Windows 7 now available in South Africa

Microsoft today released its much-anticipated Windows 7 operating system in South Africa, saying it will ‘make it easier for users to do the things they want on a PC’.

“This is a significant moment for Microsoft and the industry as a whole,” said Mteto Nyati, the managing director of Microsoft South Africa at the gala launch event in Sandton on Thursday evening – an event supported by high-profile technology sponsors including Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Intel, Leaf, Lenovo, Mustek, Pinnacle, Samsung and Toshiba.

“Windows 7 marks a leap forward in the efficiency and simplicity of computing — it really does make everyday tasks easier, and it allows people to get the most out of computers of all styles and sizes.”

The new version of Windows is key for Microsoft for several reasons. For one, it signals what Nyati calls ‘a rebirth of cool’ in the consumer market, where the company is sometimes perceived as playing catch-up.

Just as importantly, it’s also the cornerstone of the company’s ‘three screens and a cloud’ vision, in which people connect seamlessly to the Internet and their data wherever they are, using whatever device they have with them at the time.

At the event, Microsoft also announced the release of a new range of Windows phones, which it believes will further boost its growing presence in the local mobile sector. Among other features, the new phones provide greater usability, a better transactional browsing experience, and online back-up for personal data, pictures and videos.

The company expects its partners to have several new devices in different styles and at different price points available before the end of the year, said Colin Erasmus, the head of the Windows business at Microsoft South Africa.

“Microsoft is leading the charge to create experiences that transcend individual PC, notebook, television and phone screens to create a connected experience across each of these routes to the Web,” said Erasmus.

“The new line of Windows phones from is all about tapping into this connected experience through an easy-to-use interface, great browsing capabilities and access to valuable services.”

Not surprisingly, though, the primary focus at the event was Windows 7 – especially the stability, the performance and the new features. These include enabling computers, televisions, radios, digital picture frames and other “smart” devices to talk to each other. Multi-touch screen capabilities built into Windows 7 have also spawned a new generation of devices that further blur lines between televisions and PCs.

Microsoft worked more closely than ever with computer makers, users and software developers while crafting Windows 7. More than eight million people have evaluated the new system since Microsoft began a beta test phase in January this year.

This collaboration has led to Windows 7 being supported by an unprecedented array of new computers and software programs. With more PC options available for customers at a wider range of price points, Erasmus said customers can choose the PC that fits their personality, style and needs – especially the new lines of small notebooks that are proving increasingly popular in South Africa.

“Windows 7 will be available pre-loaded on personal computers as of midnight on Thursday 22 October. For those customers that bought machines with Windows Vista and are looking for upgrade options, there are several programmes in place — we recommend people speak to the original retailer,” said Erasmus.

Against this backdrop, it’s expected that many companies working on Windows XP and Windows Vista will take the upgrade path to Windows 7 within the next 12-18 months. Local technology distributor Comztek is just one of the companies that has already made that leap locally, and now runs its mission-critical IT support operations live on Windows 7.

David Caygill, the business unit director at Comztek, said South African businesses need waste no time embracing the new OS. He said his company’s bold early adoption strategy was already paying dividends by streamlining its mission-critical IT operations.

“We identified a lot of functional and monetary benefits of Windows 7 early on,” said Caygill. “Most important is that Windows 7 works. It’s stable, responsive and helping us maintain a cost-effective IT business.”