Buying a new PC- Windows 7 or 8?

[KGs Knee]

So, I'm looking to buy a new PC but am having a hard time deciding whether to get windows 7 or 8.  This will be a desktop computer I will be buying.

I have been using vista for the last 4+ years now, and while it's obviously not great, I've gotten rather used to it.

On one hand I like how windows 8 is very compatible with laptops/mobile devices, but have heard many bad things about it as it pertains to desktop use.  Windows 7, which I have used some, seems similar to vista, just much better.

I'd appreciate any feedback from those who have experience with either or both.

Thanks.

[badshar]

Never thought that I'd be answering such a question on this boards, because it is all about the Celtics.

Well, I am a huge computer guy and can tell you all about it.

I say go with Windows 8. Sure there is a lot of criticism for Windows 8, but here is the deal. Stay with the latest. Sooner than later, Windows 7 will become outdated as Microsoft shifts all its focus onto Windows 8.

Its better to stay with the generation than to get something that is good now but will become outdated soon.

I have experience with both. I was a beta-tester for Windows 7 and currently run it on a machine that came pre-installed with it. I also was one of the beta-testers for Windows 8.

From what I experienced, Windows 8 has improved a lot on functionality. Boot time is literally like 8 seconds. It makes you wonder what was Windows 7 doing all that time when it was booting up. The compatibility is nice and as I said before, you get to stay with the latest tech, which has better support than old tech (which Windows 7 will become soon).

Ask me any question and I will try to answer it.

[GreenFaith1819]

I just got a desktop with Windows 8.

After using Vista (loved it) and 7 a bit, it has taken some time to get used to 8.

8 is not that bad at all...it just takes some time to get used to.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Windows 7 is a great operating system, I personally like it more than Windows 8.

That said, Windows 8 is lighter, boots up quicker, etc. First thing i did was install Classic Shell http://www.classicshell.net/ to restore the start menu, and to skip the metro crap on start-up.

I'm a power user though, and there are a couple of useful tools that Windows 8 eliminated that p--- me off, but other than that I'm not having much problems with it... any glitches will surely be fixed once the usual major SP1 update comes along.

Vista was a horrible OS in my opinion, so upgrading from that is a plus in my book no matter what choice you make. Considering that you're still a Vista guy, I say you should just jump straight to Windows 8.

I'm currently using Windows 8, and I'm keeping it.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Never thought that I'd be answering such a question on this boards, because it is all about the Celtics.

Well, I am a huge computer guy and can tell you all about it.

I say go with Windows 8. Sure there is a lot of criticism for Windows 8, but here is the deal. Stay with the latest. Sooner than later, Windows 7 will become outdated as Microsoft shifts all its focus onto Windows 8.

Its better to stay with the generation than to get something that is good now but will become outdated soon.

I have experience with both. I was a beta-tester for Windows 7 and currently run it on a machine that came pre-installed with it. I also was one of the beta-testers for Windows 8.

From what I experienced, Windows 8 has improved a lot on functionality. Boot time is literally like 8 seconds. It makes you wonder what was Windows 7 doing all that time when it was booting up. The compatibility is nice and as I said before, you get to stay with the latest tech, which has better support than old tech (which Windows 7 will become soon).

Ask me any question and I will try to answer it.

I don't think Windows 7 is going to become obsolete any time soon, particular since Windows 8 is not an OS that's conductive for the office environment, so until Windows 8 can make that leap (not sure how/when they're going to do it without forcing Metro down everyone's throats as they've been trying to do), I just don't see Windows 7 going away any time soon.

[lightspeed5]

windows 8 does everything better. it boots up super fast. apps in the metro start screen open super quick.

I would suggest getting a surface or surface pro

[BudweiserCeltic]

windows 8 does everything better. it boots up super fast. apps in the metro start screen open super quick.

I would suggest getting a surface or surface pro

I disagree with getting Surface, in fact I'd avoid it, but the OP is looking for a desktop. As for Ultrabook, I've played around with the Lenovo Yoga 13 and it's the one to get in my opinion if one wants to go on that route.

The important thing is to get a solid state drive for where you install your OS, those things are awesome.

[badshar]

Never thought that I'd be answering such a question on this boards, because it is all about the Celtics.

Well, I am a huge computer guy and can tell you all about it.

I say go with Windows 8. Sure there is a lot of criticism for Windows 8, but here is the deal. Stay with the latest. Sooner than later, Windows 7 will become outdated as Microsoft shifts all its focus onto Windows 8.

Its better to stay with the generation than to get something that is good now but will become outdated soon.

I have experience with both. I was a beta-tester for Windows 7 and currently run it on a machine that came pre-installed with it. I also was one of the beta-testers for Windows 8.

From what I experienced, Windows 8 has improved a lot on functionality. Boot time is literally like 8 seconds. It makes you wonder what was Windows 7 doing all that time when it was booting up. The compatibility is nice and as I said before, you get to stay with the latest tech, which has better support than old tech (which Windows 7 will become soon).

Ask me any question and I will try to answer it.

I don't think Windows 7 is going to become obsolete any time soon, particular since Windows 8 is not an OS that's conductive for the office environment, so until Windows 8 can make that leap (not sure how/when they're going to do it without forcing Metro down everyone's throats as they've been trying to do), I just don't see Windows 7 going away any time soon.

Actually, it happens to be that Windows 8 has sold much of its licenses to workplaces and offices. Hehe. They forced aero and a whole new appearance on people when they introduced Vista. Plus, they went crazy trying to get people let go of XP and upgrade because people just wouldn't. I see the same happening for 7. People are going to be stupid and not switch to Windows 8 just because they heard bad reviews. Its not until you actually try it that you figure out its a great OS.

[KGs Knee]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

There's a few reasons I'm looking to purchase a new PC, mostly cnetered around the fact I started going back to school last semester.  I took a hybrid course last semester, and it was complete pain in the butt on my (now) rather slow laptop.  Also, one of the classes I'm currently in, as well as some future classes, require me to have MS Office and a few other software applications.  Since I get a discount on Office 365 ($79.99 for 4 year subscription), I figured I'd buy that since I don't even have MS Office currently (I run Open Office on my personal PC).  The problem is, 365 won't run on Vista.

Secondly, I'm going to need to upgrade my laptop soon.  Since I haven't had a desktop in a number of years, but need to uprgrade to one. I figured it might be best to purchase a desktop now, and then get a tablet/laptop combo later.

I guess the main hang-up for me is the entirely different experience Windows 8 is.  The whole "not having a start menu" bafles me.

[GreenFaith1819]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

There's a few reasons I'm looking to purchase a new PC, mostly cnetered around the fact I started going back to school last semester.  I took a hybrid course last semester, and it was complete pain in the butt on my (now) rather slow laptop.  Also, one of the classes I'm currently in, as well as some future classes, require me to have MS Office and a few other software applications.  Since I get a discount on Office 365 ($79.99 for 4 year subscription), I figured I'd buy that since I don't even have MS Office currently (I run Open Office on my personal PC).  The problem is, 365 won't run on Vista.

Secondly, I'm going to need to upgrade my laptop soon.  Since I haven't had a desktop in a number of years, but need to uprgrade to one. I figured it might be best to purchase a desktop now, and then get a tablet/laptop combo later.

I guess the main hang-up for me is the entirely different experience Windows 8 is.  The whole "not having a start menu" bafles me.

That was a bit strange for me, too.

I've gotten used to just moving my cursor down to the lower right corner of the screen, though (with W8).

Do that, and it brings up the Start Menu, Settings, Devices, and such.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

There's a few reasons I'm looking to purchase a new PC, mostly cnetered around the fact I started going back to school last semester.  I took a hybrid course last semester, and it was complete pain in the butt on my (now) rather slow laptop.  Also, one of the classes I'm currently in, as well as some future classes, require me to have MS Office and a few other software applications.  Since I get a discount on Office 365 ($79.99 for 4 year subscription), I figured I'd buy that since I don't even have MS Office currently (I run Open Office on my personal PC).  The problem is, 365 won't run on Vista.

Secondly, I'm going to need to upgrade my laptop soon.  Since I haven't had a desktop in a number of years, but need to uprgrade to one. I figured it might be best to purchase a desktop now, and then get a tablet/laptop combo later.

I guess the main hang-up for me is the entirely different experience Windows 8 is.  The whole "not having a start menu" bafles me.

As mentioned, install http://www.classicshell.net/ and you'll be good to go. Not having a start menu is not a good enough reason to not use Windows 8, there are ways around that.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Never thought that I'd be answering such a question on this boards, because it is all about the Celtics.

Well, I am a huge computer guy and can tell you all about it.

I say go with Windows 8. Sure there is a lot of criticism for Windows 8, but here is the deal. Stay with the latest. Sooner than later, Windows 7 will become outdated as Microsoft shifts all its focus onto Windows 8.

Its better to stay with the generation than to get something that is good now but will become outdated soon.

I have experience with both. I was a beta-tester for Windows 7 and currently run it on a machine that came pre-installed with it. I also was one of the beta-testers for Windows 8.

From what I experienced, Windows 8 has improved a lot on functionality. Boot time is literally like 8 seconds. It makes you wonder what was Windows 7 doing all that time when it was booting up. The compatibility is nice and as I said before, you get to stay with the latest tech, which has better support than old tech (which Windows 7 will become soon).

Ask me any question and I will try to answer it.

I don't think Windows 7 is going to become obsolete any time soon, particular since Windows 8 is not an OS that's conductive for the office environment, so until Windows 8 can make that leap (not sure how/when they're going to do it without forcing Metro down everyone's throats as they've been trying to do), I just don't see Windows 7 going away any time soon.

Actually, it happens to be that Windows 8 has sold much of its licenses to workplaces and offices. Hehe. They forced aero and a whole new appearance on people when they introduced Vista. Plus, they went crazy trying to get people let go of XP and upgrade because people just wouldn't. I see the same happening for 7. People are going to be stupid and not switch to Windows 8 just because they heard bad reviews. Its not until you actually try it that you figure out its a great OS.

It wouldn't surprise me if that was the case, but it's still not a good OS to have in a work environment. It's not intuitive for low tech users. I would think the salesforce of a company wouldn't mind Windows 8.

And Windows 8 is a good OS, more so when you tweak it to your taste and restore some functions that I have no clue why Microsoft is so bent on removing.

But as far as functionality, Windows 7 is still the superior one. Windows does boot up quicker and has better response time overall, but I lament the loss of some functions, and I would think many power users would too. And now that you have SSD's, I wonder if boot time is that much of an issue.

[KGs Knee]

Again, thanks folks.

It's good to hear there are actual Windows 8 users out there that actually like it (well enough anyways), and can say the functionality of it is up to par.

Heck, my former (recent) workplace still uses XP. 

[EnJoY]

I work in IT (networkcoverage.com) and I have used many systems now with Windows 8.  As an avid Windows user since 95, I cannot stand the changes that MS has made to the interface and where things are located.  It's entirely counter-intuitive for use with a mouse and keyboard.

I would avoid Win8 like the plague.

[beklog]

As an it analyst for more than a decade, we highly believe Windows OS is a bad-good-bad-good pattern

Win 98 - Good
Win ME - Worst
Win XP - Great
Win Vista - Bad
Win 7 - Good
Win 8 -