84 replies to this topic

[KhanRad]

So I'm thinking of upgrading my system to Windows 7 or 8(when it is released). I've been using XP since the early 2000s. It didn't become an issue until I build a multi core system with 8 gigs of RAM, and only half of them memory would work with the XP system. So, I guess I might as well upgrade to a newer operating system. Any advice?

[Oderint dum Metuant]

64bit Windows 7 IMO.

8 Currently is horrible to use with its Metro interface (although you can minimize it but still no start button so you do have to go back to it) but i just have this feeling it's just not going to be well done i actually feel it will be Vista part 2.

Edited by DV^McKenna, 08 May 2012 - 01:23 PM.

[Motionless]

There is actually a 64bit XP by the way.

That being said, win7.

[Vexgrave Lars]

7x64.. 8's dead to me

[Mason Grimm]

Yeah I have a choice of running my old box (4gb ram + 512mb video card) on Windows XP SP3 now or saving a little bit and getting another OEM copy of Windows 7 just for the key and punching in the product code cause my new box is using Windows 7 with my old box' product key.

Stick with Windows 7. You will thank yourself later!

[Nexus Trimean]

Windows 7 64bit, (32bit only supports 4gigs of ram)

Windows 8 looks like they are trying to remake vista and make it worse.

Edited by Nexus Trimean, 08 May 2012 - 01:33 PM.

[trycksh0t]

Win7 is actually quite good, I'd say go with that. Win 8 just looks....yeah.

[Alymbic]

Nexus Trimean, on 08 May 2012 - 01:29 PM, said:

Windows 7 64bit, (32bit only supports 4gigs of ram)

Windows 8 looks like they are trying to remake vista and make it worse.

Make vista... worse... are you sure?
It doesn't seem physically possible...

[SNOWHOUND]

W7 x64

[Aegis Kleais]

On a Win7 x64 rig here. Stability has been great, driver support has been exceptional.

Don't entertain the idea of XP x64. Though it IS 64bit and you'll get more use out of your memory and CPU, it is renowned for having HORRIBLE driver support.

W8 on Win8. It's looking too gimmicky right now; like they're trying to turn a Desktop OS into a Mobile Phone OS.

[zymphor]

KhanRad, on 08 May 2012 - 01:13 PM, said:

So I'm thinking of upgrading my system to Windows 7 or 8(when it is released). I've been using XP since the early 2000s. It didn't become an issue until I build a multi core system with 8 gigs of RAM, and only half of them memory would work with the XP system. So, I guess I might as well upgrade to a newer operating system. Any advice?

>2012
>Still using Windows Xp

[Vulpesveritas]

Windows 7: Windows XP without stability issues, nowhere as near as many security holes, much cleaner user interface, ability to use all modern technology.
Windows 8: Windows 7 with 5% better RAM management, 5-10% improvement for AMD Bulldozer architecture based processors, higher RAM capacity (if 256GB isn't enough), better SSD stability, DX11.1, likely support for HSA, but a Tablet-styled UI which doesn't translate to a desktop so well, makes you pay for windows media center, and wants to connect you to "LIVE" whether or not you want to be..... i.e. great for hardware, not so great UI...

[ChalybsUmbra]

Just out of curiosity, who here has even tried the release candidate for Windows 8? I always hear a lot of hate for it, and analogies to Vista.

Well I'm running it right now, on my not-touch laptop. And it's fine. It's more optimized than Windows 7, boots up faster, shuts down quicker, even performance with tasks is better, and who the hell uses the start menu besides to search stuff or type in cmd or run (which you can still do, just right click the bottom left corner, and search in the top right), all the programs you can run on Windows 7 you can on 8 <- This last one right here was the great downfall of Vista, very little backwards compatibility and over the top UAC. This is not the case with Windows 8, UAC is same as Windows 7 and there is complete legacy support. The task manager is more comprehensive. Hell, you can pause copying/pasting/deleting now.

Regarding Metro... yeah, it takes a few days getting used to. After that, it's just another way of getting around. It makes a lot of sense in its organization compared to the start menu which was basically folders in folders. AND NOT EVERYTHING WILL BE A METRO APP. Christ, people are like hanging themselves because they think their computers are turning into tablets. NO, everything still has their explorer version if they had it in the first place. Just because PC users have to use move their mouses to corners instead of clicking icons, we think we're getting short-handed here. What arrogance. What ignorance.

Maybe I'm just young. Maybe it's because I'm still in college that I'm willing to learn a new system. Windows 8 is a move forward. But just because it moves the tablet world forward more than it does for PCs doesn't mean PCs are moving backwards.

I've probably changed nobody's mind here. I've probably just pissed people off. I might have even solidified your belief that Windows 8 = Vista. I might have even converted you to the Mac OS or Linux. Or maybe you'll stick with Windows 7. Great, I affirm that you should do that. But please, don't go bringing up past ghosts like Vista and using it to justify that Windows 8 is a terrible OS. Don't hate something you haven't even tried to learn based on hearsay.

Edit: I just wanted to say that the Metro UI is not as pervasive as people seem to think it is. I see it for 5 seconds when I start up, I click "Desktop" and I pretty much never see it again. I see it again if I want to shut down my computer, or go to the control panel, or search. And that's pretty much, mouse to bottom right corner-click-click done or mouse to bottom left corner-right click-click done. That's the same amount of work, if you can call it that, as before.

Please people. Ask me about Windows 8. I know I sound like a Microsoft rep, but I want to spread some first-hand experience here. I will be frank. I have issues with Windows 8 too at times. But let's be knowledgeable here.

Edited by ChalybsUmbra, 08 May 2012 - 04:02 PM.

[soulfire]

One thing you can do is download the consumer beta for windows 8 just do a google search. Have to warn you though when its time limit is up you will have to reinstall something. Microsoft seldom er never makes two good operating systems in a row. If your going to have a traditional type computer not a touch pad style get windows 7. Maybe down the road windows 9 will combine the hardware goodness of win 8 with a better ui. but knowing windows we will prob have to wait for win 10. No real reason to run xp anymore in my opinion other than you cant afford win 7. I think microsoft would like to create a new user interface but instead of looking to the window theme and modification community instead of phone one.
.....I believe you can download a user infertace that acts like metro, you can down load others.

Edited by soulfire, 08 May 2012 - 04:10 PM.

[BlackCat83]

Windows 7 64 bit is what you should use for gaming. Windows xp 64 bit is highly illadvised due to a lack of support for drivers/programs among manufacturers, but its still better than any vista os you could ever find.

Let me explain, windows 8 is meant for touch screen products like tablets and laptops that can be used with a touch screen (only 3 or 4 exist from the time I was reading up on this about four months ago). Never upgrade to windows 8 at this point in time, especially if you want to game. Windows 8 will be nothing but trouble, its a mobile tablet os, in other words.

[KhanRad]

Looks like there is a concensus. Windows 7 it is.

[McScwizzy]

Go with Windows 7 64bit. Windows 8 when it comes out will have waaaay too many bugs and besides that Windows 7 is stable and I am having no issues with it. Personally I will probably skip 8 all together. Go with 7.

[Vexgrave Lars]

I did the development and EU tests... I was not impressed. Boot times are irrelevant, like I ever power down, LOL.

[Toothman]

Like Star Trek movies. Every other Windows doesn't suck. Windows 7 is very good............................... need I say more?

[Volthorne]

soulfire, on 08 May 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

Microsoft seldom er never makes two good operating systems in a row.

Proof you're wrong: '95 and '98. Both were so very clean and fairly fast.

On topic, I know almost noting about Win8, other than it uses the gimmicky-looking Metro UI. I'll stick with Win7 for the next few years, or until I'm satisfied that an upgrade is a good idea.