ClickAway: Your Windows 7 Experts!
You've probably heard the news that Windows 7 will be available on October 22. ClickAway has been involved in pre-release testing, so our technicians have had a chance to work with Windows 7 more closely than many other companies. The good news for our customers is that Windows 7 looks like a solid product, and one that we are happy to recommend.
Take a look at our Quick Guide to Windows 7 for answers to the questions we are commonly asked about this new Operating System.
A Quick Guide to Windows 7
Should I upgrade to Windows 7?
As with so many things in the computer world, the answer differs from person to person so you should check with your ClickAway Technician. But in general, this is what we think about upgrading:Absolutely Upgrade!
If you are currently using Windows Vista and experiencing slow performance or system crashes, or are annoyed by Vista's frequent security questions, you should definitely consider upgrading to Windows 7. Our tests have shown Win 7 to be a faster and more stable operating system, and much less "needy" security-wise.
We Strongly Suggest You Upgrade
If you own a Windows XP computer that is less than 3 years old and can support Windows 7, we suggest upgrading. Windows 7 is a superior operating system with great stability, enhanced performance, low resource consumption and better security. Overall, we feel Windows 7 is easier and better than XP.
You Probably Should Not Upgrade
- If you are using Vista and have been happy with that OS, you might not see a huge difference between Vista and Win 7.
- If your computer is running Windows XP and is more than 3 years old, you may not be able to upgrade because your computer's hardware may not be capable of running Windows 7. You can check with a ClickAway Technician to learn more about Windows 7 hardware requirements. Of course, if your computer is more than three years old, you may want to consider purchasing a new Windows 7 computer - you'll be amazed to see how much faster computers are today than they were three years ago! Your friendly ClickAway Technician can help you chose the computer that is right for you, and with our low price guarantee, you can be sure you're getting the most for your money.
What does it cost to upgrade to Windows 7? How long does it take?
Prices are shown below. In most cases, we can perform the upgrade in less than 24 hours.
| Upgrade to Windows 7 | MSRP | Windows 7 Installed* |
| Home Premium Upgrade 32/64 bit MS GFC-00020 |
$119.99 | $189 |
| Professional Upgrade 32/64 bit MS FQC-00130 |
$199.99 | $269 |
| Ultimate Upgrade 32/64 bit MS GLC-00184 |
$219.99 | $289 |
| Windows 7 | ||
| Home Premium32/64 bit MS GFC-00019 |
$199.99 | $269 |
| Professional 32/64 bit MS FQC-00129 |
$299.99 | $369 |
| Ultimate 32/64 bit MS GLC-00182 Windows 7 |
$319.99 | $389 |
| *in-store installation | ||
Can't I just do the upgrade myself?
You can, although Microsoft recommends using a professional. From their website: "Should you choose to upgrade your current PC from Windows XP or another operating system to Windows 7, we recommend that you get help with this process from your local computer service provider. You'll need to back up your current files and settings, perform a custom (clean) installation, and then reinstall your files, settings, and programs."
Windows 7 Comparison Chart
This chart will help you understand some of the differences between the different versions of Windows 7. Call your ClickAway Technician for more details!
What are the basic Windows 7 system requirements?
If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:
- gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
You can run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your computer is Windows 7 compatible.
