Alternative to Windows 8

[dewaltdisney]

My laptop is getting knackered and I am fast approaching the point to renew it. Despite having an I Pad, my old PC and my phone my Compaq laptop is still the most used and I am loathe to buy a new machine as they all have Windows 8.1 OS. My son has 8.1 on his laptop and I have to say that it is horrible compared to Vista. Does anyone know if there is a Windows redesign imminent? Should I get a touch screen lappy as 8.1 seems to be more of a tablet based design these days? So my question is what should I go for as I am looking at £300'ish a Mac is sadly out of my budget.

DWD

[kellys_eye]

Windows 10 is on the way - though I'm not sure if that requires yet MORE resources (memory, speed etc) to run..... BG will be along with the full SP on that (I hope).

For older machines that are past their best I would recommend they are loaded with a version of Linux - web browsing and office functions (via the free package Open Office) are fast, reliable and use far less resources - therefore your machine 'feels' as if it's a lot faster.

There are version of Linux that can be booted from CDROM or USB stick and run on a temporary basis (doesn't change the OS already installed) which allows you to play with the Linux version and see what you think. You can then opt to make the changes permanently if it's to your liking.

Xubuntu is the best desktop version I personally know of. There are many different versions to suit different applications and basic resources. Googling 'best Linux distro' will show a few sites that illustrate the various versions and their applications.

Nothing to lose by trying though....

[BillyGoat]

Have you used it for more than a few clicks DWD?

I've found most people who "hate" it are either using XP (which says it all) or are typically die hard computer fans and those who are stuck in their ways - "I HATE change".

I use it as my daily driver on my desktop and have zero problems with it. There is a program you can install that I've seen that pretty much makes it LOOK and FEEL like Windows 7 if it's just the interface.

Windows 10 is in consumer preview at the minute and offers a lot towards desktop functionality, which I agree was missing in Windows 8 release. Windows 8.1 update fixed much of the desktop based problems (like awkward swipe gestures that you couldn't QUITE do with a mouse), just still there. You'll also get an Update to 10 for free, if it's an OEM based install (comes pre-installed and typically a "branded" machine)

From MS site:

Great news! We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year! And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge. Sign up with your email today, and we will send you more information about Windows 10 and the upgrade offer in the coming months.

I suspect in the 300 range you won't find an 8.1 PRO version of Windows pre-installed, but if you can it offers downgrade rights in the licence terms. That means you can install Windows 7 and then get a key from Microsoft to activate it. It's very convoluted. Most pre-installed systems with Windows 7 will be refurbished machines.

BG

edit: http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-455- ... ns-2182841

Clearer link: http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-prob ... ws-2174071

Have a read of that -

[dewaltdisney]

Thanks for that chaps. Yes, you are right, I have not done more than a few clicks on 8.1 and I am more confident in the older OS systems that I know my way around. It is a Luddite mentality on my part I have to admit and I guess that once I have persevered and learned how to drive 8.1 I will get by.

It interested me that 10 is in the pipeline and I might have a good,look for a package with Pro loaded to get the 10 upgrade. My laptop is suffering from a poor connection on the lift up screen and I have to jiggle it to get the picture. I am not under pressure so I can take my time to have a good market search.

Cheers

DWD

[BillyGoat]

Just to clarify DWD the Pro version of 8.1 is only needed if you want to DOWNGRADE to Windows 7.

The Windows 10 is all eligible versions I listed in the quote: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/about

[Argyll]

There's a shell you can download from the MS website that has the Win 7 display. I've been happily using it for the past month or so.

[Bob225]

I have never got on with windows 8/8.1 change is good thing the fundamentals of windows 8/8.1 are there but the GUI and user experience is dire esp if you want to do anything technical - lets hope windows 10 works as Microsoft have laid off a lot of the debug eams and dev teams something silly like 25,000 jobs have gone in the US alone

I was an early adopter of windows 7 - its backwards compatible even with xp-mode and virtual machine (not home or home prem) you can run the old 8 and 16 bit programs

only 11% of all world wide computers run 8/8.1 go into the corporate/networking world and its all windows 7 because it works, its stable and it doesn't need staff to be retrained

new laptop - ssd upgrade and buy windows 7 oem

Linux is nerdy - even with the likes of mint and redhat it still need some knowledge of programming/command lines (bash)

[joinerjohn]

Linux is nerdy - even with the likes of mint and redhat it still need some knowledge of programming/command lines (bash)

Linux isn't nerdy whatsoever. You need no knowledge of programming whatsoever and you shouldn't need to use the command line interface (inadvised use of the CLI is what ruins the linux experience for many.) A few things in Linux's favour though,,, Most of the internet servers run linux based OS's.... There are very few (if any) live viruses in the wild that affect Linux..... A lot of Linux based OS's are extremely stable..

[BillyGoat]

I have never got on with windows 8/8.1 change is good thing the fundamentals of windows 8/8.1 are there but the GUI and user experience is dire esp if you want to do anything technical - lets hope windows 10 works as Microsoft have laid off a lot of the debug eams and dev teams something silly like 25,000 jobs have gone in the US alone

It was actually 25,000 jobs were absorbed INTO Microsoft when the aquired Nokia and the 18,000 that were at risk - many of these went into alternative employment and positions, while I'm sure many more didn't.

None of that has anything to do with Windows 10 or their teams - where did you see that?

BG

[wine~o]

Back to the OP's original question... I was (And still am) using W7 which is similar to vista in terms of functionality, I also have a W8.1 lappy, once you've used it for a few weeks you'll get over the differences...Just need an open mind/attitude..

[Someone-Else]

I have windows 8.1 its not my favourite, but I use it in "old style mode" Instead of all the "huge swish it about boxes" if you click on the one called "desktop" you get............

[Bob225]

I have never got on with windows 8/8.1 change is good thing the fundamentals of windows 8/8.1 are there but the GUI and user experience is dire esp if you want to do anything technical - lets hope windows 10 works as Microsoft have laid off a lot of the debug eams and dev teams something silly like 25,000 jobs have gone in the US alone

It was actually 25,000 jobs were absorbed INTO Microsoft when the aquired Nokia and the 18,000 that were at risk - many of these went into alternative employment and positions, while I'm sure many more didn't.

None of that has anything to do with Windows 10 or their teams - where did you see that?

BG

lots of teams based at Redmond got canned, nokia has been asset striped and the branding killed, programmers on the windows kernel, dev and testing have gone, xbox teams have been cut too, 18,000 have be made redundant, 1200 in the uk, its all part of the way Elop is driving the company

search nerdgasm (MS testing automation programmer) or jayz2cents on youtube (Tech Talk)

[BillyGoat]

Saw this DWD, looks alright for 250!

BG

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... id=t#cat-0

[dewaltdisney]

Hi all, thanks for all the helpful comments. That looks a good buy Billy. what worries me about refurbed units is if the first user was Garry Glitter and there is a load of deleted stuff still in the memory?

I went into Currys the other day and had a look at what was on offer. The assistant told me that my 2007 MS Office will not work on Windows 8.1 so I will have to buy a new compatible one. Was he lying to get a sale top up? He also said that AVG only offered about 8% protection against McAfee's 100% protection and said I should subscribe to if I bought a new lapppy. Hmmm...is this all b*llocks?

I think I will sit tight for a moment and keep analyzing the offers. The 8.1 and the Shell idea looks good http://www.classicshell.net/features/ (is this okay?) just to help me with transition.

Thanks all

DWD

[wine~o]

The assistant told me that my 2007 MS Office will not work on Windows 8.1 so I will have to buy a new compatible one. Was he lying to get a sale top up? He also said that AVG only offered about 8% protection against McAfee's 100% protection and said I should subscribe to if I bought a new lapppy. Hmmm...is this all b*llocks?


Thanks all

DWD

I can't see any reason 2007 office wouldn't run on a W8 machine, but then I use open office anyway.

As to the avg vs. McAfee, my neighbour got a W8 lappy about the same time I got mine.. His came with McAfee as did mine, I got rid of it and downloaded AVG free.

Couple of months back he asked me to have a look at his as it was doing some odd things...

It was virtually unusable. I downloaded installation files for Mbam onto a memory stick for him (Something was stopping him downloading it himself)

Loaded Mbam, it found over 100 viruses/trojans and pups...

That's how good McAfee is (In his case anyway)