Is it worth it to upgrade to Win8

[kb0sdq]

Howdy folks,
So as all have noticed all the new laptops are sold with Win8 installed even the non touch screen machines. My question is, I have an ASUS G73JH lappy with Win 7 64 bit. I have been thinking of upgrading to win 8. I am currently saving up for the new ASUS G750 lappy.
The way I understood it was win8 was built for touch screens and it is a real hassle to use with a mouse. I did also see that Win 8.1 is going to have a start button and maybe a bit more like win7.
So anyhow, should I take the plunge and upgrade this lappy to win 8 or go in blind when I can afford to get the new lappy?

Thanks for any advise,

 

[CARLOSWII5]

No don't upgrade windows 8 is terrible I got a "hive corruption" error code and it took me so long to fix and I ended up downgrading to windows 7(it was an ASUS)

 

[jefboyardee]

Not that my experience applies to anyone else, but I just bought a W8 desktop PC to replace my XP PC that I had pushed to the digital edge. I hated the W8 so much that I returned it and was motivated to repair my XP, which I somehow did. If I get anything Windows, at this point, it’s got be W7. W8.1 is coming, but I haven’t read anything reassuring about it either.

 

[SiempreTuna]

I also have Win7 64bit on a 1 year old (fairly high end) lappy, but since it doesn't have touch, I see no reason to upgrade. That's not because I have any problem with Win8, though: from what I've read, Win8.1 is fine.

If and when I buy a new lappie, I'll get whatever version of Windows is then current. I'll find out how much I like it then .. but I'll also have current laptop with a version of Windows I do like in (the highly unlikely) case that I really, really can't live with that latest version.

 

[jonbanjo]

I'm biased as a Linux user. I'd like replace the laptop next year and can get peed off that so many things come with Win. That said, even if it's only 10 times a year, I can use something with Win as a just in case standby I baled out long ago (current laptop is Vista Home Basic but other than that I was out before XP, last I had as main OS was Win2K Pro - something that rarely seems to get a mention but I think was one of MS's better offerings). I know my situation is rather different but of the current offerings, I would be prepared to buy a lapop with Win7. I (rightly or wrongly...) do not feel the same way about win 8.

 

[SiempreTuna]

I'm biased as a Linux user. I'd like replace the laptop next year and can get peed off that so many things come with Win.

True: unless you go to an independent, you pretty much have to buy Windows.

last I had as main OS was Win2K Pro - something that rarely seems to get a mention but I think was one of MS's better offerings

Absolutely. XP was basically Win2K with a dab of lippy

And XP is the best windows .. going by how long it has lasted and how many places (including my current employer) still use it.

I know my situation is rather different but of the current offerings, I would be prepared to buy a lapop with Win7. I (rightly or wrongly...) do not feel the same way about win 8.

If your last laptop came with Win7, couldn't just transfer that copy to the new machine? Maybe as a dual boot?

 

[jonbanjo]

If your last laptop came with Win7, couldn't just transfer that copy to the new machine? Maybe as a dual boot?

My current laptop came with Vista, my planned new one next year would (probably) be Win 7. This would be dual boot. Win is more to me sort of, maybe I have a bit of hardware I want to try which comes with only Win support or going back to older days when I used to run a website be able to have IE as a browser to be able to check with. Just really want to feel comfortable with Win on the rare times I use it.

 

[Davdi]

Win 8 is OK if you install one of the 3rd party start buttons. I use Classic Shell which makes the desktop just like Win7. If you've got Win7 running well and it's stable, DO NOT even thing of 'upgrading' to Win8. The only benefit *might* be slightly better battery life.

 

[kb0sdq]

Great response, Thanks all who replied.
The other thing I read was that you can not install win7 onto a win8 machine drivers wrong I guess. I do not believe in the word cant. seems like it would be easy to just format and install win7
Also could dual boot 7 or 8 so many options lol
thanks for the info

 

[SiempreTuna]

Good luck

 

[saptech]

The other thing I read was that you can not install win7 onto a win8 machine drivers wrong I guess. I do not believe in the word cant. seems like it would be easy to just format and install win7
Also could dual boot 7 or 8 so many options lol
thanks for the info

Build your own system and install what you want on it.

Only thing about Win8 is you get a newer computer with it!

 

[Joelgp83]

I'd say buy a new machine, even if it does have Win8 on it. If you hate it, replace it with Win7.

Yeah, but now I gotta buy a new copy of Win7, you say. Not so! You can take the Win8 license key and use it on your Win7 install (make sure the "version" of windows matches, e.g. Win8 Home > Win7 Home), and it will accept it. Microsoft calls it a "downgrader privilege". It's a nice 3rd option when you feel like you either have to stick with old systems or new crap.

 

[mikedt]

TBH I wouldn't bother. I found some aspects of Win 8 to be incredibly annoying because it was designed for touch screen tablets. like when I plug a USB drive in a notification pops up saying "Tap for options"... haha.. how can I "tap" when the PC doesn't have a touch screen?

BTW a friend of mine just bought a Windows 8 laptop that didn't have a touch screen, and he actually deleted Win 8 and installed 7.

 

[Co1dNight]

I

 

[sfbloodbrother]

I'm not bias, well, I am. I do not like Apple.
Windows 8 is great so far for me, because I use it a lot like Windows 7. It is basically the same thing, juts looks different. To say the truth, we are all different people. We all have different opinions, and taste to how we like to use our computers. At first, I thought Windows 8 was awful to use on the desktop. Then I got it, and had NO issues with it.
Just before you decide to judge it, give it a chance. You may be able to try it out as Windows 8.1 is in preview, so give it a try. If you don't like it, then stay with Windows 7. If you do, then give this post a like.