My next box: Windows 7 or windows 8?

[five.five-six]

My current box is XP and it's just time to go.

I already have the hardware and an OEM W8, but I have heard some hubbub about W8 being a joke. Having built a millennium (ME) box 15 years ago, I don't want to make that mistake again. I would prefer a discussion of the stability and versatility of the platform over a discussion of the GUI, GUIs get learned.

[Gio]

8.1 works great here

[C.G.]

Initially I was not happy about the lack of desktop in Windows 8 (I don't have a touchscreen), but all fine now with Windows 8.1. And no, it is not like Windows ME at all, I think of it as an improved Windows 7 that works across the spectrum. Never had a crash. it is a very stable platform.

[CGT80]

Windows 8.1 and then load classic shell on it. I had an xp computer that I built in 2006. I decided it was time to upgrade my hardware since I needed to ditch xp. 7 sucks. I don't like 8.1 all that much better but it runs great. Classic shell let me disable the stupid charms bar and it gave me a real start menu. I don't use the start page or any of the stupid pop up menus. I am running a gigabyte brix mini computer, actually 2 of them, and a non touch screen monitor. I am not a fan of the apps style programs and didn't even bother to setup a microsoft account. The SSD combined with 8.1 means I can restart the computer in around 10 seconds. I am glad I went with new technology and I am glad that classic shell fixes some of the drawbacks to 8.1. I tried ubuntu/linux but just didn't like it. I don't do anything apple, so that was out.

[hossybossy]

bought a laptop with windows 8, it was fine then I upgraded to windows 8.1 which I was looking forward too. once upgraded I had cpu fan problems it would ramp too 100% while it was still cool. I could not open a jpeg(I spent 4-5 hours trying to fix this.). ended up going back to linux/gnu, on my laptop.

[five.five-six]

Well, I installed 8 on 2 boxes today, it went really well. not hard to navigate at all. had some trouble finding network settings as both boxes had 2 NICs but overall it's been a breeze so far

[the86d]

Just run Linux on your old box (with maybe a RAM upgrade, assuming you don't play games or work IT where Windows is required (but then you could just run Windows in a VM anyway..).

Try Live CD of Elementary OS Luna, you might be suprised, and you can try-before-you-buy (before you install... actually with a Live CD/DVD distro, but speed will be limited to the drive, and bus [and RAM..]).

I noticed that Windows 7 x86 runs better in a VM than natively on quad-core Phenoms, and older Core2-quads. x64 seems to do better, and less of the glitches than x86 that never get fixed (like the right-click wrong menus and such [that I use all day]).

[The War Wagon]

Go with 8 - ver. 8.5 is supposed to FINALLY have a decent "START" button.

I have 7 at the house, & it ain't no great shakes...

[NytWolf]

Eight. Period.

I can't believe you can't conquer a simple piece of software.

[Iknownot]

I just picked up a win 8 machine a couple of months ago and have been on win 7 since it has been out.

My personal opinion is 8 is a mess with out a touchscreen as it is designed to be used one.

So 7 if no touch screen.
8 if touchscreen enabled.

The reality is that except for a couple of changes (that are okay if you have the touch screen), both OS's are about the same in the end.

[sd_shooter]

Either Win7/8 will ensure that you're not getting the most out of your hardware. A year of use will transform it into something that feels like a 386.

I'm a recent Mac convert (zealot?), so I must recommend you get a Mac

[Baeleron]

I'm going to skip win 8 completely. Win 9 is expected next year, and I'm hoping the trend continues that every other release is decent.

[MaHoTex]

Go with Windows 8 but put Start 8 on it. Best of both worlds: Windows 8 Speed with Windows 7 desktop feel.

[jben]

Had a Win 8 laptop. Tried it for a year. Just stripped it clean and installed Win 7.

Win 8 is just...annoying. I can't even put my finger on exactly why. Just lots of little things that add up to "I don't like it."

Win 7 does everything just as well and isn't annoying.

[five.five-six]

Just run Linux on your old box (with maybe a RAM upgrade, assuming you don't play games or work IT where Windows is required (but then you could just run Windows in a VM anyway..).

the old box was a crappy athalon from 8 years ago that I did on a budget, It didn't even run worth a piss when I first built it. I had the OS ans swap/caching on a SSD which is the only reason it lasted as long as it did. the MOBO/CPU combo is not selling on eBay for $50, yes it's that bad.

Try Live CD of Elementary OS Luna, you might be suprised, and you can try-before-you-buy (before you install... actually with a Live CD/DVD distro, but speed will be limited to the drive, and bus [and RAM..]).

I noticed that Windows 7 x86 runs better in a VM than natively on quad-core Phenoms, and older Core2-quads. x64 seems to do better, and less of the glitches than x86 that never get fixed (like the right-click wrong menus and such [that I use all day]).

I am running enterprise NVRs and programing EMS systems with this box, I really don't want to get involved with VMware.