windows 7 or 8?

[nageov3t]

so, after years of running on a pirated OS, I finally want to go legit.

this fall, I'm planning on upgrading my system drives to SSD and at the same time, I'm going to buy an OEM version of Windows.

I'm wondering, though... 7 today or wait for 8?

this will be on a desktop. I don't really do anything crazy, just gaming and working from home (which doesn't involve anything beyond opening a remote desktop session into my work computer)

 

[Dahak]

I would just got with win7. If you want to any time between now and jan 2013 you can upgrade for $40

If you have not tried win8 you can get the release preview or you can try the 90-day enterprise eval.
Only downside of the enterprise eval is you have to do a full format again if you want to stick with win8 as you cannot upgrade from it

 

[jhansman]

Dude, how can we possibly tell you which to use? Still waaaaay too much FUD swirling about over Win8, whereas Win7 has proven itself to be a great OS (barring the dopey search feature). Me? I use 64-bit Win7 everyday, almost all day, and can't wait to see what Win8 is really like, day in and day out. The Preview left me with enough curiosity to go for the upgrade. YMMV.

 

[lxskllr]

Debian...

Ok, ok... I'd get Win8. I prefer 7, but 8's newer. No point in buying old software.

 

[gus6464]

Been using W8 for 3 weeks that I got from Technet sub and it's pretty much W7 with a new skin. Takes a bit of getting used to but in the end it's still good old W7 underneath.

 

[Batmeat]

stick with 7 for now, but buy windows 8 while it's cheap and don't install it (the promo deal runs out jan 2013). Let the bugs get worked out, then install it and update. This is what i'm going to do.

 

[corkyg]

The comment that 8 is 7 with a new skin is fairly on target. I just can't see adding another layer in between me and my programs. Translation? I'll stay with 7.

 

[Auric]

Correct me if I'm wrong but... the W8 license can be used for W7 (but not the reverse) In the meantime, W7 can be run for 30-120 days before activating. So buy W8 at that time, make a backup image of W7 then upgrade to try it out and still be able to revert without wasting your setup time.

 

[mechBgon]

My viewpoint: I'd recommend Win8 for these reasons:

1. new security features, some of which don't sound like they're going to be backported to Win7, e.g. AppContainer.

2. new licensing option: System Builder License! It's supposed to be priced like OEM, but the Win8 System Builder license can legitimately be moved to your new system when you upgrade motherboards and stuff. Win7 OEM licenses aren't supposed to be moved. Yes it can be done, but if your goal is a legit license... Win8 System Builder.

3. if the Win8 GUI drives you insane, you can plunk down $4.99 for Stardock Start8 and make Win8 work like Win7, or close enough to live with. Or there's Classic Shell for free at SourceForge.

4. fresh lifecycle. Might as well get your full 10 years' worth.

Win8 is also supposed to be better with SSDs, and it has cloud features you might have real uses for.

Correct me if I'm wrong but... the W8 license can be used for W7 (but not the reverse) In the meantime, W7 can be run for 30-120 days before activating. So buy W8 at that time, make a backup image of W7 then upgrade to try it out and still be able to revert without wasting your setup time.

Traditionally, Microsoft only grants downgrade rights in the OEM licenses, which *are* permanently married to the first motherboard you activate on (from a legit/non-legit standpoint). I'd rather have System Builder and not be restricted that way.

 

[Angel2]

I personally Like Windows 7 and WINDOWS 8 is not mature Yet.
So Buy windows 7 OEM license.

 

[TheStu]

My viewpoint: I'd recommend Win8 for these reasons:

1. new security features, some of which don't sound like they're going to be backported to Win7, e.g. AppContainer.

2. new licensing option: System Builder License! It's supposed to be priced like OEM, but the Win8 System Builder license can legitimately be moved to your new system when you upgrade motherboards and stuff. Win7 OEM licenses aren't supposed to be moved. Yes it can be done, but if your goal is a legit license... Win8 System Builder.

3. if the Win8 GUI drives you insane, you can plunk down $4.99 for Stardock Start8 and make Win8 work like Win7, or close enough to live with. Or there's Classic Shell for free at SourceForge.

4. fresh lifecycle. Might as well get your full 10 years' worth.

Win8 is also supposed to be better with SSDs, and it has cloud features you might have real uses for.



Traditionally, Microsoft only grants downgrade rights in the OEM licenses, which *are* permanently married to the first motherboard you activate on (from a legit/non-legit standpoint). I'd rather have System Builder and not be restricted that way.

I agree on all points. Windows 8 does boot much faster on modern systems with SSDs. I wish that Start8 was a little different looking to show the Windows 8 desktop UI design, but whatever, it is worth $5 to me.

I actually don't mind the start screen concept, but since I usually jump straight to the desktop anyway, I might as well get a start menu while I'm at it.

 

[Rio Rebel]

And all else being equal (or at least similar), the fact that I can upgrade for only $40 to Windows 8 compared to $100 for Windows 7 is a big point. You just have to have any Windows OS from XP forward to upgrade.

If I could buy Windows 7 for the same price, I'd seriously consider doing it...but this tips it to Win8 for me.

 

[Auric]

Boot time is only relevant during sequential installations that require restarts and even then the differences ain't gonna be noticeable. Indeed, Windows quick presentation of the desktop is disingenuous since it does not really represent full readiness. I would not be surprised if it could actually be optimized for quicker completion if the desktop presentation was not prioritized (for obvious marketing reasons).

 

[Pretty Cool]

The comment that 8 is 7 with a new skin is fairly on target

But of course, it is literally not true. Windows 8 is not Windows 7 with just a different interface. It is more like Microsoft added the Desktop to x86 WinRT so you can run legacy Windows applications. Hence, Microsoft is mixing 2 operating systems together. This also means that Microsoft cannot remove Metro easily because it is the operating system.

However, those who prefer to only use the Desktop can as mentioned use Classic Shell or Start8. Using either of these should eliminate the interface complaints for most everybody.

 

[HeXen]

by the time you install and reinstall a few apps and drivers, the few performance advantages of W8 may likely show little difference in real world use

 

[gitano]

For a normal windows user ill say go for Windows 7.

But.. if you are a windows Power-user windows 8 got some nice new features, i dont like metro UI or the app store but you can pass on that easy (start8 or Clasic shell), and still benefit from better virtualization, improved multi-monitor, new file explorer, way better recovery options, or the cool new Storage Spaces among many others..

Windows 8 its not "only" windows 7 + #*@% up metro UI, they got some really nice new and improved features. You eliminate the metro UI and there its left a really nice operating system.

On wikipedia there is a list of new features if interested in know all
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_8

Let's keep the F-bombs out of the tech forums, thanks everyone.

AnandTech Moderator
mechBgon

 

[ArizonaSteve]

Sticking with Windows 7. I think Windows 8 will be a flop on the desktop, so will wait and see what Windows 9 brings to the table.

 

[HeXen]

For a normal windows user ill say go for Windows 7.

But.. if you are a windows Power-user windows 8 got some nice new features, i dont like metro UI or the app store but you can pass on that easy (start8 or Clasic shell), and still benefit from better virtualization, improved multi-monitor, new file explorer, way better recovery options, or the cool new Storage Spaces among many others..

Windows 8 its not "only" windows 7 + fucked up metro UI, they got some really nice new and improved features. You eliminate the metro UI and there its left a really nice operating system.

On wikipedia there is a list of new features if interested in know all
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_8

Or to look at it another way, downgrading to W8.
Frankly the features they added vs what they removed sounds more like a concession than an upgrade

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_8

 

[Pretty Cool]

With Windows 8, Microsoft is essentially giving you a 2nd operating system. I doubt they will add a 3rd OS in Windows 9. No, they will not remove the 2nd one in 9 either. So, there is no way they can give you more for your money the next time.

Windows 8 underneath is now a mobile OS. It is NOT Windows 7 with a new skin. It is like booting a x86 WinRT device. Obviously if Microsoft did not do this, people would complain about how long these new devices takes to boot compared to other mobile OS solutions. So compared to previous editions of Windows, Windows 8 should in most cases consistently boot faster.

 

[gitano]

Or to look at it another way, downgrading to W8.
Frankly the features they added vs what they removed sounds more like a concession than an upgrade

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_8

True, all depends on the features each one uses, on the list of removed features the only i miss its the Start Button, and can have it back on 3rd party software easy.