Finally Making The Jump From Vista: 7 or 8?

[Auto426]

My current DTR laptop is a little over 6 years old now and I will be buying a new DTR to replace it. For a while now I simply made do with what I had and not worried about upgrading OS's as soon as the new one hits the market. My current machine came with Vista and thats what I've been using up till now.

With the new DTR, I have the option of Windows 7 or Windows 8 with no price difference between the two. I haven't had much experience with either OS, so I'm looking for some advice as to what would be the better choice.

From what I gather most do not seem to care much for Windows 8 and it's new interface, and from the videos I've seen the new UI doesn't seem like something I really want to try and learn after spending so many years with the good old start button and desktop. I've also heard that sales are pretty slow, so it would seem natural to me for MS to do something soon to either update it or replace it.

However, after spending so long being firmly stuck behind the technology curve, I would like to get up to date for once. It doesn't feel right to be buying a brand new machine and choosing to go with a previous generation operating system. I know that Windows 7 seems to be prefered at the current time, but MS has tried to replace it with 8 and I don't see them trying pulling a 180 on that any time soon.

So I'm wondering what would be the better choice at this point in time?

 

[lxskllr]

I'd go to 8. I'm not a big fan either, but it is what it is, and that's what MS is doing. I see no point in buying obsolete technology, and it's better to just rip the bandaid off instead of peeling it slowly.

 

[lakedude]

W8 if you do this stuff:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2293473


W7 if you don't want to take the time to fix something that should never have been broken.

 

[IamDavid]

Win 8.. Appstore=good.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I'd say 8 actually. You can always modify it if you don't like the interface.

 

[Maximilian]

Spend $5 on start8 and go with 8 or go with windows 7

I personally would go with 7.

 

[blankslate]

Spend $5 on start8 and go with 8 or go with windows 7


I personally would go with 7.

This. Win8 does have security enhancements over Win7 but if you aren't a total noob windows 7 should be secure enough.

There are also freeware software that does the same thing as Start 8

I've talked to a couple of people and there can be issues with Win 8 the odd game or two that involve having to get a driver other than the one win 8 thinks is best and the odd piece of software that isn't 100% compatible with win 8

 

[Mem]

I would go with Win8 infact I did(three upgrades from 7 to 8),reason being better security and its the direction Microsoft are going, you can't stay on Win7 forever and live in the past like some people want too,also you probably be able to upgrade to Windows Blue for free as well.

I'll say no issues for me in gaming and I've about 50 games installed(on Win8 x64 Pro) including some very new beta games like NeverWinter,Firefall etc...to oldies like Baldurs Gate,Icewind Dale etc with no issues(I'm a gamer and desktop user first)overall Win8 is as solid as my Win7 ever was,no driver issues either in my case.

I've talked to a couple of people and there can be issues with Win 8 the odd game or two that involve having to get a driver other than the one win 8 thinks is best and the odd piece of software that isn't 100% compatible with win 8

You can say that about any OS including Win7,do a search with Win7 and game/driver issues and you get loads of threads pop up,end of the day someone as an issue or two regardless of OS or hardware.

I'll say I had to change some of my software for Win7 when I upgraded to Win7,Win8 I only had to change one bit of software,obviously this is dependent on software and OS in question but can effect any OS etc..

 

[Auto426]

Tthe consensus is pretty strong then. I guess I will go with Windows 8 and just learn to adapt.

I would go with Win8 infact I did(three upgrades from 7 to 8),reason being better security and its the direction Microsoft are going, you can't stay on Win7 forever and live in the past like some people want too,also you probably be able to upgrade to Windows Blue for free as well.

This was really my main concern. While Windows 7 would be more familiar to me and easier to jump into, it's already a generation behind with Windows 8 out. I don't like the idea of having MS release something new later this year leaving me with a brand spanking new PC that has an OS two generations behind.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Jaskalas]

Tthe consensus is pretty strong then. I guess I will go with Windows 8 and just learn to adapt.

Or wait for 9. No reason to adapt early or frequently when you don't have to. I used WinXP til the release of 7, and I have every intention of waiting until I see a clear upgrade available.

 

[lxskllr]

Or wait for 9. No reason to adapt early or frequently when you don't have to. I used WinXP til the release of 7, and I have every intention of waiting until I see a clear upgrade available.

Yea, there's that too. I'm a fan of Vista. I'm not sure what I'd do if I ran Windows, and was unsure of upgrade. Win7 is definitely out. I probably would have gotten 8 when it was $40. For full price, I think I'd lean towards waiting for 9.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Just curious, why would you go with vista instead of 7?

Yea, there's that too. I'm a fan of Vista. I'm not sure what I'd do if I ran Windows, and was unsure of upgrade. Win7 is definitely out. I probably would have gotten 8 when it was $40. For full price, I think I'd lean towards waiting for 9.

 

[Mem]

Yea, there's that too. I'm a fan of Vista. I'm not sure what I'd do if I ran Windows, and was unsure of upgrade. Win7 is definitely out. I probably would have gotten 8 when it was $40. For full price, I think I'd lean towards waiting for 9.

I was a Vista fan too,used it from day one,Win7 was a slight improvement over Vista ie slightly faster and less UAC nagging but offered nothing really new IMHO.
I'm always one of the first to jump on a new OS when it is released for reasons I won't bore you with .

 

[lxskllr]

Just curious, why would you go with vista instead of 7?

I was going from the perspective of someone who's running Vista already. IMO, Vista is pretty good, and 7 is already obsolete. That being the case, Vista is already paid for, so prolonging the upgrade lets me keep the classic Windows experience, and save some money.

It doesn't exactly pertain to the OP. I was taking off from Jaskalas' comment.

 

[BigToque]

If you go with Windows 8, it comes with downgrade rights to 7, and it sounds like it's possible that if you have 8, you might be able to get an upgrade to 9 for free when it gets released (no idea if there's any truth to that rumor, but it's a possibility at least).

 

[Auto426]

I went ahead and ordered the machine I was looking at tonight: a new Alienware M17x. I chose to go with Windows 8 over Windows 7 hoping that if MS does release their new OS soon the upgrade will be free. I think I remember seeing them doing the same for new Windows 7 users when 8 came out, so hopefully they continue that policy with their new OS.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I see, that makes sense then.

I was going from the perspective of someone who's running Vista already. IMO, Vista is pretty good, and 7 is already obsolete. That being the case, Vista is already paid for, so prolonging the upgrade lets me keep the classic Windows experience, and save some money.

It doesn't exactly pertain to the OP. I was taking off from Jaskalas' comment.

 

[Matt1970]

I went ahead and ordered the machine I was looking at tonight: a new Alienware M17x. I chose to go with Windows 8 over Windows 7 hoping that if MS does release their new OS soon the upgrade will be free. I think I remember seeing them doing the same for new Windows 7 users when 8 came out, so hopefully they continue that policy with their new OS.

That would be a first.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

From what i've read so far the new "Windows Blue" will be offered as a free update to Win8 users but I guess we won't know for sure until they officially announce it.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

I bought a laptop several years ago when Vista had just come out. Even though I was nervous because of all the reports that Vista sucked, I decided to go with it instead of XP for many of the same reasons people here are saying to go with Win 8 -- it was newer, supposedly had better security, and I wanted to stay "current" with my OS.

I've regretted it ever since.

There are reasons to go with Win 8, but I wouldn't make the decision based solely (or even primarily) on just wanting to have the latest version.

 

[Gintaras]

I bought a laptop several years ago when Vista had just come out. Even though I was nervous because of all the reports that Vista sucked, I decided to go with it instead of XP for many of the same reasons people here are saying to go with Win 8 -- it was newer, supposedly had better security, and I wanted to stay "current" with my OS.

I've regretted it ever since.

There are reasons to go with Win 8, but I wouldn't make the decision based solely (or even primarily) on just wanting to have the latest version.

I do fully understand you...Same here...Win2000/ WinXP was best ever OS MS made...now, going downhill...
When buying a laptop or prebuild PC, you're FORCED to take it...
When Vista came out, people were furious about, because a lot of hardware drivers weren't available, a lot of older software would not install/work under Vista...
Some kind of conspiracy? Buy new Win OS - you have to buy new hardware - printers..etc, new software...because older is not supported, no driver support, no older software works...GIVE US YOUR MONEY - WE WANT YOUR MONEY...if you want to have newer PC with newer OS.

I just bought a new laptop with Win8 preinstalled. I don't own iPod or iPhone...
Win8 - target for people who use iPhones, iPods...

My Win8 desktop:

Someone suggested to spend $5 to get that, but no needed to spend $5 to get regular Win8 desktop. (free)Classic Shell does that.

Now, some warning to those, who want to buy a laptop(or desktop) with preinstalled Win8.
Some computer manufacturers won't give you option to create Restore DVDs on 1st boot, neither they will give you for free Recovery Discs.

All Recovery might be stored on some partition on HDD, but what happens, if you would like to upgrade your HDD or install SSD? Lenovo, asked me $60, but they didn't get(I offered them - Lenovo, instead to listen to Steve Vai song: "F**k Yourself).

If I wanted to change HDD(what I did) or to install SSD, I was left without OS that I've already paid. Lenovo staff offered me to buy OS for the 2nd time - to get Recovery Discs: $60...

I've heard, that some other computer manufacturers do the same.

Good thing: Win8 Key is in the BIOS of laptops(maybe desktops) with Win8 preinstalled.

Solution for those, who don't get Recovery Discs shipped with computer they've purchased and have no option on 1st boot to burn Recovery Discs and want to upgrade HDD or install SSD:

Any retail Win8(same version) would install without even asking for the key(since it's in BIOS and Win8 will use that key)...So, if you'll need to reinstall Win8 and deceide to borrow Win8 DVD from a friend, it won't do any damages to your fiends Win8 borrowed DVD ...Win8 on your computer will be activated under the Win8 Key that's in computer BIOS...

What do I like about Win8, after pushing power button, to the screen as on above picture it gets in about 15-20 seconds, after turning of Shut-Down, screen goes black in about 2 seconds and all light(power button, hdd light) in about same - 20 seconds...

 

[xXdragonbatXX]

7 7 7 7 7 7. Windows 8 sucks.

 

[blankslate]

You can say that about any OS including Win7,do a search with Win7 and game/driver issues and you get loads of threads pop up,end of the day someone as an issue or two regardless of OS or hardware.

While this is true a person looking to move to a new operating system should do a search and see if any particular piece of software they cannot live without and haven't found a substitute for runs well in the operating system they are looking at upgrading to.

There's nothing wrong with a helpful reminder about it... is there?

 

[daveybrat]

Windows 8 is fine with Start8 installed, but a PITA without it. I'd go 8 with Start8 personally, or at least Classic Shell (free) if you can't afford the $4.99 price tag.

Also, if you go Windows 8, there is no Media Player any longer, so make sure you install VLC Player which will give you full DVD and media playback functionality.

 

[Mem]

While this is true a person looking to move to a new operating system should do a search and see if any particular piece of software they cannot live without and haven't found a substitute for runs well in the operating system they are looking at upgrading to.

There's nothing wrong with a helpful reminder about it... is there?

Obviously not,btw you can download Win8 compatibility checker here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 ,I only had one program that I had to uninstall,actually it was two(Anti-virus as well).