Whereas Vista was launched with a huge marketing campaign that promised to deliver the 'wow factor', Windows 7 traded PR hyperbole for a more mature and low-key arrival (if you can accept that the chilling Windows 7 party advert was genuine rather than a cynical car-crash viral).

The emphasis, Microsoft insists, was on listening to what customers liked and loathed about its products. The reception from Computeractive readers has been positive, although many have told us they will stick with XP or Vista. Some who upgraded have reported compatibility problems with older hardware and software but at nothing like the level seen when Vista launched.

If you are still weighing up the upgrade or are planning a PC purchase for Christmas, here are some thoughts from Computeractive readers for you to consider.

Proving its worth
I am a Silver Surfer who has recently made a clean install of Windows 7. Before starting I went on to the Windows 7 upgrade advice page and printed off the instructions for upgrading XP to 7. By following these instructions I found the whole process very simple. On completion of the install & adding in all my devices and programs I find everything works without any problems. This operating system I find very good & easy to use. As I bought the disc on preorder it only cost me £50. Money well spent. I have installed Microsoft's free security suite called Security Essentials and this too is proving its worth. Your magazine continues to provide ideas & advice for which I thank you.

Maurice Wood

Driver worries
From my point of view that it's pretty well all it is cracked up to be but with one or exceptions. What I was not prepared for was the lack of drivers for some of my programs.Paint Shop Pro X2 will not ,so I am informed by Microsoft, be compatible with Windows 7 unless I buy Paint Shop Pro X2 ultimate edition. My point is that some manufacturers should have been better prepared for Windows 7. I don't, however, regret installing it as I regard it as a great improvement over Vista.

Ian Newman

Ridiculous price
I bought a laptop 18 months ago that came with Vista Home Premium and I found no problem switching from using XP to using Vista. I have had encountered no real problems with Vista which I use alongside Office 2007. Most of the ‘additions’ to Windows 7 are not going to be that useful to a lot of people, me included, so why the new package and at a ridiculous price certainly one I cannot afford. Surely, if the ‘additions’ are important, they can produce an upgrade package at a more reasonable price?

Keith Tingey