New build: Windows 8.1 or Windows 7?

[ShadowTiger]

Hi, folks,

I'm doing a new desktop build and I will be installing Windows on it. I have been using Windows 7 on my current, older desktop and have been happy with it.

I've read a number of articles and forum posts and have walked away without any good direction: should I install Windows 8.1 (timing will be good for GA) or Windows 7?

I'll add a couple of points:
* I'm a gamer, but not hard core. I also do a lot of photoshop, simple video/sound editing, and general office/web stuff on my desktop. But by far the gaming is what's going to push the system the most, with the video/sound a close second.
* This new build will include SSDs which is a first for me, so I don't know if that impacts the answer

I basically want to know what I'll *gain* by going to Windows 8.1 compared to Windows 7 and what the *pain* will be. I'm not adverse to learning the new UI paradigm so that's not a big deal to me, and there are always tools I can use to make the system look and behave the way I want. (Another way to say those two things: I'm not interested in religious fanboi answers. I've seen quite enough of that in the forums already.)

I'm sure I'm not alone in this!

Thanks,
ST

 

[showb1z]

Get Windows 8, it'd be silly to get a 4 year old OS at this point.
The only thing people argue about is the UI, but that's easily fixed. It's an improvement everywhere else.
And for games, DirectX 11.2 only comes on W8. Yet to be seen if that'll actually matter in practice, but still.

 

[SPBHM]

it's fresher, there is a lot of changes, some are quite visible, like Windows Explorer, copying files is much better, the task manager is nicer, most people will agree that the system just feels quicker, you have support for newer stuff like DX 11.2, others are perhaps not visible but I would expect MS to be improving in other aspects.

I see no reason to stay with Win 7, even if perhaps the reasons to upgrade are not that amazing.

I've been using 8 for almost a year I guess, it's a solid OS, the interface is not perfect (I would say the same for windows 7) but it's not a disaster,

 

[ShadowTiger]

Thanks showb1z and SPBHM - those were exactly my thoughts so far. I don't mind the UI (and/or I can find ways around it) and that seems to be the biggest hang-up people have. I also think Windows 8 has better SSD support as well, and I'll be using the newest Office bundle so it seemed like Windows 8 was the way to go. I was wondering if there were any reasons (besides the UI) not to do it and it doesn't sound like it. Anyone else?

Thanks,
Peter

 

[Mem]

I've used virtually all operating systems ie Dos 6.22,Win3,1,Win95,Win98,2K,XP,Vista,Win7,Win8 and even Linux distros,but to answer your question happy using Win8 as a gamer,no issues and I've a lot of games installed,infact even my software all works fine,in general if it works on Win7 should work with Win8 just fine.

DX11.2 is coming to Win8.1(free upgrade for Win8 owners) and Xbox One so gamers are getting something new down the road.

Yes you guessed Win8 or 8.1(depending when you buy it since Win8.1 is not officially out yet) is my answer.
I forgot to say also improved security over Win7 as well so another plus point.

 

[iGas]

What work in Win8 are games, surfing the net, and touch screen. Everything eles work much better in Win7 abeit it is a bit slower at boot up than Win8. Playing DVD/blue ray is free in Win7 via Media Center. You must upgrade to Win8 Pro to buy Media Center because it is not bundle in Win8. Productivity is much slower and out right fustrating in Win8.

 

[XiandreX]

I was in the same situation a while back and decided to go Windows 8 Pro 64bit for one simple reason.
Investing in a 4 year old OS is silly. The UI will get tweaked, in fact I use Classic shell for the minor quirks.

The one thing that Windows 8 Pro has is the ability to downgrade to Windows 7 if you absolutely must. The responsiveness is great. There are too many improvements behind the UI to ignore Win8.

 

[ShadowTiger]

So it sounds like the overwhelming majority suggest Windows 8 is the way to go, and based on the points I have to agree. Thanks, all!

 

[Binky]

If you already own a Win7 license, it seems silly to buy a Win8 license, since Win7 is still pretty damned good and it won't outlive its usefulness anytime soon.

If you don't own any license, it seems silly to invest in the older OS. I'd vote Win8 if this is the case.

 

[showb1z]

Productivity is much slower and out right fustrating in Win8.

How is W8 less productive in any way once you are on the desktop?

 

[Mem]

How is W8 less productive in any way once you are on the desktop?

It's not IMHO,some people avoid Metro because they hate it,personally I use it as another tool and have all my games,software within one or two clicks max even when on the old desktop UI,Win8 makes things quite easy if you bother to customise your shortcuts,organise games etc in both Metro and old Desktop UI,produtivity is down to how you organise your OS etc...

My Win8 is fine on productivity since I have everything organised and as I stated within one or two clicks,nothing hard about that.

Btw even on Win7 and Vista I organised my software,it does makes sense and everything easy .

 

[Quantos]

The thing with Windows 8 is that it's really not easy to argue against its installation. The most common argument against it is the UI, which is indeed not necessarily for everyone. However, this argument is quite feeble, as UI replacements are numerous and easy to install. Who would argue against Windows 8 when it can be essentially converted into a faster and better Windows 7? That said, 8.1 also fixes some issues with 8, so the argument is even weaker.

Thus, go with 8.1, and worst case is that you install a UI replacement ^_^

 

[darkewaffle]

blue ray is free in Win7 via Media Center

Incorrect, fwiw.

I still have Win7 on my desktop but did install Win8 on my HTPC. Have not experienced any significant problems that I didn't get on Win7 at least lol; mostly related to trying to play games on a TV instead of a monitor, turns things funny at times.

 

[happysmiles]

Windows 8.1

I can't go back to 8 or 7 now.

 

[sze5003]

Windows 8.1

I can't go back to 8 or 7 now.

Is 8.1 out yet? I read in another thread here it was just test versions. Will it be a windows update type of deal or require a whole new install? I've been using classicshell and to me 8.1 doesn't look much different except a start button.

 

[ViRGE]

Is 8.1 out yet? I read in another thread here it was just test versions. Will it be a windows update type of deal or require a whole new install? I've been using classicshell and to me 8.1 doesn't look much different except a start button.

Win8.1 is only out as a preview right now. It doesn't ship until later this year.

As for distribution, it'll be distributed in a manner similar to how service packs have been distributed. Except it will be done through the Windows Store instead of Windows Update. In any case you're looking at a minor OS update, so you won't need a new install.

 

[sze5003]

Did they say how much they will charge, it should be free.

 

[ViRGE]

Did they say how much they will charge, it should be free.

It's free.

This is just Win8 SP1 with a different name. MS hasn't gone completely off their rockers here.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Just go with Windows 8. It's not nearly as *bad* as people are making it out to be. You can basically reconfigure it to be the same as Windows 7 with minimal effort. You may even find after some customization that you like the new start screen.

 

[blankslate]

Get Win 8 (update to 8.1 when it's out) and slap a UI customization on it.

That way you can don't have to learn a new interface if you don't want to or can get into it at your own pace.

Although the things I've seen and heard indicate that 8.1 has indeed improved the interface noticeably.

 

[Snoop]

I agree with the above poster. Get Windows 8, slap Start8/Classic Shell etc etc on it and profit. If you want to play with Metro it is there. If you want to get some serious work done you have a full windows 7 desktop experience.

 

[jaydee]

If it's working fine, I wouldn't upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 at this point.

But I also wouldn't fresh install 4-year old Windows 7 instead of new Windows 8 either unless it cost significantly less, or your choice was Win7Pro vs Win8 non-pro.

By installing Stardock's Start8 for $5 extra, I have had 0 pain with Win8Pro.
The gain is much improved "out of the box" driver support and it seems a bit less resource intensive. Obviously it's going to get MS's primary focus going forward with updates and support.

 

[corkyg]

Windows 8 now - then 8.1 when it is final and released.

 

[zCypher]

Definitely go with 8.