If you’re thinking of upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 later this fall, set aside some time – especially if you’ve got a lower-end machine with a bunch of applications already installed and a hard drive full of files. One of Microsoft’s own engineers clocked in a 1220-minute upgrade time on just such a machine.
The scenario: A 32-bit Vista to 32-bit Windows 7 upgrade on a rig outfitted with an AMD 64 X2 dual-core 5200+ CPU, 2GB of RAM, and a 1TB Western Digital hard drive spinning at 7,200RPM. That’s what was considered “Mid Range Hardware,” meaning my own trusty, dusty AMD 64 X2 dual-core 4000+ desktop is just about ready for retirement.
The “Super User” scenario under which the tests were run includes 650GB worth of data, 40 applications installed, modified OS settings, and 15 optional components installed. The test wasn’t even run with the same simulated user settings on the “Low End Hardware,” which consisted of an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ CPU and 1GB of RAM.
Windows 7 Upgrade Performance [TechNet Blogs via Ars Technica]