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Operating Systems

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Researching operating systems

I am choosing Windows XP for the basic low end computer because the system requirements are fairly low and it will work on just about any personal computer that is being used today. The operating system I am choosing for the high end computer is Windows 7. Its requirements are tailor-made more for the newer and higher end computers. Some of the computers that are out there will not be able to run windows 7. Windows XP system requirements are a Pentium 233 megahertz processor, at least 64 megabytes of system memory, at least 1.5 gigabytes of hard disk space, CD-ROM or DVD drive, video adaptor, and a monitor with a screen resolution of 800x600 or higher. Windows XP doesn’t have a very memory intensive graphical user interface either. If you are upgrading from Windows 2000 you probably won’t notice too much of a difference as far as the general look and feel of the operating system. You will have to activate it soon after you install the program to keep it from deactivating. Windows XP also has better security and protection than previous versions.
Windows 7 system requirements are 1 gigahertz or faster processor, 1 gigabyte of system memory for 32 bit systems and 2 gigabytes of system memory for 64 bit systems, 16 gigabytes of hard disk space for 32 bit systems and 20 gigabytes of hard disk space for 64 bit systems, support for DirectX 9 with windows display driver model 1.0 and 128 megabytes of memory for the Aero theme desktop, a monitor with at least 1024x768 screen resolution, and an internet connection. There is quite a difference in looks and security from Windows XP to Windows 7. The desktop task bar and windows are transparent and the images are more crisp and refined in Windows 7 due to the Aero desktop theme. The Windows XP desktop is not transparent because it does not support the Aero theme. Windows XP does not support Windows Cloud and is also being phased out by Microsoft no longer supporting service pack 1 and 2. Windows 7 has higher quality video and faster computing do to it supporting and running in 64 bit. Video editing and CAD applications will be able to do more precise and involved projects because there will be double the data transfer in 64 bit systems as there would be in 32 bit systems. In Windows 7 you can play music, movies, and other media on stereos, TVs, and other computers anywhere in your house. You can compare and resize windows easier with the snap feature. Networking is less of a headache on a home network due to easier file and printer sharing with a feature called Home Group. Jump lists make organizing and accessing your pictures, songs, websites, and documents that much easier. The icons on the taskbar are easier to see and you have many more ways you can customize the way Windows 7 looks so that it becomes your true personal computer.

References

Preppernau, Joan & Cox, Joyce. ( © 2010). Windows 7: step by step. [Books24x7 version] Available from http://common.books24x7.com.proxy.itt-tech.edu/toc.aspx?bookid=32632.

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