Bloom ahead with my newsletter designed to help you keep up to date with the latest technology, tips, tricks and computer safety.  This Newsletter is designed to keep you “In the Know” about new advances in technology that you cannot afford to miss out on.

This edition contains the following:

1. Windows 7: Forget Vista, Say Goodbye to XP
2. Windows Phone: Windows Mobile 6.5

Windows 7: Forget Vista, Say Goodbye to XP

Forget about Vista! At least that’s what Microsoft wants you to do. They have brought out Windows 7 very quickly, and mainly to wash away the bad taste of Vista, yuk!  Beanstalk Computing is recommending that their clients either stick with Windows XP or wait until Windows 7 is released on October 22nd. Note that if you buy a computer now with Vista you will get an upgrade to 7 free!

Versions:

What version of Windows 7 should you get?  According to SuperSite the choice will come down to two or, at most, three choices, Windows 7 Home Premium, which is aimed at consumers, Windows 7 Pro, which adds some business-oriented features, and Windows 7 Ultimate, the “uber” version of Windows 7.

Most consumers should go for Home Premium.  It’s priced right, it includes the features that consumers want, and it’s not missing any major functionality.

In the business world, Beanstalk Computing recommends Windows 7 Professional.  It includes support for Active Directory based domains.  You also gain access to Windows XP Mode, a virtual fully licensed copy of Windows XP, so you are guaranteed that ALL legacy software will work!  Its like two operating systems in one!  Some other features include support for 192GB of RAM, automated network backups, remote desktop, offline file support, and presentation mode.

Windows 7 Ultimate includes every single feature.  Compared to Windows 7 Professional, there are only a few differences that apply to individuals, so its a pretty uninteresting upgrade.   The main addition is BitLocker and BitLocker To Go, the drive encryption add on, but that's about it. 

Upgrading:

Upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows Vista is a snap.  Simply put the CD in and click a few buttons and go.  Note that you have to keep in the same or higher version to upgrade.  IE, Vista Home Basic can be upgraded to Vista Home Premium or higher, but Vista Ultimate can not be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium.  Unfortunately, Windows XP has no direct upgrade path, you would have to format and reinstall from scratch.  You can, however take advantage of the upgrade pricing.

Pricing:

Pricing for Windows 7 Upgrades is as follows:  $119.99 for Windows Home Premium, $199.99 for Windows 7 Professional, and $219.99 for Windows 7 Ultimate.  For the full version the pricing is $199.99 for Home Premium, $299.99 for Professional, and $319.99 for Ultimate.

Let Beanstalk Computing help your business upgrade to Windows 7, we offer a free audit to see how Windows 7 can improve your business.

Windows Phone: Windows Mobile 6.5

Microsoft just launched their Windows Mobile 6.5 Family, dubbed Windows Phone.  Featuring the next generation phones, with easier usability, browser enhancements, and a new user interface.

Using Windows Mobile 6.5 as the software, several top phone companies have banded together with Microsoft to create an amazing line-up. Let’s see what these phones can offer that’s different.

AT&T has released the Tilt 2 by HTC, also available as the HTC Touch Pro 2 by Verizon which is designed to attract business-minded people with its TouchFLO 3D mode and QWERTY keyboard. Even more important is the focus of this phone to provide professionals with an interactive venue for conference calls with a high quality speakerphone.

AT&T’s HTC Pure which is an offshoot of Diamond 2, without the heavy design, is now a sleek, glossy mobile with an autofocus 3.5 megapixel camera, and a 3.2 inch screen.

Verizon matches AT&T with its HTC Imagio which is essentially an upgrade from the Touch Diamond 2. It allows you to customize the phone according to your needs; has a bigger screen, GSM and CDMA with 3G, and the FLO TV tuner. Stream music, sports, news, movies, and even stock market reports with Imagio, and experience the freedom of mobility.

Samsung’s Intrepid which is being retailed for the same price as the Pure is an upgrade of the OMNIA Pro, available from Sprint.

Comparing Windows 6.5 to the older 6.1, the entire experience is upgraded.  But it seems like a minor upgrade from 6.1 and still does not compete with the iPhone in the overall user experience, although the new Windows Marketplace is a step in the right direction to compete with the app store. One reason to buy it is the Exchange ActiveSync technology is a cut above the rest, but on the other hand, why not just wait for Windows Mobile 7.0?

Beanstalk Computing, Inc
615 "C" Street, Suite 225, San Diego, CA 92101
phone: 800-813-0926 | fax: 877-893-2570 info@beanstalkcomputing.com