What to buy to replace XP?

Why not just get a chromebook, they start at 200 and go up.

I've actually got used to WIN 8 Live Tiles. Also, not one who elected to install Classic Shell. In fact, I like the new WIN 8 App layout better. For me, it was the cumbersome way Microsoft choose for users to quickly access their programs and system apps in WIN 8 that was the issue.

Personally, I just created a shortcut pinned to the WIN 8 Desktop Taskbar. One-click takes me to My Apps(Programs). Just takes a few minutes to create, though I chose a custom icon to use.

docj wrote:
So instead of finding the program I want by clicking on those I have pinned to the Task Bar, I have to search for the correct tile

Not so, Win 8 still allows you to pin programs to the Task Bar just as with Win 7.

docj wrote:
Oh, and I also got stupid ACTIVE TILES like the one that randomly displays any of the thousands of photos I have on my computer or the one that gives me news headlines that I can't tailor to my interests!

I also don't care for the Live tiles but some people do. It's very easy to turn off or remove from the Start screen any Live tile you don't want.

docj wrote:
I won't even do more than mention the apps I can download which provide less functionality than the programs or websites they represent--that's real progress.

Agree with you here, I don't care for Metro style apps that come from the store so I choose not to use them. Nice to have choices.

docj wrote:
So, I'll keep Classic Shell and run Windows 8 from the Desktop.

Thankfully, Classic Shell is not needed to run Win 8 from the Desktop.

BTW, here's a link to a video from MS talking about the changes coming in Win 8.1, it's interesting that there is no mention of the Start button or the ability to boot direct to the Desktop. First look at Windows 8.1

All Windows 8 does as far as I can tell is replace my START button and menu with a bunch of little tiles strewn across my screen. So instead of finding the program I want by clicking on those I have pinned to the Task Bar, I have to search for the correct tile (I realize I can move them around, but why do I need so many of them?). Oh, and I also got stupid ACTIVE TILES like the one that randomly displays any of the thousands of photos I have on my computer or the one that gives me news headlines that I can't tailor to my interests! All very helpful. I won't even do more than mention the apps I can download which provide less functionality than the programs or websites they represent--that's real progress.

So, I'll keep Classic Shell and run Windows 8 from the Desktop. If Microsoft tries to take that away from me they'll have to pry my cold, dead fingers off the keyboard first! :)

strollin wrote:
We're all different. I've been using Win 8 since the first preview and have never felt the need to install something like Classic Shell as I don't see where it actually adds any additional functionality. If I were to run into issues, it would be at the top of my suspect list.

i think so too. w8 is a tight piece of software on first impressions, so i would try to get used to it as is.

not enoughhas been said about its under the hood quality

We're all different. I've been using Win 8 since the first preview and have never felt the need to install something like Classic Shell as I don't see where it actually adds any additional functionality. If I were to run into issues, it would be at the top of my suspect list.

strollin wrote:

burlmart wrote:
... Reload her saved data and voila a better than new machine. ...

You're making a big assumption that nothing is actually wrong with the machine and all that it needs is a good tuneup. You might be right but we don't have any way of knowing that.

It's also doubtful that the machine would be "better than new".

i mean when her pc was new

no need for her to do a boxy desktop when a cheap dell w/ win8 offers all the same power for less. martha uses w8 on a $280 dell; says it is often frustrating, but is still giving it a chance before making it look like xp. she used the gateway laptop w/ xp before.

show her this vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0L4Cte56tc

Still running XP on the desktop in the house but just picked up a Windows 7 netbook for me while camping. So far its great..Windows 8 does not appeal to me. For our smart phones and the DW ipad touch screens are fine but for a desktop, not so sure!! Might be time for an Apple Mack!!!

Replace it with a Mac.
Life got a lot simpler and more reliable when I did.