windows 8.1 or windows 7

bgant4 wrote:
Getting a new computer. Which operating SYSTEM SHOULD I get? Windows 8.1 or windows 7.

Get Windows 8.1. Then as soon as you get the computer home, download and install the free Classic Shell program from http://www.classicshell.net/

This will make Windows 8 look and operate like Windows 7, but will have the speed and security of Windows 8.

Bill

Worry about the hardware you are buying and less about the OS. Make the wrong decision on the hardware and it does not matter what the OS.
Do your homework..

If I were buying a new computer, I would get Windows 7. I've played with Windows 8.1 and it has to many "features" that aren't. They're just different to be different, or to look like a big phone or tablet. Both will be upgradeable to Windows 10 so stick with a decent OS in the meantime. Do get the fastest CPU and most memory, at least 8 gig, also an SSD for boot speed and quick all around operation.

It's your choice, both are perfectly fine OSes. As was mentioned earlier in the thread, Win 10 is slated to be released later this year and will be a free upgrade from either Win 7 or Win 8.1.

I believe you will find a wider selection of computers with Win 8.1 installed than Win 7.

At any rate, don't shy away from buying a computer you like simply because it has Win 8.1 on it.

Depends on your applications. I agree with the poster who said if you use a touchscreen, Windows 8.1 is for you. Metro tiles were made for fingers.

However, I have learned to deal with Windows 8.1 and its little idiosyncrasies on a standard PC with dual screen monitors. There is nothing wrong with Win 7 so if you are comfortable with it, go for it.

You can also get the free update (subscription) to Windows 10 when it comes out this summer no matter what.

Moved from General RVing

Hi,

I had a Mac. It was a pain. It was the most expensive laptop I've ever owned and was totally obsolete within 24 months. I had maxed out the ram and there was still not enough memory to run the one program I got it for in "real mode" so it could not be upgraded to the next apple OS. It had no modem, no disk drive, and a special docking port was needed for using a cdrom drive. It would lock up on a regular basis, requiring me to "zap the pram". If I wished to change the battery, it had to go back to the factory. I'll never willing own another Mac.

The OP should go for win 7 and probably consider transitioning to windows 10.

Altern wrote:
Neither. Do yourself a favor & buy a Mac.

Windows 10 is set to come out around June...It was created by demand from customers who want the old style of start up screen...selecting what you want to appear...yet all the current bells & whistles along with super speed & memory

Our daughter in-law got a new laptop with Win 8 a year ago. She upgraded to 8.1 but still hates the way it works. She wants to install Win 7 on it, but we have convinced her to wait for Win 10.

Regarding the end of life for Win7, here's the facts from PC World Magazine. Looks like Win 7 is good until 2020.

There was a steep learning curve jumping from W7 to W8.1, but I've just about mastered it after 6 mos. Some improvements, but also some difficulties. Part of the problem, it won't show wifi connections 100% of the time. With a reboot, it will correct itself.

DH's 2012 Apple laptop on the other hand, could never figure out where to hit the thumbpad and even hubs can't do things I do on my HP laptop.

Since, I've been using iPhones and iPads for a few years, it's kind of nice to use the touchscreen to enlarge photos or very small print.