Go For Windows 7 or Windows 8.1?

[ZeeOSix]

I'm looking to buy a new home computer & monitor ... have the option of going with Windows 7 (64 bit) or Windows 8.1 (64 bit) for the operating system. I use Windows 7 at work, but would it be worth to just get 8.1 on this new home machine and "getting with the times".

Looking at the Dell Inspiron Desktop 3000 Series computer with a 4th Generation Intel Core i3-4150 processor (3M Cache, 3.5 GHz) with 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz (4GBx2) of memory, 1 TB hard drive, DVD/CD RW and a 23" 16:1 HD monitor (non-touch screen). Package cost to the door will be ~$570.

For only $450 to the door I can get basically the same package as above (with same 23" HD monitor), except the computer has a 4th Generation Intel Pentium-G3220 (3M Cache, 3.0 GHz) processor with 4GB Single Channel DDR3 1600MHz (4GBx1) of memory.

Would going with the lesser machine in the processor and RAM be that noticeable if I'm not using it for gaming, etc? If not, could save $120.

What would you do?

 

[tstep]

Windows 8 is definitely a touchscreen operating system. It most certainly be used without a touchscreen, but I find it a little clumsy without a touchscreen.

The dual core G3220 is more or less a dual core i3-4150 @85% speed without hyperthreading (mimics 2 additional cores). I3 is definitely faster especially with double the ram. Side by side you would notice a difference, but I doubt you would miss the extra speed in real life operation unless running a cpu intensive program. Modern computers are just so fast in comparison to the processing demands of most programs that people use.

 

[yvon_la]

w8.1 64 bit,since w8.1 was released ms released a few update to it that improved w8.1 tremendously

 

[datech]

I thought the same thing and I needed a new HD so I got a deal on 8.1. I thought maybe I should try it, and keep up with the times.

I will be reloading Windows 7 pretty soon. The experiment has gone on too long now ( a month)

 

[Mackelroy]

I have computers with both windows 8 and win 7 pro. Win 7 pro isnt going away anytime soon, to many business's use it.

I have an I7 on my win 7 pro , and luv processing speed, for tasks like full virus scans , malware scans ect. These things complete in less than 20 minutes instead of hour or more.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Go for Windows 8.1 and spend the $4.99 for Start8 and you will have the fastest version of Windows 7 that ever existed and will still have and OS that can be touch enabled if you need it. Start8 made my adaptation of Windows 8 both painless and enjoyable.

 

[Hermann]

Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Go for Windows 8.1 and spend the $4.99 for Start8 and you will have the fastest version of Windows 7 that ever existed and will still have and OS that can be touch enabled if you need it. Start8 made my adaptation of Windows 8 both painless and enjoyable.


+1 My laptop and desktop are networked with Windows 8.1 and it works seamlessly. When I add a pic or whatever on either it appears on the other. I used StartMenu8 which was free.

 

[mrsilv04]

Win 7 is going to be around a good long time. It is the choice of businesses.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I would opt for Win 8.1 being that it's supposedly less resource hungry compared to Win 7.

I have Win 7 Pro.

 

[ClutchDisc]

If you are going with Windows, get Windows 7. Windows 8 or 8.1 is absolutely awful!

 

[JDW]

Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Go for Windows 8.1 and spend the $4.99 for Start8 and you will have the fastest version of Windows 7 that ever existed and will still have and OS that can be touch enabled if you need it. Start8 made my adaptation of Windows 8 both painless and enjoyable.


Same here

 

[gregk24]

Go for the Windows 8.1, I have no problems using it. Even on my basic HP 2000 Laptop with an AMD E-300 processor.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
What would you do?

What would I do? I would keep using my old system and wipe the hard drive and install Linux. If you really want to buy a new computer, I would look into one of these: https://system76.com/desktops/

Windows 8.1 is the most hideous operating system I've ever seen. No, you don't need to experience the countless hours of frustration I had with Windows 8 before I wiped my hard drive and installed Linux, just to "get with the times." Windows 8 was Microsoft's biggest mistake ever!

 

[Hokiefyd]

Windows 8.1 runs great on our computer. We've had a low-end Dell Inspiron 660s on our desktop for close to a year now and 8.1 has been fantastic. I spent $5 on Start8 and won't go back to 7 if you made me. 8.1 has been very enjoyable.

 

[Trav]

M$$ was almost giving it 8 away to Windows 7 buyers when it came out, i tried it and tossed it in the trash number and all.
My PC is an i7, 16 gig, good graphic card, all liquid cooled and didn't run as well or game as well as on Windows 7.

This is just another mid term M$ failure and their miserable attempt at a cross platform OS.
Windows 9 or 10 should be great if M$ hold true to their MO.
*Windows 95 Flop
*Windows 98 SE Good
*Windows Millennium Flop
*Windows XP Good
*Windows Vista Flop
*Windows 7 Good
*Windows 8 and variants Flop

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

I generally agree with what you're saying but Windows 95 was hardly a flop. More like Windows 95 was good, and Windows 98 was better.

 

[dparm]

Get 8.1. Actually runs faster than 7 in most circumstances. Most of the kinks have been worked out.

 

[SrDriver]

With Windows 8.1.1 no need really for Start Eight, etc.

For non touch screens it boots much like Windows 7 and the start button is back along with other features found in Windows 7.

It is what Windows 8 should have been when first released.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
I generally agree with what you're saying but Windows 95 was hardly a flop. More like Windows 95 was good, and Windows 98 was better.

The original 95 had no 32 bit support, no USB or AGP support it wasn't until later releases that it became really usable.
98 wasn't that great either until 98 SE. I only run Windows on 2 PC's now and only because of drivers on one and a program to eliminate the region codes on DVD on the other otherwise its OS X and Linux.
I haven't booted into Windows in a long time and hate it when i have to.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
For non touch screens it boots much like Windows 7 and the start button is back along with other features found in Windows 7.


Does 8.1.1 offer the full Windows Start Menu? I was not aware that it does. I've heard rumors that it will return in 8.2 (or whatever the Fall 2014 update is called).

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