So, I tried out 
Microsoft Windows 7 over the Thanksgiving holiday, and I’ve got a few issues with it. First, it really smells like Vista. This thing really does just seem to be Vista with a little bit of refinement.
I decided to try the 64-bit version. I have six gig of RAM in my box, and I’ve really been wanting to get to use it all. However, Win7 64-bit is only able to use 5.5 gig of it. Not sure why that is yet. Anyway, so, at least I have an additional 2 gig of RAM that is usable. I installed Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and figured out how to transfer my develop presets over, and I must say, it does run quite well. Adobe actually has a 64-bit version of Lightroom that installed automatically when it detected my OS was 64-bit. I’m pleased with this, but I need to do some empirical testing to see if it is really faster and by how much.
So, the problems (other than throwing away half a gig of RAM for no apparent reason) begin with drivers. First, my webcam, a Hecules with traveling zoom feature, won’t work. Some research indicates that I’ll need to find a Vista driver and install that under compatibility mode. Fortunately, I have an extra webcam, and a better one at that, so I’ll just switch to that (should have done it already but have just been lazy).
The next problem — and probably a deal breaker for now — my TV tuner card (Hauppauge PVR-150) doesn’t work. First it didn’t work at all. But after I ran Windows Update, it put in a driver for the card. With the new driver installed, the video and sound are stuttering. Also, the video is pixelated when it is running. Sometimes, the card fails to run at all. After some research, I found out that the card is only supposed to work in a machine if you have no more than 4 gig of RAM. GRRRRRRRR! The main reason I wanted to switch to 64-bit was to use more RAM. So, now I have to look for a decent TV tuner card that actually works on 64-bit Windows 7. After reading some information on Tom’s Hardware, I have ordered a new tuner card that is purported to work with the extra RAM installed.
If I can resolve this one issue with the tuner card and if my other webcam works, I’ll switch over to Win7 as my main OS. For now, I’ll continue to boot my box under good old Windows XP.
David is an IT professional with over 26 years of experience (he started his career as a teenager). He has programmed in more languages and on more types of computers (and similar devices) than he can remember, including TRS-80 Model I Level 2, Commodore Vic-20 and C-64, C-128, Industrial Process Controllers, CP/M machines, and Intel 80x86+ architectures. He currently uses Microsoft .NET Framework tools and SQL Server.
When he's not geeking out, he studies the Martial Art, Aikido; engages in community volunteer work; writes fiction (as well as non-fiction blogs); and does home rennovation work.
He lives in Charlotte NC, USA. 
Just an update. After replacing my TV tuner with a card that was purported to work with Windows 7 (x64) and then switching over to a Logitech webcam, I’ve got everything working that I’ve tested so far. Still have an old scanner (questionable) and an old laser printer (shouldn’t be a problem) to configure but everything else is fine now. The extra RAM is wonderful and I’m slowly getting used to the GUI. “Pin to taskbar” is a great feature and really helps with space utilization compared to older Windows versions.
Another update: An old Microtek scanner that I have wouldn’t work and there’s no chance the drivers will be updated to x64 (though they did update them to work with Vista x86). Windows XP mode to the rescue! I downloaded and installed this option and can now run the scanner in the virtual XP mode. So far, I’m still liking Windows 7 and have not booted back into my old XP x86 install in awhile now.