Want a new laptop but do I want Windows 8?

[aczlan]

I also learned the lesson that it was usually problematic to upgrade OS on 'old' hardware on Windows based machines. Too many headaches to get everything working just to be as good as before... something is wrong with that. Why should OS advancement/improvements pretty much render last generation hardware obsolete? I haven't experienced this with Mac... yet, but I am not saying it won't eventually bite me as well. I just upgraded to OSX Maverick (free) and it is great! No issues so far... Is this ever the case with Windows OS upgrades? Never been absolutely smooth for me.

Going from XP to 7 on Dell Optiplexes (GX620, 745, 755, 760) and Latitudes (D620, D630, 64xx) or to 8 has been relatively painless (just download the updates from the Dell support site). With most hardware under Windows 7/8, I have been able to download updates from Windows Update once I get a network driver installed. Going from 2000 to XP was also fairly painless.
Going from 95, 98, NT, ME, etc was problematic, but there have been many improvements since then.

Re: Norton/Macfee, I avoid both whenever possible as they seem to cause more problems than they solve.

Aaron Z

 

[mj007]

I gave up on Windows several years ago and got a Mac - never looked back :dance1:

 

[troutsqueezer]

I gave up on Windows several years ago and got a Mac - never looked back :dance1:

Why would you look back? There's nothing to see. Like you said, you gave up. Those of of us who didn't give up and have tamed the beast are rewarded with endless possibilities in terms of file manipulation, media handling, programming and have money left over for important things like Miley Cyrus MP3's. Oh, that's right, I don't have to pay for those either since I'm not restricted to iTunes. :laughing:

 

[dragoneggs]

Why would you look back? There's nothing to see. Like you said, you gave up. Those of of us who didn't give up and have tamed the beast are rewarded with endless possibilities in terms of file manipulation, media handling, programming and have money left over for important things like Miley Cyrus MP3's. Oh, that's right, I don't have to pay for those either since I'm not restricted to iTunes. :laughing:

Restricted to iTunes? I have 2800+ CDs acquired from various means. Accessible by my Mac among other devices but hardly restricted . While you are 'taming' a beast some of us more civilized type are enjoying tranquility! :laughing:

 

[houstonscott]

Restricted to iTunes? I have 2800+ CDs acquired from various means. Accessible by my Mac among other devices but hardly restricted . While you are 'taming' a beast some of us more civilized type are enjoying tranquility! :laughing:

just remember he describes his PC operating system as a beast. The way you tame the beast is to kill it, buy a Mac. He thinks he is more knowledgeable of computers because he likes fussing in the operating system, nothing could be further from the truth. The more you understand about Mac the more you learn windows anything is the clunker, tough pill to swallow after a lifetime learning to tame the beast though. HS

 

[Larry Caldwell]

The bottom line is that people who are technically inclined should stick to a Mac. If upgrading the video card is something you might do, buy a PC. I had a Mac once and it drove me nuts, but then I dual boot a Linux partition and know how to write unix scripts.

 

[aczlan]

The bottom line is that people who are technically inclined should stick to a Mac. If upgrading the video card is something you might do, buy a PC. I had a Mac once and it drove me nuts, but then I dual boot a Linux partition and know how to write unix scripts.

I think you missed a not in there (ie: The bottom line is that people who are NOT technically inclined should stick to a Mac)...
Otherwise I agree IF they have someone who is Mac inclined to do their tech support AND they aren't used to the Windows interface...
My inlaws tried going from XP on an ancient desktop to OSX on an iMac and hated it. Switched them to Win 7 in Bootcamp and I have had to touch the computer ~4 times since (mostly when the power went out and they didnt remember where the power button was or when the grandkids broke the mouse).

Aaron Z

 

[Soundguy]

I agree. Xp was pretty user frieldly. it's what i setup for my mid 80's MIL...

 

[downsizingnow48]

I spent 15 years in the building trades as a carpenter and contractor. I rebuilt the engines and/or transmissions in the first half dozen cars I owned. I think I qualify as technically inclined. I prefer a mac for the same reason I prefer a Model 77 wormdrive, it does what it is supposed to do day after day with no drama. I spend my time working with it instead of on it. Not caring to become proficient with Windows is not a character flaw.

 

[Soundguy]

just a question here. but with a mac. what if you suddenly bought software that wanted a different video card. on a pc desktop you just run to best buy.. pay the 60$ and come home and swap it.

on a mac?