Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8

[Walter Moore]

For what it is worth, either Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 are too big to be really useful on a 32 bit machine. You just run out of memory really fast because a 32 bit OS can only address about 4GB of ram and the OS by itself sucks up 1.5 - 2GB. Upgrading an older XP box, that is almost certainly 32 bit, is going to be a problem down the road. New software is always written for the "power user". If you buy a new computer at a mass market store it will come with Windows 8, or 8.1. If you get Windows 8, 8.1 is a free upgrade.

We use 7 at work, and our church has a bunch of new 8.1 computers. Both are usable, but 8 is not my favorite. At home I run Ubuntu on an old 1GB net-book with no problem. (Ubuntu is a form of Debian Linux.) It is a free download, but it isn't as novice friendly as Windows. On the other hand you could always buy an Apple...

[Zed Head]

That's a good point about memory. I've been limited to 1 GB since Compaq used two 512's to get there, no slots to easily fill. Will Windows 7 be that much worse than XP because of memory usage? Another $40 to get to 2. 100+25+ 40, $165. Not even addressing the 32 vs 64 bit question. Apparently my CPU has hyper-threading ability but not true 64 bit (whatever that really means).

For what it's worth, I've been on both ends of the "power" spectrum, computer-wise, I'm just working the low end for now (low cash flow). Extracting the most from the least is a challenge.

Edited March 28, 2014 by Zed Head

[Oiluj]

I have machines with both Win 7 Pro and Win 8.1. Win 7 is by far more user friendly, even though my Win 8.1 machine has a touchscreen.

Microsoft tried to make the same interface work on a computer as on a phone or tablet. While I have no issue using 8.1, the work flows are cumbersome... I plan to convert my Win 8.1 machine to Win 7.

There's a good reason most corporate customers are sticking with Win 7.

[Zed Head]

Thanks for all the feedback. I went with Windows 7 Home Premium (Amzon ~$99), a newer version of Microsoft Office (Craigslist from a local IT guy who gets paid in software occasionally, $40) and ~$21 worth of newer faster memory from an Amazon source (2GB total).

Windows 7 is about like an improved version of XP if you turn off the Aero stuff. The increased, faster memory made a big difference.

Good for another 5 1/2 years, for about $160. Barring old component failure (my CPU cooling fan is attached with a long zip tie).

[FastWoman]

Zed, I think you'll like Win7. One thing I noticed when updating from XP to 7 is that the automatic updates in 7 work very well. XP was a pain, because some of the updates would crash my computer. Some simply couldn't be installed, and that would result in others not being installable. I had to turn off the auto updates and perform them manually every week to keep my machine operational. This cycle would only be broken with the subsequent service pack. However, the Win7 updates have all worked correctly so far. Not a single complaint.

[Zed Head]

You are right. I should have done this three or four years ago. Although it has been interesting battling the old XP to keep things working. Kind of like working on an old fuel injection system.

[bartsscooterservice]

I'm using 7 for my work pc. I also think it's what you want to do with your pc, if only internet and e-mail and some word and excel, windows xp will still do fine.

[Zed Head]

I've been using 7 now for a little while and have to say that, with an extra one MB of memory, it is much much better than my old XP system. Just Windows 7 and twice the memory (two instead of one MB).

Then there's this stuff that I don't have to worry about -

Defense, energy, banks hit by Internet Explorer bug - May. 2, 2014

[Stanley]

My win 7 laptop went blue-screen Saturday after restarting for win update. Took it back to Best Buy, Geek Squad, they got me for $200, called me yesterday and said they can't fix it, maybe the motherboard. $100 to back up the documents.

so I called HP, they'll fix it for 350 incl. shipping and free docs backup. OK.

Anyway, I checked out laptops at the store, they all had win 8.1. Tried them out, seems like a hassle if you need to have access bunch of recent docs, like putting a set of plans together. Maybe it's OK but that's my first impression.

Glad I opted to fix my win 7 laptop instead of buying a new one. No job this week fortunately but hate not flying my damn planes. Wanted to get my wings wet under Victoria Falls, miss the Grand Canyon.

Oh, yeah, don't be like me, please back up your files, Z stuff etc. 500 gigs storage for $70, so no excuse.

[Mike]

Microsoft screwed up with Windows 8, it's so damn confusing. I have a MS Surface II and it's still a pain to use, I only have it for work. On the other side, I moved to Mac.