Windows 7 beta already runs well on Eee PC
updated 03:45 pm EDT, Fri October 31, 2008
Win 7 Beta on Eee PC 1000H
Microsoft's vaunted Windows 7 netbook performance is already said to be proving valid in a Laptop test. Running the pre-beta version of the operating system, an ASUS Eee PC 1000H with a standard 1.6GHz Atom and 1GB of RAM boots the operating system in about one minute and performs roughly as well as Vista Home Basic despite the rougher state of the newer software and glass effects; claims that it would use 512MB or less of memory are accurate with a relatively modest 485MB in use without extra running apps.
Multitasking is described as smooth, while one of Windows 7's early confirmed features, a simpler wireless networking manager, is also working well. The only clear limitation at this stage is occasional stuttering in 720p video playback, the magazine claims.
The news is potentially crucial to Microsoft and its plans for netbooks. Until now, Vista has generally been excluded from netbooks due to its high overall system demand and has often been replaced with either Windows XP or Linux.
