Windows 8 or 7?

[sloan448]

OK, I don't have a lot of time to research this all over the web so I ask here, is Windows 8 better than 7? I have 7 and really like it, not planning on getting 8 but I have a friend that wants to upgrade from Vista. I recommend 7 but he is thinking "newest is best". I might be doing the upgrade for him this weekend so time is short. I don't know much about 8 but I haven't heard people raving about it. My opinion is stay with 7 until some thing better comes along. I used XP until 7 came along, skipped Vista except for my laptop that came with it, almost never use it. So what do you think?

[sloan448]

Oh ya, just found out that support for XP is ending next month so I am getting mine current as we speak, I have it on my back-up computer.

[Allan]

There is  no "better". Your friend (or you) will have to research both OS's or try both OS's and decide which you like better. It's all subjective.

[sloan448]

I kind of figured I would get that answer. I probably asked it wrong. Is there any big improvements that makes 8 worth it. My friend is seriously into music, mainly rock and especially 60s psychedelic rock. So is there any improvements to managing some thing like that (just paste a link if you don't mind)? He burns a lot CDs to use at work, that's how we got on the subject, and wants reliable software and operating system. I don't use that kind of software much, 7 works for me fine. With the newest OS he may get better support and options for that kind of thing.

[BC_Programmer]

Windows 8 is cheaper and includes downgrade rights. Making the question somewhat moot.

[soybean]

Windows 8 is cheaper and includes downgrade rights. Making the question somewhat moot.

But, downgrade rights only pertain to the Pro version of Windows 8, right?  Most computers purchased for home or personal use will not have the Pro version.  Of course, since he is talking about buying the OS, he can buy the Pro version if having downgrade rights is important.

Is there any big improvements that makes 8 worth it. My friend is seriously into music, mainly rock and especially 60s psychedelic rock. So is there any improvements to managing some thing like that (just paste a link if you don't mind)? He burns a lot CDs to use at work, that's how we got on the subject, and wants reliable software and operating system. I don't use that kind of software much, 7 works for me fine. With the newest OS he may get better support and options for that kind of thing.

I really think he can do whatever he does with music just fine with either Win 7 or Win 8.  The bigger issue is the user interface and learning Win 8 will require more time than learning Win 7.  But, I don't believe Microsoft is going to be dropping the Windows Metro interface format in future releases of Windows.  So, learning to use a Metro or similar interface cannot be avoided forever.

[BC_Programmer]

I really think he can do whatever he does with music just fine with either Win 7 or Win 8.

He can do whatever he does with music just fine with Windows Vista, too.

The bigger issue is the user interface and learning Win 8 will require more time than learning Win 7.

The Modern UI is optional. Only certain options and controls will use a Modern UI style (eg. selecting a network to connect to pops in from the side rather than showing a popup).

So, learning to use a Metro or similar interface cannot be avoided forever.

I've never understood why people think there is "learning" involved. It's like saying you need to learn how to drive your new car because it's red when your old one was blue.

[soybean]

He can do whatever he does with music just fine with Windows Vista, too.

Yes, but they seem to not be considering staying with Vista. 

The Modern UI is optional. Only certain options and controls will use a Modern UI style (eg. selecting a network to connect to pops in from the side rather than showing a popup).

I'm talking about the big change in the UI between Windows 8/8.1 and older versions of Windows, which is the Start screen on Win 8 and the removal of the old familiar Start menu and Programs menu. 

I've never understood why people think there is "learning" involved. It's like saying you need to learn how to drive your new car because it's red when your old one was blue.

The analogy doesn't make sense; obviously, a mere difference in color of a car would not require learning to drive the new car.  And, obviously, the difference between Win 8 and older versions of Windows is much greater than a difference in color scheme.  Surely, you're aware of the complaints and frustrations of many new users of Win 8 about having to spend time figuring how to do things due to the design of Win 8 being so much different from  previous version of Windows.   

[SuperDave]

I have Windows 8 and XP on my dual-boot computer. At first I really didn't like the setup on Win8 so I figured out how to change it. I now have Win8 set up to look and work like Windows 7 althought I mostly boot into XP.

[patio]

"" Shortcut to Canned Speeches ''.....

Got a kick out of that SD.

Looks good...

[camerongray]

I'd always go with 8 nowadays - Sure it takes a bit of getting used to but once you have done that it's fine.  No point spending money on an old OS that will need replaced sooner.  Copies of Windows 7 are also becoming very rare and expensive (Especially the upgrade or full retail packs that you would need in this situation) whereas the Windows 8 upgrade media is very cheap.  An "OEM" copy of Windows will not work in this situation as you are installing it on an existing PC.

[SuperDave]

The only reason why I'm using XP more than Win8 is because some of my older programs won't run on Win8 and I'm not going to spend money to upgrade these programs.

[sloan448]

Super Dave said

The only reason why I'm using XP more than Win8 is because some of my older programs won't run on Win8 and I'm not going to spend money to upgrade these programs.

Exactly, I still have XP on my backup computer because my scanner doesn't work on 7. That's why my friend and I are leaning towards putting 7 on his. Unless I hear a really good reason for 8. I don't know how old his scanner/printer is so I suggested 7. He says he's been having problems with it getting recognized by his computer and his dvd drive doesn't have sound when he plays dvds. It's probably a driver/codec problem but I figure the upgrade will do him good.

[camerongray]

I have yet to see something that doesn't work on Windows 8 when it does on 7 - Underneath they are virtually identical.  Whenever I've had issues sourcing drivers for Windows 8, the Windows 7 (or even older ones in some cases) have always worked well.

Have you even checked to see if you can still buy a copy of 7, most shops no longer stock anything other than the OEM copies (Which aren't suitable for your use here)?

[Geek-9pm]

Windows 9 Is Coming Soon! - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJnzs3jphn8
Doesn't NINE mean NO in German? 

[camerongray]

Windows 9 Is Coming Soon! - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJnzs3jphn8

A random YouTube video is hardly an official source - Nothing has been officially announced yet, anything about Windows 9 at the moment is purely speculation.

[Geek-9pm]

A random YouTube video is hardly an official source - Nothing has been officially announced yet, anything about Windows 9 at the moment is purely speculation.

Oh  how we chase rumors.
MS has to say something in April. Either a revision to Windows 8.1 or
-  just maybe a hint of when Windows 9 will go beta.

[BC_Programmer]

MS has to say something in April.

The Embargo on discussing it ends on April 4th. That is probably on or near when they will make a public announcement.

[sloan448]

Well, we finally got my friends computer upgraded last Sunday. We were going to go with 8 but when he went to buy it at the store another one of his friends that works there said he would probably regret it, go with 7, so we did. He ordered it on Amazon. The clean install went well, his scanner/printer/fax machine works now and so does his DVD drive, two main things he was having a problem with. So there is one less Vista machine on the planet.