Need advice on OS for a laptop.

[Nick_IoW]

Hi guys, looking at a new laptop and needing advice - trying to decide what OS to put on it.

The look of windows 8 makes me want to vomit, but is it any good or just complete tosh? I see the 8.1 update is coming (along with a start button).

Is it worth keeping with the times, and putting up with all this **** 'app' concept stuff, or going backwards to windows 7 for the meantime?

Having Lynux OS or getting a Mac is completely off the table, no interest in those.

Thanks

Nick

 

[Richard_H]

I think Andy Plantman may be the best to ask but windows 7 for me. All of our PCs and laptops purchased in the last 12 months have been rolled back to a win 7 build.

 

[ODB]

I have a Windows 7 laptop and a Windows 8 one and 7 is far better. Why on earth they tried to shoehorn a touchscreen interface onto a PC is beyond me. You can put a shell on Windows 8 to make it the same as 7 but you still have to deal with the background screens being gubbins.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Windows 7 all the way mate. Windows 8 is **** :roll:

 

[tundra9]

XP!!

 

[rob71]

Agree with the above, XP is the only OS that ever worked properly, Win7 at a pinch but crap for audio, avoid 8 like the plague.

 

[Richard_H]

You mustn't have experienced MS-DOS (awesome!) or Unix then. Fantastic OSs. Win 3.11 did it's job too.

 

[rob71]

Blasts from the past :lol: yes they were good (all we had to work with at Uni) I meant still available. Why is it the more "features" Microsoft tried to introduce the more unstable it became (XP finds a balance I think, for my use anyway). Both DOS and 3.1 had the feel of a cohesive product worked on by a small team, the new ones are like they got as many different people to throw things at it as possible.

 

[walkie]

Steer well clear win 8 its shitter then vista!!

Win 7 all the way.

 

[JuniorChubb]

My vote goes for Windows 7. My browsing laptop has W7 and it boots up quickly and runs smoothly.

I am still an XP fan over Vista.

I have not got Windows 8 on any machines but I don't think its as bad a people make out, I think the laptop issue is that W8 is geared toward touch screen use and has more of tablet then PC feel to it. I would be very tempted with W8 if buying a new machine.

BTW Google Chromebook is good fun if all you are doing is surfing le web...

 

[Richard_H]

I nearly got a chromebook until I realised that it isn't supported by Sky Go.

 

[JuniorChubb]

Cheers for adding that Rich :wink:

I don't want any angry PM's coming my way for bad recommendations

I might get one for the missus at Christmas though, seeing as she's Virgin we won't need SkyGo

 

[TC-14]

Why is it the more "features" Microsoft tried to introduce the more unstable it became (XP finds a balance I think, for my use anyway). Both DOS and 3.1 had the feel of a cohesive product worked on by a small team, the new ones are like they got as many different people to throw things at it as possible.

Nick, I know you have stated that you're not interested in getting a Mac... but (yes, I'm not listening... and going to tell you of my experience anyway ) I switched from Windows to Mac 12 years ago, and there is no way I would go back.

Indeed, for the first few months, I was trying to do simple 'Microsoft' stuff on an Apple (apologies if you've had previous experience and I'm trying to tell you how to suck eggs)... double click and all that unnecessary stuff... but what I came to discover was: here we have one company making the hardware, as well as the software that runs it.... rather than one company starting from scratch every time with a new operating system, and trying to shoe-horn it into PC's where it's not quite comfortable. That's my analogy, for what it's worth...

Apple? Yes, it will always have that black Comme des Garçons polo neck image... but from my point of view, it just works. I've never had the need to buy internet security on my MacBooks (what a scam that is), I've never had spam mail in the 12 years since I've been on a Mac operating system (everytime Mail downloads, it usually says: downloading 23... but I only get 1 or 2 in my folder). That's what I like to see. First line defence :wink:

That's my two-penneth, for what it's worth.

Martin

 

[tiefighterboy]

8 is shite unless you are 12 years old and get a hard on for apps. I had to install the shell software just to actually navigate and use it like a PC not like glorified toy!!!! Then the ****ing side bar tool jumps out all the time.....I had to disable it...well best I could. Windows 7 blows it away and XP blew that away. Hell Vista made 8 it's bitch. :lol: :lol:

You can tell I am impressed with my new pc.

 

[Nick_IoW]

Cheers guys - you made it a pretty simple decision really

Sorry Martin, I dont like macs - from time to time I like to jiggle the insides about with new stuff (im a games-player) - macs are limited and pricey when you want to make changes.

Let's get this bad-boy ordered - i hate having to wait

Thanks again folks,

Nick

 

[TC-14]

No problem, Nick- I understand where you're coming from... I just had to stick my oar in, though :lol:
Enjoy your new PC, here's wishing you get a quick delivery!

 

[plantman]

windows 8 has some pointless additions for a pc user but saying that it is ultra stable, i rolled it out months ago and it has no issues (much like windows 7) now all vendors have caught up with drivers for it.

to get rid of the stupid app ridden start screen just install this little program http://www.classicshell.net/

it restores the original menu and makes windows 8 look like windows 7 interface.

couple windows 8 with an ssd drive and it is a very fast OS

Andy

 

[Nick_IoW]

Now looking at graphics cards. I know the GTX780m is a beast - but from reading forums it seems to throttle badly at times due to the heat of this monster? Anyone have any experiences with this GPU. Bare in mine I wont be tinkering with anything, overclocking or playing with BIOS. Would the less powerful HD8970 be a safer bet?

Cheers

Nick

 

[Richard_H]

It all depends what you need it for.

 

[plantman]

get an xbox or playstation mate lol

the graphics chip in those is the size of a cup mat and doesnt need upgrading every year, and costs less.

so frustrating but a massive money spinner.