Windows 7 or 8

[Jonathan Mahler]

Windows 7 pro 64 119 $

Windows 8 pro 64 183$

Is it worth it ?

[MegaDave91]

Do you need Pro?

[Liam-McShane]

Get Windows 7 since it's cheaper, otherwise i would recommend 8.

[kuzimins]

Get the standart Windows 8.

[mgsstar]

I would personally get Windows 8 so you won't have to upgrade for a while. Also Windows 8 has faster boot times and better performance in games.  But the regular windows 8 is good enough imo: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows/compare

[joelthezombie15]

i have had both, and theres a few differences but pretty much everything is just decoration, get whatever you think looks nicer. 

[Jonathan Mahler]

The prises is rong its

Windows 7 pro 64 183 $

Windows 8 pro 64 119$

[Samdb]

Just go with home premium.

[mgsstar]

The prises is rong its

Windows 7 pro 64 183 $

Windows 8 pro 64 119$

If Windows 8 is cheaper, I would go for Windows 8 instead of Windows 7 because it is newer.

[Swegly]

OEM Windows 8

[Guest]

PLZ get 8 and install ClassicShell

http://www.classicshell.net/

so you will get back the start menue and a direct desktop boot.

Win 8 is so much faster than 7

[Guest]

The prises is rong its

Windows 7 pro 64 183 $

Windows 8 pro 64 119$

standard windows 8.1

[bosnian_guy]

Get Windows 8.

Edit: or use Linux

[Sneaky]

Windows 8.1

[91wow]

Why do you need pro? Are you using more than 32GB's of RAM? If not go with regular and save some money. 

[GoodBytes]

Get Windows 8.

Its a great OS as is. there is a learning curve, but this is the direction that Microsoft is going.

The big issue with Windows 8, I think can be sum up by 2 points:

-> Microsoft with Windows 8 went ahead of its time. There is no transition process. While the future is mobile systems and desktop is indeed shrinking, you can't expect people to just learn something drastically (for them) different, even though it's similar. Windows 8.1 imrpoves things, and the coming update of Windows 8.x will continue to improve things in that reguard. But once you pass th elearning curve, it's a great OS. If you can't be bothered learning something new, you can get those Start Menu replacement programs.

-> Lack of focus on power users and enterprises. But that was expected, Microsoft knows that companies follows a 6 year life cycle. Windows 9 will be more power user and enterprise focused. Next Windows 8 update, based on leaks, already displays a bit of this, probably due to pressure.

[deathjester]

Windows 7 pro 64 119 $

Windows 8 pro 64 183$

Is it worth it ?

 

On a new purchase always go with Win 8 unless you use a work program that doesn't work yet and you depend on it for a living. Win 9 can't possibly be as bad as Win 8 launch was and you will probably get a discount or possible a free upgrade to the OS. At the worst Win 8 will basically be Win 9, just like Vista was win 7 after patches. 

 

If gaming? That swings bigger in Win 8's favor. Games like Witcher 3 will take advantage of the new direct x and won't be mantle. MS is bringing a "beloved gaming franchise to Win 8" (prob gears of war or halo). The problem people have with win 8 have nothing to do with gaming for the most part. 

 

Win 8 isn't horrible now with 8.1, it just isn't worth the upgrade if you already have 7 and decent hardware. Not yet anyways. We will probably hold out for 9. 

 

If buying a new OS and you are a gamer? This isn't even a question. You simply buy win 8 over 7. Not because it is better at gaming now, but it WILL be and already is on one game. It is a slight boost, but it is a boost, and will save you having to unlock cores, apply hotfixes, etc.

[macpro622776]

There are so many threads on this already. Perhaps you could have a search and find more there.

[ygohome]

8.1 Pro 64bit Retail

 

here was my reasoning...

 

- WIN 8.1 Pro Retail ... originally wanted Win7ProRetail but it is $299 and getting harder to find;    Win81ProRetail is $199.  I wouldn't even consider 8.

 

- RETAIL because I didn't want to lock it to a motherboard.  I don't care much about Microsoft support.  I've used their support one time back in 2009.  But with RETAIL if you consider how long I'll have the key, I can later move it to a different system or upgrade the mobo,etc.  We are enthusiasts and having a migratable OS will be nice years down the road.

 

- PRO because I often RDP to my machine if I'm out of the office or in another part of the building.

 

Spent a couple hours with 8.1 after installing it and it is pretty nice.  I like it.

[GoodBytes]

Then I have some good news.

The actual name of the OEM license that you get at the computer store is 'System Builder', but stores called it OEM, as it was always called that, and beside the name, it's the same in term of license. HOWEVER, and this is why Microsoft rename it to not be confused with the OEM license that you get form HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc: is that you can change the license, for free, 100% legit, to Personal Use. And that will allow you to transfer your license to another computer.

It's all explained at Microsoft license page in a clear and simple mater, and how to upgrade that System Builder license (basically just agree another license agreement ) http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx

So now, you have more reasons to get Win8

Keep the saving for when Win9 comes out. Watch out for specials when it comes out. And now, you'll be up to date now until Win10

[ygohome]

Then I have some good news.

The actual name of the OEM license that you get at the computer store is 'System Builder', but stores called it OEM, as it was always called that, and beside the name, it's the same in term of license. HOWEVER, and this is why Microsoft rename it to not be confused with the OEM license that you get form HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc: is that you can change the license, for free, 100% legit, to Personal Use. And that will allow you to transfer your license to another computer.

It's all explained at Microsoft license page in a clear and simple mater, and how to upgrade that System Builder license (basically just agree another license agreement ) http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx

So now, you have more reasons to get Win8

Keep the saving for when Win9 comes out. Watch out for specials when it comes out. And now, you'll be up to date now until Win10

Cool!  So, if I understand that correctly,  we can buy the Win8.1 OEM System Builder version  (at OEM prices), and then accept MS's "Personal Use Licence" using those links...  and that Person Use License allows us to later move the OS to a different machine or upgrade to a different motherboard?  That is great!

 

 

What is the difference between OEM and RETAIL then?  Just the added Support with RETAIL?  I just bought the Retail version last week.  I feel like a sucker. lol

[Aniallation]

Win 7 = classic UI, easy to get at on a desktop, stable, lots of software support

Win 8 = faaaaaast boot times. Win8 on HDD boots faster then Win7 on SSD on the same computer (Lenovo M58e)

[GoodBytes]

Cool!  So, if I understand that correctly,  we can buy the Win8.1 OEM System Builder version  (at OEM prices), and then accept MS's "Personal Use Licence" using those links...  and that Person Use License allows us to later move the OS to a different machine or upgrade to a different motherboard?  That is great!

 

 

What is the difference between OEM and RETAIL then?  Just the added Support with RETAIL?  I just bought the Retail version last week.  I feel like a sucker. lol

Yea! Well. the difference is that the activation system doesn't know that you agreed at the license. So you'll still have to phone activate your Windows 8 with the System Builder OEM version. But the difference that they can't refuse the activation, as you can point the Personal Use license, so you save yourself that, is they ask. And of course support and box.