Windows 7 (or 8) is great. Windows 10 is even better. It combines the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8 with improved security and other new, innovative features. And Microsoft is giving Windows 10 to customers as a free upgrade within the first year of its release (July 29, 2015). A few of the great new features are:

• Updated Desktop and Start Menu.
• Virtual personal assistant Cortana helps you get more done.
• Continuum optimizes the user experience for the task and the device.
• Single sign-in and identity for Windows, Office 365, and more.
• Enterprise Data Protection protects business data, wherever that data is.

There are advantages to buying new devices rather than upgrading. For instance, if your device is 4 or more years old, your device may be facing less reliability and diminished performance. A newer device lets you take advantage of touch- and pen-friendly Windows 10 and new features such as Windows Hello and the Cortana personal digital assistant require new devices or peripherals, such as face scanning hardware or a microphone.

Windows 10 tablets perform better and cost less for most business uses. For instance, with Windows you get:

• Much broader variety of form-factors and price points to meet your exact business needs.
• Seamless integration with your current infrastructure and can be managed easier and more securely than the iPad, since Windows offers you more tools to manage and secure your important business data and devices.
• Device-based, built-in multi factor authentication for every device. And users may plug in any USB device without an additional adapter or use their wireless connection. Windows works with the widest range of peripherals, including most (and typically all) of the ones you already use.

Windows 10 devices are better and less expensive than Macs. For instance, with Windows, you get:

• A much wider selection of device and price choices to match your business needs.
• Enhanced user desktop experience of Windows 10, including new features like Windows Hello, Continuum and more. Built-in personal assistant Cortana works on any Windows 10 device; Siri works only on iPhone/iPad.
• Seamless integration with your current infrastructure and easier management and device-based, built-in multi factor authentication for every device.
• Windows Line-of-Business (LOB) apps that continue to offer selection and ease of use.

• Chromebook doesn’t allow you to use the full versions of QuickBooks, or any of thousands of other essential business programs—nor can you run Microsoft Office directly on your Chromebook.
• Windows 7 applications can be used with Windows 10, including running all Microsoft Office products. Chromebooks can only run Web applications, while any Windows 10 device can also run desktop and modern apps. With a Chromebook, you have to ensure that connectivity remains constant.
• Windows 10 includes device-based, built-in multi factor authentication for every device.

• Windows Update distributes patches and updates to Windows devices in a timely and secure way. Google doesn’t have a similar tool, so most Android devices are more exposed to mobile malware and security issues.
• Windows 10 devices include hardware-level encryption with BitLocker, using industry-standard TPM. Android does not support TPM encryption. Windows 10 includes device-based, built-in multi factor authentication.
• All Windows store apps are tested for viruses and malware. Over 95% of the malware written for mobile in the last year was for Android.