New Computer Build -- Win8 or Win7?

[JJ24]

Building a new desktop computer after Christmas or at the first of the new year.

Primary use for the computer is gaming and of course general use...
Games I've recently been playing... Borderlands 2, Call of Duty, XCom:EU, Guild Wars 2, World of Tanks.

I'm not concerned about adjusting to the new look, user interface... My main concerns are compatability, stability, and security... I've been using Win 7 since it first came out with never a problem or worry, I haven't had to reinstall it on my current computer in over 4 years!! 0 OS related issues (Had a ram slot go back on MB that played havok with everything but thats not Win7 fault...)

Sooo... I'm going to have to buy a new copy of Windows either 7 or 8 when I do this new build... Which should I do??

 

[smakme7757]

Personally I'd say go with Windows 8 - So far i haven't had any problems with Windows 8. In the beginning i did have a few problem, but since I've updated my drivers everything has been perfectly fine on my desktop which is used pretty much only for gaming. I play all major AAA titles and some older games, all of which work perfectly fine.

You should be able to grab Windows 8 for just $50 if you have a previous copy of Windows 7 via the Windows 8 upgrade deal.

You can read about a few of the new or updated security features in Windows 8 here: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/se...d-know-about-windows-8-security-features/7900

 

[pmv]

I'm probably going for win7.

I don't like the look of 8 myself and Metro just seems annoying.

But if that doesn't bother you, you might as well go with 8. To be fair, the only compatibility issues are the inevitable problems with drivers for some hardware, while security is, I believe, improved slightly with 8 vs 7.

 

[Snoop]

I would go with Windows 8 and use start8 to make it function like 7.

 

[kleinkinstein]

I would go with Windows 8 and use start8 to make it function like 7.

Silly logic. Needing a patch to act like 7. Just run 7. Unless of course, you like your desktop to function like an enormous stupid smartphone.

 

[lxskllr]

Silly logic. Needing a patch to act like 7. Just run 7. Unless of course, you like your desktop to function like an enormous stupid smartphone.

But Win8 is Windows. I'd never buy into old tech for a new build. If Win7's already owned, a good case can be made for not upgrading, but if a license needs to be purchased, you might as well get the latest, or get out now. My vote is for getting out now(GNU/Linux). Otherwise, Win8.

 

[Snoop]

Silly logic. Needing a patch to act like 7. Just run 7. Unless of course, you like your desktop to function like an enormous stupid smartphone.

It's sound logic. Win8 has improvements for desktop. With Start8 it functions just like Win7 with improvements. It looks horrible with the flat colors and the Metro UI is a complete joke but the desktop works fine with a start menu replacement. Besides, Win8 is cheaper than Win7.

 

[mikeymikec]

nvm

 

[Mem]

Personally I'd say go with Windows 8 - So far i haven't had any problems with Windows 8. In the beginning i did have a few problem, but since I've updated my drivers everything has been perfectly fine on my desktop which is used pretty much only for gaming. I play all major AAA titles and some older games, all of which work perfectly fine.

You should be able to grab Windows 8 for just $50 if you have a previous copy of Windows 7 via the Windows 8 upgrade deal.

You can read about a few of the new or updated security features in Windows 8 here: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/se...d-know-about-windows-8-security-features/7900

Go with Win8 no brainer,better security,improved features, cheaper,snappier etc...


I use Win8 for gaming too ie Guild Wars 2,BG:EE,Firefall beta,Planetside 2,XCOM,ME3,Dishonored,Witcher 2,Diablo 3,Rift,Star Wars old Republic,Civilizations 4 and a lot more etc..no issues in gaming.


You don't need a third party modded start button menu,infact I don't even miss it now, Win8 is very customizable and once you learn the OS you realize you can do anything like you can in Win7 etc....

You can make shortcuts on Win8 desktop ,pin programs to taskbar etc just like Win7,so is desktop friendly,anybody that says different does not know how to use it,you can even put Shut Down,Restart,Note Pad etc...on Win+X(Win8 basic start menu,right click in left bottom corner)) or Metro tiles.

http://www.howtogeek.com/113775/add-shutdown-and-reboot-to-the-windows-8-winx-menu/

 

[bigrash]

I'd go with Windows 8 if you're building a new rig. No point in sticking to the old.

 

[dagamer34]

Windows 8, unless you want to be one if those people who stuck with Windows XP until 7 came out.

 

[mikeymikec]

Windows 8, unless you want to be one if those people who stuck with Windows XP until 7 came out.

I'm trying to figure out the stigma you're trying to attach to this statement.

Heaven forbid staying with something that works.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/se...d-know-about-windows-8-security-features/7900

If UEFI secure boot + Win8 means no more bootblock viruses, then yes, I would agree. Time will tell.

The in-built PDF reader sounds like a good idea what with Adobe's security track record , though SumatraPDF works for me.

"Improved ASLR" sounds like something that Win7 ought to have been patched with, but hey-ho. I wonder how much Win7's ASLR implementation is being bypassed / worked around.

Btw - has anyone read about Windows Blue and MS's change to a rapid release schedule?

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you like Microsoft's ability to delete files off of your computer, then vote Windows 8. I voted GNU/Linux myself in the poll.

 

[applesj4924usa]

would go with win8

 

[nemesismk2]

Windows 8, unless you want to be one if those people who stuck with Windows XP until 7 came out.

I still have windows xp and retired windows 7 for ubuntu lol

 

[colonelciller]

windows 7 professional (not home) IMHO

or you could take the advice of the $hill$ and go with 8

 

[colonelciller]

Windows 8, unless you want to be one if those people who stuck with Windows XP until 7 came out.

"those people" were the smart ones...

 

[cmaMath13]

You can do everything you want in Windows 7 in Windows 8, so why not take the plunge?

 

[JJ24]

Thanks everyone for voting and responding... Seems like a pretty close race.

For those that voted Linux are you able to play games on that without doing some complicated dual boot / virtual machine stuff?

If you like Microsoft's ability to delete files off of your computer, then vote Windows 8. I voted GNU/Linux myself in the poll.

Larry... Can you provide more info on this comment about MS deleting files off your computer? Links to a reputable source would be best.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

or you could take the advice of the $hill$ and go with 8

Well, count me in as another shill...lol

My new PC boots in under 10 seconds into Metro and it isn't a top end piece of hardware by any means. Metro is so easy, clean, and quick that, quite frankly, I would feel like I am using a 90's computer using anything else at this point. OP, if you are looking for a computer to use for entertainment then Windows 8 is the only way to go. In my experience it has been plug and play with everything that I have hooked up with it and you can easily drop to desktop if you need to do any advanced work. The nice thing is the computer basically recognized every piece of software as an app so you can just type the name while on your Metro screen and pull it right up, pin it to Metro/Start, and it will be there as long as you need it.

It is the most accessible productivity software you could ever ask for. Granted, I am not uber 1337 hacker or anything, but I can go inside out on Windows and I would not go back at this point for anything. My wife loves it, too. She kicks me off to play Diablo3 every night...lol

 

[lxskllr]

For those that voted Linux are you able to play games on that without doing some complicated dual boot / virtual machine stuff?

A lot of games are playable, but perhaps not the games you wanted. The primary reason to use GNU/Linux is to have freedom in computing, and not be at the mercy of a single company. There's no backdoors, and no phoning home. You may have heard about the controversy regarding Ubuntu sending search results to their servers, and forwarding them to Amazon? Well, if that were Windows, or another proprietary package, you'd just have to suck it up. Since GNU/Linux gives you freedom, you can remove those unwanted features, and take control of your computing.

GNU/Linux isn't always the most /convenient/ choice, but it's the most powerful, and free choice. Any limitations are purely technical, and not because a company told you "no". That freedom is the most overlooked feature. The ability/inability to run specific programs is a triviality when compared to being unrestricted.

Larry... Can you provide more info on this comment about MS deleting files off your computer? Links to a reputable source would be best.

http://www.everything-microsoft.com/2011/12/08/microsoft-remotely-delete-windows-8-apps/

Edit:
See this thread for an example of being restricted, and the damaging effects of proprietary software...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2288401

Threads popup all the time with people dealing with activation hassles. That's considered routine, and something a computer user "just has to deal with". That's nonsense. No one should have to deal with that. You should be free to use you machine as you like, and your machine should work for YOU, not some unrelated third party.

 

[NTMBK]

A lot of games are playable, but perhaps not the games you wanted. The primary reason to use GNU/Linux is to have freedom in computing, and not be at the mercy of a single company. There's no backdoors, and no phoning home. You may have heard about the controversy regarding Ubuntu sending search results to their servers, and forwarding them to Amazon? Well, if that were Windows, or another proprietary package, you'd just have to suck it up. Since GNU/Linux gives you freedom, you can remove those unwanted features, and take control of your computing.

GNU/Linux isn't always the most /convenient/ choice, but it's the most powerful, and free choice. Any limitations are purely technical, and not because a company told you "no". That freedom is the most overlooked feature. The ability/inability to run specific programs is a triviality when compared to being unrestricted.

http://www.everything-microsoft.com/2011/12/08/microsoft-remotely-delete-windows-8-apps/

Edit:
See this thread for an example of being restricted, and the damaging effects of proprietary software...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2288401

Threads popup all the time with people dealing with activation hassles. That's considered routine, and something a computer user "just has to deal with". That's nonsense. No one should have to deal with that. You should be free to use you machine as you like, and your machine should work for YOU, not some unrelated third party.

You could have just said "no, you can't play most games", it would have saved a lot of time. :awe:

 

[lxskllr]

You could have just said "no, you can't play most games", it would have saved a lot of time. :awe:

I could have, but that would miss a lot of the point. Comparing it to Windows via a boolean choice of games or no games is(or should be imo) the wrong question. On that single factor, one could conclude that GNU/Linux is just a shitty Windows knock-off, and is only useful to cheapskates who don't want to pay for software. The (usual)lack of cost is just a pleasant happenstance. The freedom is what makes it worth running, but is the hardest for an outsider to see. You can't put freedom in a box, or load it into a program menu, but when you use it, there's no better feeling.

 

[hhhd1]

Windows 7 home premium is cheaper, and it appears that windows 7 home + windows 8 pro upgrade is about the same price as windows 8 pro.

Voted win7premium obviously.

 

[Blueychan]

Windows 8

Better OS than 7 and less $$$