This is part 1 of a 6 part series on setting up Windows 7.  You can see parts here at Just Another Mobile Monday and at iTechGear.org.

At the release of every new Microsoft operating system since Windows 98, everyone has wondered if the new operating system was for them.  Will my computer run it?  Will my computer’s performance be better?  Will I like the experience?  Will I have to buy new hardware components, or will a new PC be a better way to go?  These are all EXCELLENT questions.

I’ve been part of every Windows Technical beta team between Windows 95 through Windows XP.  I ran the CPP and public betas of Windows Vista.  I also ran the public beta and release candidate for Windows 7.  I am a Software Quality Assurance Director by day; and as such, I know a little bit about software testing, what kinds of issues, bumps and bruises to expect and watch out for during these times. However, answering these questions for friends, family, etc. may involve a few different kinds of answers.

In determining if Windows 7 (or any new operating system, for that matter) is right for you, you need to ask yourself a few questions about your computing environment:

1. How old is your computer?
   If your PC is 5 years old or older, you might want to consider a PC upgrade, or simply sticking with your existing OS.
2. Is upgrading your existing PC’s Hardware to Windows 7 minimums or better worth it?
   Only you can answer this question; and in many cases, its a financial issue at heart.  However, more drive space and more RAM never hurt anyone or was bad for any computer or operating system.  At the end of the day, given the economy and that new PC’s can cost from $200 to $1000 USD for an "entry" level system, you’re going to have to consider the economics before you take that plunge.

   Windows 7 has the following System Requirements:
   1gHz or faster 32bit/64bit processor
   1GB of RAM for 32bit processors
   2GB of RAM for 64bit processors
   16GB of available hard drive space
   A graphics card with a DirectX 9 compatible processor and WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

   A complete list of system requirements, including those for specific Windows 7 features, can be found at the System Requirements Page on Microsoft’s website.

3. Do I REALLY have to have the minimum system requirements, or can I skimp a bit?
   The short answer, yes.

   The long answer, yes; because even though you may be able to get Windows 7 to run on less than the minimums, at the end of the day, you’re not going to be happy with its performance. The OS really does need the bare minimums (especially processor and RAM); and the more it has, the better it will perform. Skimping in this area is really a round about way of saying, "I’d like to use the new OS, but don’t want to pay for a new PC or a series of upgrades."  If that’s your situation, you’re going to disappoint yourself and blame the OS for performing poorly on "substandard" equipment.

Think about it… answer these three simple questions honestly and then look for part 2 of this series on iTechGear.org in a day or so!

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Related posts:

1. Windows 7 Setup Part 6: Post-Partum: Things to do Immediately After Install (oh, and Welcome to Windows 7!)
2. Windows 7 Setup Part 5: Ripping the Band Aid Off and Installing Windows 7
3. Windows 7 Setup Part 2: Eanie-Meany-Miney-Moe – Choosing the Right Version of Windows 7
4. Windows 7 Setup Part 4: Pregame – Preparing for the Update..? Upgrade..?
5. Windows 7 Setup Part 3: The Right Tool for the Right Job – Getting the most Bang for Your Upgrade Buck