What a difference a little style makes. If you compare the hype surrounding the release of Microsoft’s Windows 7 with that of Apple’s most recent gadget line, you’d think someone had died.

Gartner group is calling the new operating system “all but inevitable.” Sounds kind of like the flu.

Here is a sampling of the words that have been used to describe Windows 7: “much better”; “less prone to unexpected delays”; its impact on PC sales “won’t be huge”; and there are “good things to be had” with the new OS.

Sheesh.

In an opinion piece in Tuesday’s New York Times, Robert Cyran and Una Galani write that “if the key to happiness is low expectations, then Microsoft’s customers and investors have it in spades.”

Despite the expectation of underachievement, Microsoft could still end up a winner. The new operating system is an improvement over Vista, and many businesses are due for hardware and OS upgrades. (According to the article, roughly four-fifths of PCs use Windows XP or older operating systems.)

Once companies upgrade and become familiar with 7 (and the new Office suite), they will want new machines, and more Windows 7. Who says losers finish last?

Over at ZDNet, Mary-Jo Foley reports that the revered Gartner group is calling the new operating system “all but inevitable.” Sounds kind of like the flu.

Recap: It’s an improvement over Vista, and it’s unavoidable.

What next?

You can begin deploying, or get ready to think about deploying. If you already migrated to Vista, your costs will not be as high for the final jump to 7. If you’ve bypassed Vista completely, you will face a potentially pricey learning curve – with the new operating system itself, and with the radically redesigned Office 2007 suite.

Don’t listen to the myths and go it alone. Call in a migration partner.

(Be sure to check back tomorrow to download our Windows 7 and Office 2007 migration readiness kit. It’s free.)

FIND MORE INFO IN: Office 2007 Migration Checklist + Tools | Migration Case Study (.pdf) | PC Helps eTraining | Desktop Application Support | Contact PC Helps

Jenny Sweeney Office 2007, Windows 7 Apple, Gartner, key to happiness, New York Times, XP, ZDNet