Windows 7 is a good, stable system for a computer (finally), however it is very important to see if the programs you already own will work on it.

Many smaller programs, like Quicken, Family Tree Maker, and games do NOT work on Vista or Windows 7.  So, you will have to buy all new software for your computer.  If you own a business, you will probably have to buy new software for ALL the computers in the office which share data.

Plus, the computer you have probably doesn't have enough memory and a "Dual Core" processor, which will make any larger operating system run faster.

So, the cost of upgrading a Windows XP computer would be:

• More memory (approx. $100)
• Windows 7 (minimum $150)
• Labor ($80 to $240, depending on the amount of data you had

and you would then have a slower computer than you had before, with a hard drive that only last about 5 to 7 years from the date you started using it.  (Your hard drive is only expected to work 5 to 7 years after you buy it).

Scott Henke, Dana Hanson