Should I run Windows 7 as Primary?

I'm sure this question has been asked a billion times but I just want to throw out my needs and get some feedback. I just watched a video of some of the new features and workflow-wise they look fantastic. Here's what I do on a daily basis:

1.) Develop software

I use Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008, etc. These tools NEED to work properly. Since they're Microsoft I'm assuming I'm in good hands here.

2.) Some gaming

Not necessarily a deal breaker, but I would like to be able to play TF2 and L4D.

Can anyone comment on these two areas? Possibly give some insight to the stability of the RC? Thank you!

 

i'd suggest vista instead. workflow wise i don't really see much gains from win7 (and much losses), and i can, anyways, never suggest anyone to use a beta os as it's primary os.

but you can do so if you want.

 

If you have critical apps that need to function without issue, don't bother with Windows 7 as your primary. It is beta software, regardless of how stable it seems. It still has glitches.

And you'll have to reinstall all your stuff once the RTM is out since from what I'm reading is that you can't "upgrade" from a release candidate to a salable version.

 

I really love Windows 7...I am even using it as my primary OS at work and it runs all the neccessary programs that I need fine...but for those applications you mention you should be safe and use a stable OS; either Windows XP or Server 2003/2008. What's .Vista?

 

I am currently running Win7 as primary on my mac for gaming until my other laptop gets here ;x

 

I can confirm Visual studio and SQL server works great.
I didn't try TF2 but L4D works fine too.

I can't really tell if you should run it as a primary OS, all I can say is that I'm running it as my primary windows OS for the exact same usage and I'm entirely satisfied and didn't experience any bugs. I must say that I spend a lot of time in remote sessions on other OS though apart from when I use the software you mentionned

 

Great feedback guys.

Although Windows 7 sounds really good, it is still beta. I'll hold off for now as I have critical applications that I need to run.

Thanks!

 

No. Do not use it as your primary OS! You do not know when that one critical program you need doesn't function like its supposed to or not at all because of incompatibilities and then you're in a world of pain having to reinstall vista and all those tools again.

Just wait til the OS comes out, give it a year for them to sort out any problems (a la SP1) and then you can get it, just in time and anticipation for Windows 8

 

I can confirm that Visual Studio 2008 w SP1 and SQL Server 2008 w SP1 both works fine on Windows 7 for production level software development. I've been working with them ever since build 7000 and they have been fine.