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It’s the Windows way. Users can upgrade their OS from the prior version but not from two versions prior. Everyone still running Windows XP has no choice: If they want Windows 7, they’re going to have to do it from a clean install, regardless of whether or not they purchased an “upgrade” Windows 7 license.
A high-caliber OS needs an equally capable hardware foundation. Intel’s DP55WB motherboard backed by the Core i5-750 processor will keep clients running at peak efficiency well into the future.
For a 64-bit configuration, figure at least 2GB of system memory and 20GB of hard disk space. Windows XP Mode guarantees backward compatibility with legacy applications, but because it entails running a full copy of XP as a virtual OS within Windows 7, you can add another gigabyte of RAM (3GB total) and extra 15GB of disk space, not to mention a CPU with hardware virtualization support. And forget discussing resolution—Windows 7 requires at least DirectX 9- and WDDM 1.0-compliant graphics.
Obviously, the world has moved on. Old Windows XP-era hardware can’t keep up with today’s demands for performance and productivity. Windows 7 is everything that Vista should have been, and there’s a heap of reasons why businesses (and consumers) can benefit from stepping into Microsoft’s new OS.
Keep in mind that in February of this year, Forrester pegged enterprise adoption of Windows Vista at only 8.8% while 87.1% clung to XP. So the opportunity to capitalize on Win7's arrival is huge, but you’re going to need more than the operating system alone to create a compelling package.
The heavy duty overhaul Intel gave to its Core i7 in updating the Core 2 architecture has been amply described by Intel and others. As with Windows 7, there’s a lot of new value in the “Nehalem” architecture that’s worth investing in—performance and power-savings topping the list. However, Intel’s flagship CPU series comes with flagship pricing that’s appropriate for high-end systems but probably not mainstream business boxes.
The XP Mode capabilities within Windows 7 ensure no compatibility loss with older applications, but users will need a platform that won’t buckle under virtualizing an OS within an OS.
Despite all the multi-core hype, most applications still don’t take decent advantage of many threads, and if an app won’t utilize more than four threads, there’s no point in paying for more cores to sit around idle.
Naturally, you need a high-value board to place under that i5 processor, and the microATX DP55WB, now retailing for just $99, fits perfectly. The unit fits with the i5's LGA1156 socket and sports the full suite of quality validations businesses count on.
But with 8-channel HD Audio, Gigabit Ethernet, up to 14 USB 2.0 ports, six SATA 3 Gb/sec ports, and even a FireWire header, this board is rigged for next-generation presentations and media. The single PCI Express 2.0 graphics slot assures an upgrade path for whatever graphics needs buyers might face.
With the board and Core i5-750 together, you’ve got a platform with all of today’s latest features perfectly meshed to the capabilities of Windows 7—and lots of headroom for desktop clients to grow into.
The XP Mode capabilities within Windows 7 ensure no compatibility loss with older applications, but users will need a platform that won’t buckle under virtualizing an OS within an OS.
Not least of all, don’t forget that there’s a significant service opportunity thrown in with Windows 7 migrations. Everyone knows that clean OS installs are more desirable than upgrades, primarily to sweep away all of the inevitable background deadweight and junk that collects in the registry.
A tool such as Windows 7 Easy Transfer can help preserve files and settings, but this along takes time and still leaves a formidable amount of application reinstallation for the customer (see this TechNet how-to: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd446674(WS.10).aspx#BKMK_UpgradeFromXP).
Make migration and reinstallation services part of your Windows 7 system sale. This is something that major OEMs can’t readily perform, and you can turn it into a competitive advantage on top of your superior hardware solution.
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