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This is from TechScreen

Its no secret that Microsoft has already begun work on the next version of Windows, Windows 7 (formerly, Windows Vienna). Little is known about, since Microsoft is keeping mum on it, lest it should repeat the disaster that was Vista (or rather Longhorn's) development cycle. Let's take a look at what we know so far about Windows 7.

1. It will be released in late 2009 - This is perhaps the only solid fact that we know about Windows 7. Other than Windows Vista, all previous Windows versions have been released within at least 3 years of each other, so with Vista's debut in January 2007 we can safely assume Windows 7 so be in stores by late 2009 (or at the latest early 2010).

2. It will be a minor release: According to Microsoft, every other release of Windows will be a major update, therefore, since Windows Vista was a major release, Windows 7 is set to be minor update. However there is still some chance that Windows 7 will be a major release. Firstly it bears a whole new version number, secondly since Windows Vista was largely a disappointing release, Microsoft might be compelled to make the next version much more interesting.

3. There will be both 32-bit and 64-bit versions: Although the official word so far is that Windows 7 will be 64 bit, it should be noted that when Windows XP was released, Windows Longhorn was planned to be a 64-bit version only. Since most of the PCs in existence today are 32-bit, with so signs of a radical shift to 64-bit anytime soon, Windows 7 should be released in both 32-bit versions.

4. There will be a new UI component: When Microsoft first drew up plans for Windows 7 (back when it was codenamed Blackcomb), there were rumors that the current UI will be replaced with an entirely new one, with some reference to a sort of radial-dial. Where are no chances for a complete overhaul of the current interface, Microsoft has been working on several new UI ideas, some of which may slip into Windows 7. Indeed, this might be a way to transition us from the current UI to the new one in future Windows releases.

5. Hypervisor: Microsoft is currently working on a new hypervisor system codenamed "Viridian" with OS integration at the lowest level, and already Windows Vista includes extensions to boost performance when running on top of the Viridian hypervisor. We can expect Windows 7 to have a higher level of interaction with Viridian.

The article goes on to make a few obvious predictions, but they are purely speculative.

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Since most of the PCs in existence today are 32-bit, with so signs of a radical shift to 64-bit anytime soon, Windows 7 should be released in both 32-bit versions.

I don't agree with that at all. I mean think about it.... Pretty much every PC sold now has a 64-bit processor, and 64-bit processors have been the mainstream for quite some time, ever since the Athlon 64 was released a couple of years ago. If you are running a non-64 bit processor now, you have a fairly old machine or a budget machine.. both of which would probably not be powerful enough for an operating system to be released in 2-3 years time.

I don't agree with that at all. I mean think about it.... Pretty much every PC sold now has a 64-bit processor, and 64-bit processors have been the mainstream for quite some time, ever since the Athlon 64 was released a couple of years ago. If you are running a non-64 bit processor now, you have a fairly old machine or a budget machine.. both of which would probably not be powerful enough for an operating system to be released in 2-3 years time.

I don't know anybody with 64 bit processors. My job just ordered a whole ass-load of new computers, and none are 64 bit. 32 bit will be around for quite a while. K thx.

I don't know anybody with 64 bit processors. My job just ordered a whole ass-load of new computers, and none are 64 bit. 32 bit will be around for quite a while. K thx.

What processors did you get? Almost every new PC made supports 64bit these days, a lot of people aren't even aware their computer has a 64bit processor.

yeah I am very disappointed with Vista, and I think 7 will be the "good recovery" of Microsoft, like XP was.

And unless we have some HUGE change with the way everything works with PC's in the next 2 yrs I don't see it being 64bit exclusively.

I don't know anybody with 64 bit processors. My job just ordered a whole ass-load of new computers, and none are 64 bit. 32 bit will be around for quite a while. K thx.

the later Pentium 4s were 64bit, all the Pentium Ds were 64bit

Core 2 Duo is 64bit, AMD Athlon 64 is 64bit.

Even the really cheap processors (Intel's Celeron and AMD's Sempron) have 64bit now.

The only CPU thats on the market thats not 64bit is the Core Duo witch most have moved on to Core 2 Duo the main computer that comes to mind that uses Core Duo is the Mac Mini. Almost all processors sold today are 64bit, maybe you should do your research before freaking out on someone.

I have no doubt that it will be 64bit only 32bit uses can use Vista or even XP but Vista already like to have a lot of ram (2GB or more for it to run nice) I'm sure many computers sold in 2009 will have 4GB+ of ram and thus 64bit is needed, plus it will push 64bit developent for drivers and software.

I don't agree with that at all. I mean think about it.... Pretty much every PC sold now has a 64-bit processor, and 64-bit processors have been the mainstream for quite some time, ever since the Athlon 64 was released a couple of years ago. If you are running a non-64 bit processor now, you have a fairly old machine or a budget machine.. both of which would probably not be powerful enough for an operating system to be released in 2-3 years time.

The key words being "in existance". Sure, almost all PCs sold today and in the last few years have supported 64 bit, but the vast majority of computers in the world are much much older. Think about the small percentage of computers that can upgrade to Vista 32-bit, and imagine that if it were limited to 64!

The key words being "in existance". Sure, almost all PCs sold today and in the last few years have supported 64 bit, but the vast majority of computers in the world are much much older. Think about the small percentage of computers that can upgrade to Vista 32-bit, and imagine that if it were limited to 64!

Anyone who hasn't upgraded their computer in the past 4 years either built a beast or doesn't need to be on the cutting edge.

Seriously, it's time we make a move to 64-bit.

2^32 is over 4 billion while 2^64 is over 18 quintillion.

The next computer I'm gonna have is gonna be purely 64-bit only.

I very much doubt a PC with a 32bit only CPU would even meet the minimum specs for Vienna when it comes out, i'm not too sure about the Core Duo's (1) but i think the best 32bit only CPU available is what, a 3200 Athlon XP? and i wouldn't fancy running vista on one of them.

Oh yeah, and didn't MS publicly disclose that Windows Server 2008 would be the LAST 32-bit OS, both client and server sides?

interesting, but changing the UI thats been around for X number of years, is a major rebranding, without the start button windows wouldnt be windows, so i dont think it will happen

Windows Vista doesn't have a "Start" button. Its just an orb.

Edited by Aden Frost
I don't know anybody with 64 bit processors. My job just ordered a whole ass-load of new computers, and none are 64 bit. 32 bit will be around for quite a while. K thx.

That is very unlikely. While the computers may not be running 64bit, they were very likely 64-bit machines.

Unless they were Core Duo mobile processors (Yonah), they were most likely 32bit, or old-as-hell, on the order of Athlon XP, or Pentium 4.

You can still get some 32-bit laptops from places like dell/hp, with Core Duo, but everything else is 64bit capable.

Oh yeah, and didn't MS publicly disclose that Windows Server 2008 would be the LAST 32-bit OS, both client and server sides?

No. The guy in the server division said that Server '08 would be the last 32-bit OS "they" would be producing. It isn't clear if he meant all of MS, or just the server people.

When XP was released, Vista (or rather Longhorn) was also supposed to be 64-bit only

Uhm yeah, tell me, how many people were 64-bit capable? Uhm, think, most had old athlon xps... My brother still has an athlon xp.... Most have 64-bit now and they dont even know that or they deny it... By 2009 the transition should be complete...

Uhm yeah, tell me, how many people were 64-bit capable? Uhm, think, most had old athlon xps... My brother still has an athlon xp.... Most have 64-bit now and they dont even know that or they deny it... By 2009 the transition should be complete...

By that time we (PC users) should already be in the 128 bit transition. Lol.

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