Analyst: It’s time to skip Vista altogether
A leading tech industry analysis firm says any company which isn’t already in the process of upgrading to Vista should skip it altogether. Gartner is taking the unusual step of recommending Windows 7 right from the off.
The usual rule of thumb for such analysts is that firms should wait until the first service pack comes out for a new edition of Windows, the logic being that this marks the point that enough teething troubles are rectified to make the system reliable enough for corporate use.
However, Gartner has now put out a briefing note in response to the confirmation that Windows 7 will be out later this year. It’s predicting that the release to manufacturing – the point when computer makers get their hands on the system to install it on new machines – could be as early as mid-September.
The firm also notes that some of the key features in the Enterprise edition of Windows 7, notable AppLocker (which gives control over what applications network users install and run), will affect the timescale of when businesses upgrade.
It’s recommendations are:
Firms that haven’t yet made plans to upgrade to Vista should simply go straight to Windows 7 as any delay this causes would be outweighed by the improved system and the fact that this route means less hassle long-term.
Firms that are planning a Vista upgrade should weigh up the benefits of Windows 7 against the delays it would cause to their schedule.
Firms that are already mid-upgrade to Vista should continue, but then upgrade to Windows 7 within 18 months of its release, particularly if they’ve already bought new hardware for Vista.
The advice is a change of heart for Gartner, which twice warned against skipping Vista in 2007 reports. Of course, this week’s advice is based on the very different situations which firms find themselves in when making the decision today.
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May 16th, 2009
Well, to Gartner I say, “Duh!”
May 17th, 2009
“Firms that are planning a Vista upgrade should weigh up the benefits of Windows 7 against the delays it would cause to their schedule.”
What benefits?