Don't know what to do! Windows 8 or Windows 7 and get like windows 8 disc for £14.99

[Tiger Feet]

I am really close to purchasing my new computer but I just wanted some opinions thrown out on this subject.

Should I just go ahead and have Windows 8 installed by PC Specialist within the purchase or should I go for Windows 7 and get the windows 8 DVD for £14.99 so that I can install it myself whenever I want?

What is the general consensus on this? I like Windows 7 and know how it works. Because Windows 8 is now out, should one just go with it or wait untill the market stabilises and hear other people's reactions on the new operating system?

Many replies will give me the sense of gauging what would be the best course of action.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wozza63]

You would probably need to decide on whether or not you like the metro interface on a desktop, I like the design but I do not think its supposed to be on a PC, although looks great on phone and tablets

Of course W8 will also be faster if that's a deciding factor

 

[Tiger Feet]

You would probably need to decide on whether or not you like the metro interface on a desktop, I like the design but I do not think its supposed to be on a PC, although looks great on phone and tablets

Of course W8 will also be faster if that's a deciding factor

Thanks for your response Wozza. I know it doesn't make much difference with the comment you made but I am purchasing a laptop not a desktop. So are you sitting on the fence regarding your choice at the moment as am I also?

 

[Wozza63]

Ok although the laptop part doesn't change it much, unless it had a touch screen, the reason i dont like it is because i think it is designed for touch screens and desktops shouldn't use touch screens imo, I couldnt imagine leaning forward all the time to use my computer

I am on the fence but probably won't bother upgrading, because as far as Windows goes, they run on a one good one bad schedule
XP - Good
Vista - BAAAAD
7 - Good
8 - Most likely bad

This goes further back as well so chances are, its going to suck

 

[Koronaris]

I've just tried Win8 a few days ago on my PC, my reaction was- don't really like it. I think it more suits for tablets and smartphones, but not for PC.
But I've got a feeling the core is still Win7 just in different wrapping.
I would personally suggest to go for Win7 and get Win8 for £15 (not a big money really) if you wanna try it, but in case you don't like it you can come back to Win7 anytime.
And I agree with Wozza365, just to add
Win98 good
Win 2000/Millenium bad
WinXP good
Win Vista BAAD
Win7 good
Win8 ???

 

[basher77]

From what I've seen if you get windows 7 home premium and then pay the £14.99 for windows 8 you get windows 8 professional. So buying windows 7 home premium then upgrading for £14.99 is cheaper than buying Windows 8 Professional.
That's what I'm going to do so then can always go back to 7 if I want as well.
Hope this helps.

 

[Tiger Feet]

So the general consensus is to go for Win 7 and get Win 8 separately.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who has actually purchased Win 8 and is using it. What is their verdict on the new OS and what differences have they found between Win 8 and Win 7?

Cheers

 

[basher77]

Well I'll let you know when I get the upgrade on the 26th when windows 8 is released. You could always try a virtual machine on release preview to get the feel of it.

 

[SmokeDarKnight]

I've never had any problems with Windows 7, i like its interface it does what its supposed too, I'm running Widows 8 on my desktop as it doesnt have an opperationg system with it so im in the market to buy one and although i have no problems with it i just dont see it bringing any benifit at all.

I see star dock have just released an add on for windows 8 which allows you to start up windows 8 with default desktop with start menu etc essentially turning it more into windows 7. Click Here Start 8 $4.99
This leads me to the oppinion of if its not broke why fix it. If i get windows 8 im just going to be modding it to turn it into windows 7, i might as well just buy windows 7.

 

[mdwh]

Windows 8 still supports the same UI as before, though also has in additional a full screen mode that is optimised for touch-screens. How well it works for keyboard/touchpads seems to be a matter of opinion, but even if you don't like it, the same old software you've always liked will continue to work in the same way.

Whilst a lot of the focus is on the new UI, there are improvements that are nothing to do with touch. E.g., see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8#New_and_changed_features , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_8 . Nothing revolutionary, but nonetheless new features.

I've used it on a laptop. I like it on the whole - I still use the same UI as with Windows 7. The new start menu I prefer. I like being able to sign in with an online account (similar to Android) which makes networking a lot easier (Windows 7 already has the ability to associate an account with a LiveID, but Windows 8 makes makes the LiveID the account you use in the first place - though you can still use the traditional user/password if you prefer). Built in things like news and weather seem a nice touch.

In terms of making a decision, I wouldn't fuss over it - if you get Windows 7, it's not too much to upgrade.

I am on the fence but probably won't bother upgrading, because as far as Windows goes, they run on a one good one bad schedule
XP - Good
Vista - BAAAAD
7 - Good
8 - Most likely bad

This goes further back as well so chances are, its going to suck

Win98 good
Win 2000/Millenium bad
WinXP good
Win Vista BAAD
Win7 good
Win8 ???

Aside from this being rather poor logic anyway, it isn't true. This would suggest 2000 is bad, which wasn't true (Me was a separate OS line, so 2000 was the earlier one to XP, not Me).

There's also some history revisionism too, in that when XP came out, all the geeks were saying they it was bad as it offered nothing over 2000, and just had annoying features that they had to turn off. I find it amusing that XP is now hailed as being something good. (In practice, people had to switch from 2000 to XP due to driver support, and I think it was more consumer friendly, but either way, the point is it was hated when it first appeared, but years later is loved.)

The real pattern I think is that new Windows versions, especially those with major changes, are first disliked, but people then get used to it, and later love it. Part of this is also that MS releases updates to refine the new features. Another issue is that often software may be incompatible with new changes - e.g., with Vista we had the improved security model and 64-bit-ness causing problems. Vista and Windows 7 at first seem an exception - but not if you consider that Vista had a rather short lifespan, and Windows 7 can be viewed as an update to Vista. With Windows 7, MS fixed the problems with Vista, but they never backed off of the changes they introduced.

If a similar pattern occurs with Windows 8, then we'll see people moaning about it, people will use it anyway, MS will make some tweaks/refinements with service packs which will make most people comfortable, and in 10 years' time, Windows 8 could end up listed as "Good" on a "every other Windows is bad" rule

I don't like the idea that everything should switch to touch-only UIs - though I would hope that the current Windows "desktop"/windowed mode will only be dropped, if ever, when the new UI is refined enough to offer the best of both worlds.

 

[Ninjax]

for gamers , I would say stick with win7 , if u like hassles and love to solve software problems go with win8 , he he he , ( i know my bad)

 

[Ninjax]

from wot I hear, a lot of ppl think win7 will be the new "winxp" in terms of longevity , there are huge doubts whether
microsoft will be able to produce something as good as win7 for the years to come , (5yrs or so from now)
or will they continue to try to emulate tablets,etc......

 

[Koronaris]

Aside from this being rather poor logic anyway, it isn't true. This would suggest 2000 is bad, which wasn't true (Me was a separate OS line, so 2000 was the earlier one to XP, not Me).

There was no logic, I've just guessed putting the facts together, so I didn't rate Win8 in the list putting "???" across.
I don't know about the others, so I can't speak for all the people around the world, assuming you can't do either, but I remember I'd personally swithched to XP from Win98, but not from 2000 which I tried anyway. And I found XP much better to work with the drivers and overall it was more user friendly. But you're right in the one thing, I remember when first time I needed to switch to XP, I said it is bad and didn't like it, could I know later...
Talking about Win8, I'm pretty sure some people love it. But again as for me personally I didn't find any benefits at the moment comparing with Win7 (only the price). And also as a smartphone user I sticked to Android anyway.
Another thought... Microsoft now pushing Win8 and many new PC/Laptops will be supplied with Win8 preinstalled, so many new PC users will try Win8 and will never try Win7 considering it as the step backward (which in fact it is), so obviously more chance to love Win8.
We always hope the new is better than the old, but in practice it is not always true.
It's a personal decision for everybody how to spend their money and what to go for, as for me- I'm still testing Win8, but my main OS is still Win7.:yes:

 

[rickne]

I have faith 8 will be fine but not right away. I'd wait till service pack 1 but by all means pick up a £14.99 CD key and hold on to it.

 

[eoinzy]

By the way, it should be noted that this £14.99 thing only entitles you to an upgrade on the version of Windows 7 you have installed. From what I heard, you can only do an upgrade, and not a fresh install, hence the cheapness. That would annoy me.

Maybe someone can confirm this?

 

[basher77]

I think you can fresh install just like you can fresh install with a windows 7 upgrade disc. And if that doesn't work you can always fresh install 7 then install 8. I'm going to try a fresh install when i get it (hopefully on friday) so will let you know.

Ps I think the upgrade nature of it just means you need the licence key of the previous os

 

[vanthus]

I've tried for hours now to find the answer to some of the questions about windows 8 upgrade,but either due to my limited brain cells, or there just isn't a straight answer from microsoft to some of the questions (nothing new there)I cant find definite answers,this is how I read it,feel free to correct me.
Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro will be available to purchase as standalone upgrades in retail stores and online. The physical upgrade pack for Windows 8 Pro is already available for pre-order for around £49. Microsoft has said that users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro online on Oct. 26 for $40 around £25 (remains to be seen come friday). People who purchased a Windows 7 device (OEM) between June 2, 2012 and Jan. 3, 2013 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for £14.99.
With the upgrade,far as I can ascertain,you can't do a clean install for the windows 8 upgrade installation,you need to do a clean install of the previous version you had,then install the update again This still leaves me wondering if the windows 8 upgrade will available for download in future,even if you have already paid for it.

 

[Wozza63]

I've tried for hours now to find the answer to some of the questions about windows 8 upgrade,but either due to my limited brain cells, or there just isn't a straight answer from microsoft to some of the questions (nothing new there)I cant find definite answers,this is how I read it,feel free to correct me.
Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro will be available to purchase as standalone upgrades in retail stores and online. The physical upgrade pack for Windows 8 Pro is already available for pre-order for around £49. Microsoft has said that users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro online on Oct. 26 for $40 around £25 (remains to be seen come friday). People who purchased a Windows 7 device (OEM) between June 2, 2012 and Jan. 3, 2013 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for £14.99.
With the upgrade,far as I can ascertain,you can't do a clean install for the windows 8 upgrade installation,you need to do a clean install of the previous version you had,then install the update again This still leaves me wondering if the windows 8 upgrade will available for download in future,even if you have already paid for it.

Surely the upgrade will link up to the OEM W7 code that is pretty much burnt to the motherboard when installed

 

[vanthus]

Surely the upgrade will link up to the OEM W7 code that is pretty much burnt to the motherboard when installed

Maybe something like that Wozza,all I'm saying is I cant find a definite answer.

 

[basher77]

It says on the upgrade website that you can request a dvd for extra cost and postage. I've had 2 friends install windows 7 onto blank new hard drives from upgrade discs so i think all it really does is upgrade your licence from windows 7 to windows 8.