machine come next March. I'd planned on buying my first Mac then."
Wow when you were banned did you have to commit to saying such things before Paul would let you come back? Your could start your own blog, reverse switchers!!
@wjglenn141 really where did you get your "Starter Info"?
I had read that the branding was user removed so that providers liker Verizion selling HP netbooks, or whomever was on that tv ad I saw, could brand the subsidized netbook with their logo's, and a user could not change it. Like cell phones come with ATT/Sprint/Verizon on them when they power up.
"The starter version is for emerging markets."
That would be Basic, not Starter.
robertsjoe said:
Windows 7 is less relevant by the day. As was Vista and Windows in general.
"Google keeps tripping over Microsoft' grave
Almost took your seriously,every open source guy and gal is hanging his hat on Google,The problem is that Microsoft is well on its way to embracing and implementing it's cloud strategy.
There are companies that will become collateral damage in this, but its because they will get squeezed between Google and Microsoft.
Ironically where's Apple in all this?
robertsjoe said:
Windows 7 is less relevant by the day. As was Vista and Windows in general.
"Google keeps tripping over Microsoft' grave
Almost took your seriously,every open source guy and gal is hanging his hat on Google,The problem is that Microsoft is well on its way to embracing and implementing it's cloud strategy.
There are companies that will become collateral damage in this, but its because they will get squeezed between Google and Microsoft.
Ironically where's Apple in all this?
