[Aus_azn]

So, I'm currently on XP Pro on my 1010.

Could someone enumerate the pros and cons between using Windows 7 or Windows XP? I'm debating whether or not to migrate to Windows 7.

I obviously understand the limitations of using Windows 7 due to the limitation on RAM and graphics (I do not expect to use Aero). If it helps, I will be using Windows 7 Professional.

Please weigh in on battery life and overall performance.

Which would you use and why?

[rrfranczak3]

I run both XP Pro (hardly ever) and Win 7 Ultimate, Win 7 runs faster I think, I also run with Aero on, my battery still lasts 6 - 6 1/2 hrs depending on what I am doing, but if I were you I would upgrade to 2gb though it does help

[Aus_azn]

Originally Posted by rrfranczak3

I run both XP Pro (hardly ever) and Win 7 Ultimate, Win 7 runs faster I think, I also run with Aero on, my battery still lasts 6 - 6 1/2 hrs depending on what I am doing, but if I were you I would upgrade to 2gb though it does help

I don't have the care for Aero in particular; I was considering running it in either Windows Basic or Windows Classic to save both resources and screen real-estate.

6.5 hours, is that on an extended battery? I only have the flush battery, and I can't remember how many cells that one has (presuming 3?). I'm getting anywhere between 4-5 now on XP, and I need it to last that long at the very least. I have heard things about Win7's power management being significantly better, but I don't know how true that is, since my only Win7 machines are desktops...

I don't have confidence in my abilities to not screw up a motherboard upgrade, and I just don't see enough risk-time-reward value in doing it jsut for an extra gig of RAM.

[rrfranczak3]

well, 1st 6 1/2 hrs on the 1010 with a 6cell is actually considered good, the newer 1012 and 1018's actually last a while longer with the flush style 6cell, mine is the 1010 6cell that sticks out, which I particularly like because I think it sets the keyboard at a better angle for typing while lifting the machine up a little for better cooling, 2nd the 2gb upgrade is easy, its just replacing the daughter board and it IS worth it for that EXTRA GIG OF RAM, I even run Photoshop on my system with very little drag at all and I run a 3.6ghz P4 HP Laptop right next to it and there is not that big of a difference while internal processing on the HP is like lightening compared the the Dell, my little guy does pretty damn good though

[Aus_azn]

All that really gets run on the Mini are Starcraft 1, OneNote, Foxit Reader and Firefox (don't ask me to use Chrome; I like auto-deletion of cookies and history, and use a lot of RSS feeds), with occasional viewing of movies (720p and 1080p movies appear to lag a little), and I've heard that Win7 at least helps with the movies.