Windows 7 is the smooth, reliable, and twice as fast as XP. Use the 64 bit version to utilize more then 2 gig of RAM. Once you use it XP will be a distant memory. You will NEVER look back. Good luck. http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=182545&perpage=6&pagenumber=1
I've recently replaced my trading computer too. I bought an HP Laptop with windows 7 64-bit installed about a week ago. I've been pleasantly surprised by how problem-free it has been. It's been a mutch better experience than Vista 64. Interactive Broker's TWS and the TWS API seemed to install just fine without a hitch. I installed "vsredist_x86" and "vjredist" before I installed TWS and the TWS API. I don't remember exactly what these files were for, but I needed them to get the TWS API to work in Vista 64-bit, so I thought I'd install them first to be on the safe-side. I have no idea if this was actually necessary.
How smooth is the upgrade from Vista 64 Bit to Windows 7 using the UPGRADE disc, is this asking for trouble, or should I remove everything and do a clean install of Windows 7?
I would. To add to that I would clone the HD after with Acronis or the like. So if you have an issue with any OS quick fix. From practical experience any windows OS used often and with many programs gets a number of registry issues after about 12 months, reformat and all is good.
On my laptop I run Windows 7 64-bit with NinjaTrader 6.5 and it runs well. I have an Intel P8700 2.53GHz Core2 Duo with 6GB of RAM.