"With this edition of Windows 7 you will get improved navigation features like Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap."
Karim Beerahee
Professional is the first upgrade of the new Windows 7 operating system.
It comes with all the features of the Home Premium package and has a few added extras which make it ‘professional’.
What we like best
With this edition of Windows 7 you will get improved navigation features like Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap as well as faster boot up and shut down times.
You will also benefit from the new security feature called BitLocker, which protects you sensitive data and portable storage devices against theft or loss.
XP mode which allows you run some of the older programs on your new system could be a mandatory tool for some, as the Home Premium package needs a clean installation if you’re running XP – this means you would have to wipe your hard drive before starting Windows 7 Professional.
What we like least
One thing to check before buying the upgrade is that your system supports Hardware-Assisted Visualization, if you are without it XP Mode will not run.
The Domain Join feature allows acccess to company networks, a feat which you may have been struggling with up until now. The other distinguishing feature from it lesser cousin Home Premium is a back up ability that sends your banked data to a home or business network.
As the mid-level edition of the Windows 7 operating system Professional is designed for those who require the added features without going too far. Checking the specific differences between editions is important because otherwise you may pay for features you don’t really require.
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Features
Safeguard your work with Backup and Restore and have some fun with the Windows Media Centre
Add On
Available as an upgrade
Download or CD
CD
Compatible with
Vista
XP requires clean installation
System Requirements
- 1 GHz processor
- Minimum 1 Gb RAM (32-bit installation)
- Support for DirectX 9 graphics device with 128 Mb of graphics memory (for Windows Aero)
- 16 Gb of available disk space (32-bit)
- DVD drive for installation
After boasting of 8.6 million customer downloads of the beta version of the software by UK customers, Rosie Khdir reports back from the press launch on why these businesses chose Microsoft Office 2010.
Microsoft has just released its Office 2010 professional version and According to Jeff Teper, Corporate Vice President, Office Business Platform, Microsoft Business Division said:
“We think we are going to reach more consumers than ever before.”
Many people attending the event and many of you readers out there may be wondering why, in such an economic state, businesses will chose to upgrade to Microsoft Office 2010? Well Microsoft and its clients were ready and willing to answer this question.
Peter Scott, CTO End User Technology, BT
Peter Scott presented a convincing case for Microsoft. He pointed out that SharePoint 2010 was vital for the efficient management of BT’s enterprise, thanks to its collaboration, cloud and knowledge management capabilities.
He said that SharePoint 2010’s “integration with the desktop provided a seamless experience” and he emphasised its ability to work along multiple platforms and both in office and while mobile.
He also said that it provided an easy solution to the problem of having complex media such as podcasts and forums that became inconsistent for users.
Saty Gahir, Enterprise Content and Training Manager, Football Association (FA)
Saty Gahir spoke about the long-winded process of a disciplinary action for the FA and that they were looking for a solution that would help “streamline data accessibility”.
He said that the FA had sought the advice of Concentra, a Microsoft partner, which pointed them to SharePoint 2010. Gahir said:
“Although the The FA has had a solid legacy working with Office 2003 and 2007, we required a single platform that could offer us the collaboration needs we are after.
“With departments spread over a circumference of 1km at Wembley Stadium, SharePoint will make huge improvements in efficiencies and cost savings. Early indications show that in our disciplinary cases we envision savings of up to 75% just in our courier costs alone.”
Gary Smith, Head of IS Program Management Office, Cancer Research UK
Gary Smith told us at the press launch yesterday, that his focus was on efficiency, so that more of the charity’s money could go to research. Smith said that using the most up-to-date technologies leads to a more efficient workflow:
“By embracing these technologies we can provide our project management community with the tools to allow them to focus their time on delivering projects faster and therefore, leaving maximum funds to go back into research.
“For example, a word based project highlight report was taking nearly 40 minutes to produce. By using both SharePoint and Project Server 2010 this now takes seconds, which is a big benefit for our senior project managers, enabling them to add real value back into the management of their projects.”
Smith also said that by using SharePoint 2010 users could “bring information to life” and get real-time access to that information from virtually anywhere in the world. He highlighted the benefits of cloud computing saying:
“We see cloud technology as being a good catalyst for us to drive down costs as we are putting plans in place for the future.”
Find about more about Microsoft Office 2010 here.
Images courtesy of Boreham Media with thanks to Bite PR.
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