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Check out Faultwire Pro
  Windows 7
  good star The Good  
 
  • Improved Security
  • Faster Operations
  • HomeGroup
  • Better Stability
  • More drivers
  
  bad The Bad  
 
  • May need new hardware
  • User Access Control
    (can be disabled)
  
 

Our Summary
A important, if not critical, upgrade from XP and desirable if using Vista. With up-to-date hardware, we strongly recommend Windows 7 as the best choice for safety and stability.

  
 
Windows 7 Top
     
  Jump to bottom for discount price comparisons...  
     
  Comparison of Windows 7 Editions  
     
 
 General
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Type
Retail
Retail
Retail
Suggested Retail Price
$199.99
$299.99
$319.00
Suggested Retail Upgrade Price
$119.99
$199.99
$219.99
Jump below for Upgrade Price Analysis
 
 Performance Enhancements
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
ReadyDrive
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check
check
ReadyBoost
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check
check
Number of CPUs supported
2
2
2
Cores supported per processor supported
unlimited
unlimited
unlimited
64-bit CPU support
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check
check
Max RAM (32-bit CPUs)
4 GB
4 GB
4 GB
Max RAM (64-bit CPUs)
16 GB
128+ GB
128+ GB
Automatic hard disk defragmentation
check
check
check
Windows SuperFetch
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check
check
 
 Included Applications
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Windows Calendar
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check
check
Windows Contacts
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check
check
Windows Explorer
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check
check
Windows Sidebar
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check
check
Premium Games
check
check
check
Backup and Recovery - Real-time
check
check
check
Windows ShadowCopy  
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check
System image backup and recovery  
check
check
Windows DVD Maker
check
  
check
 
Multimedia Features
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Photo Slide Shows with Themes
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check
check
Watch TV with pause, rewind and record
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check
check
Windows Media Player 12
check
check
check
Windows Media Center with HDTV support
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check
Xbox 360 Media Center Extender support
check
check
 
Security
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Windows Security Center
check
check
check
Windows Defender (Anti-Spyware)
check
check
check
Windows Firewall
check
check
check
User Account Control
check
check
check
Parental Controls
check
  
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Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption    
check
Encrypting Files System (EFS)  
check
check
 
 Internet
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Internet Explorer 8
check
check
check
RRS support
check
check
check
Anti-Phishing
check
check
check
IE8 Protected mode
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check
check
Data Execution Protection
check
check
check
 
 Networking
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Network and Sharing Center
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check
check
Improved Wireless Network Access
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check
check
File and folder sharing
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check
check
HomeGroup to share files and folders
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check
check
Windows Meeting Space
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check
check
Network projector support
check
check
check
Windows Mobility Center
Limited
check
check
Sync Center
check
check
check
Join domain  
check
check
IIS Web Server  
check
check
 
 User Interface
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Windows Aero UI
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check
check
Windows Flip
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check
check
Windows Flip 3D
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check
check
Live Taskbar Thumbnails
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check
check
Live content organization in Explorer
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check
check
Instant Search
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check
check
Tablet PC functions
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check
check
Touch Screen support
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check
Presentation Settings
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check
check
Windows Sideshow (multiple displays)
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check
check
 
 But wait! There's more...
Home Premium
Professional
Ultimate
Speech recognition
check
check
check
Welcome Center
check
check
check
XPS document support
check
check
check
Upgrade anytime to Ultimate
check
check
n/a
Windows XP Mode (separate download)
check
check
check
Automatic Backup  
check
check
Windows Fax and Scan  
check
check
Multi-Language switcher - 35 languages    
check
 
  Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade  
     
   
  Windows 7 Professional Upgrade  
     
   
  Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade  
     
   
  For Windows Vista Edition Comparison and Pricing