From all reports Windows 7 should start up faster and have a little faster performance than previous versions without the frustrations experienced in the Vista version.

If you are looking to upgrade an existing computer you will have 3 purchasing options: Home Premium ($199.99), Professional ($299.99) and Ultimate ($319.99). The first edition, Home Premium, will probably be the choice for most home users. This edition includes HomeGroup networking, handwriting recognition and the Windows Media Center among other things. The cool thing with this edition is that Microsoft is offering a Family Pack which includes 3 licenses for only $149.99. The Premium edition is suited to workplaces and extreme techies. This edition adds a backup feature, domain join, file encryption, remote desktop host and a Windows XP mode. The Ultimate goes a step further and the Premium adding the ability to encrypt USB drives and switch to any of 35 languages.

Default Screen:

Start Menu:

When a program is highlighted a Jump List will be displayed showing a recently used file list.