Windows 7 and Nettop’s

As my first few posts have been very Apple focused I thought it be worthwhile sharing my thoughts on Windows 7 and Nettops.

Nettops have not had the same level of advertising and publicity compared to Netbooks and are basically a very small form factor, low power desktop computer designed mainly for internet access and audio and video playback but can do much more. I recently purchased an Acer AsipreRevo R3600.

It’s a great little computer packed with lots of features including a NVIDA graphics chip set with HDMI connectivity which supports 1080p HD, it also has a Intel Atom 2.30 1.6GHz processer, 160GB HDD, 1 GB RAM, built in WiFi and comes with Windows Vista Home Premium which I just recently upgraded with Windows 7.

The only thing missing is an optical drive but I rarely use them so not really a problem.

One of the key features is a Vesa mounting kit enabling you to attach it straight to the back of your TV within minutes.

As for Windows 7 from what I have seen so far I can say it is a good step change from Vista. The upgrade took longer then expected but was virtually free thanks to Acer’s Windows Upgrade Programme . It is simpler and a little easier to use and you can see similarities to Apple Operating System.

Some new features include Jump lists and Snap, Peak, Shake along with enhancements to the Windows Task Bar and Search.

Jump List is are a great feature that give you access to websites, documents, music or videos that your most frequently use by simply right clicking the program icon in the task bar.

Snap provides a quick way to resize windows compare documents, Peak lets you peer past all your windows to see your desktop and Shake lets you uncluttered your desktop in a shake of your mouse.

So overall Windows 7 running on an Acer Asipre Revo R3600 is a great “Living Room Computer” and media centre enabling you to watch TV online, listen to music and surf the internet with ease.