| Author | Content |
Pamgarden
Central, VA
(Zone 7b)
October 06, 2009
04:37 PM Post #7141974
| Is anyone contemplating changing over to the new Windows 7 Operating System? I must purchase a new desk top computer (thinking Dell), replacing a 2003 Gateway that crashed, and see that some with the Vista OS are eligible for upgrading to Windows 7, which Dell says is easily accomplished by the buyer once the software goes public on October 22, or Dell will make the change for me at that time and ship the computer then. Hate to wait. I'm not clear on whether that will change the sale price of the various computers they have listed.
I'm wondering whether to buy direct from the manufacturer (with or without the new Windows 7 OS) or get one from Costco, where I would definitely have to do the upgrade myself. I have heard that Costco has a very friendly return policy should the product not perform. I haven't heard one way or the other regarding the manufacturer's policy...just some minor carping about features of the Dell which would probably not be very meaningful to me, such as ultra-gaming technology and super graphics capability.
Also I don't know whether I would be able to get myself up and running with the new system and router for a laptop I already own. There is no transition of files to be done, as my desk top computer is unbootable. I did back up the entire system to an online service about ten days ago, so I should be able to get my pictures, personal files, etc. back. Since I left my job a couple years ago, I no longer consider myself in the least tech savvy and it cost me about $250 to get a techie person to come to the house and get up and running when I moved here. I'm not eager to attack this alone. I know I've got a lot going on here, but would be glad for any comments or advice. |
june_nmexico
Albuquerque, NM
(Zone 7a)
October 06, 2009
04:49 PM Post #7142010
| We never ever buy the first version of any OS, but
that's just us. My husband is a computer tech and
he sets that rule.
|
Oldgardenrose
Salem, IL
(Zone 5b)
October 06, 2009
05:32 PM Post #7142122
| If you have Vista, keep it. OS upgrades are a pita since you must have a valid
OS, such as Vista or XP, on your pc before the upgrade will install even though
it is a complete system. Wait a year if you can before buying "7" to give MS
time to fix a thousand blunders.
Another consideration is some of your hardware may not have original drivers
compatible with "7". Downloaded updates may not have all the features of the
originals. HP printers were notorious about that. Generic drivers would not
have some of the extras HP put into their software. You can run into problems
with cameras also. |
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
October 06, 2009
09:58 PM Post #7143038
| My mom has been using win7 at her computer club and absolutely LOVES it.
the department that she volunteers for is going to buy her a computer [that she gets to pick out] but she's waiting til 7 comes out.
she says it's better than Vista ... I told her i'm still gonna have a hard time giving up XP. |
Pamgarden
Central, VA
(Zone 7b)
October 08, 2009
08:40 AM Post #7147445
| I like XP also. I've not heard anything good about Vista. Maybe I'll just go for one of the Vista XP OS desk computers and wait a couple of years before worrying about Windows 7. Does anyone have a suggestion for a website that discusses the new operating system? know it's not out to the public until 10/22, but there are still folks out there with the beta I believe. Thanks for your comments. |
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
October 08, 2009
09:04 AM Post #7147528
| Just google it... there are many sites that have reviews.
I used "Windows 7 Reviews" and many links came up.
cnet is a site i always use when reviewing anything... but there are quite a few others that came up too.
pcworld and zdnet are two other sites i read too.
happy hunting... |
linuxogre
Lancaster, PA
(Zone 6a)
October 08, 2009
11:41 AM Post #7147969
| Walter Mossberg gave Windows 7 a very positive review in todays Wall Street Journal. He put it as equal, or nearly so to Mac OS X. Considering how down he has been on Vista that is quite a turnaround. |
hart
Shenandoah Valley, VA
October 09, 2009
01:05 PM Post #7151702
| Pam, whatever you do, I wouldn't buy a new computer with XP. Eventually you're going to be in a position of having an OS that has little or no support or upgrades. And if you decide later to upgrade to 7, I read the other day you won't be able to do that from XP.
I've heard nothing but good things about Windows 7. I've had Vista on my new machine for a bit over a year and have no complaints about it at all, but it came already installed and I have Home Premium. According to what I've read, those who had problems with Vista were either upgrading on an older machine or were using Ultimate. Some people hate the persistent security popups but it's really easy to turn those off. Then there are a lot of people who just hate any new OS. I remember the same kind of bad reviews and complaining when XP was new. I think Vista is a definite improvement over XP and I was an XP fan when it was going through the usual I hate this reviews.
I've also read that 7 is faster and better than while using less memory and continuing the improvements found in Vista. If you wait another 13 days, you can get a new computer with 7 already installed and that might be the simplest thing to do.
I like this site for reasonable, non-hysterical reviews. Just search through their archives here for Windows 7. They also have a lot of useful how to articles.
http://www.vistanews.com/Archives/
And their new newsletter
http://www.win7news.net/Archives/ |
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
October 09, 2009
03:25 PM Post #7152144
| I didn't think you can even get a PC with XP anymore.
in Aug, I purchased a laptop for my youngest.. and it has Vista... I have not had any issues with it either, and eventually those pop ups quit popping up. |
senlarrs
Harrisburg, PA
(Zone 6a)
October 10, 2009
12:23 PM Post #7154792
| Agree completely with 'hart'. I have Vista Ultimate and have no problems with it. I liked it but I do not think I will upgrade to Win7. Just tired and perhaps, older...these new OS just keep popping up!LOL
Larry |
Pamgarden
Central, VA
(Zone 7b)
October 12, 2009
02:05 PM Post #7161691
| Thank you Hart and tcs and senlarrs,
I think I'll just wait the few days and get Windows 7. pam |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
October 20, 2009
01:32 PM Post #7190234
| In late summer my Dell, XP of 6 years laid down and died. After much comparison, wound up with a MacBook. I hesitated because it was $999.00 and the Dell laptops were so much cheaper. There is a reason for that. After comparing Apples to oranges (pun intended) for many days I soon realized that Mac comes preloaded with more programs than Windows even offers. By the time I had added everything to the Dell that Mac already had the price went to almost $1600.00 for the Dell.
Apple should do more actual comparisons in their ads. I erroneously believed Apple was higher priced. Not so when you compare the components. I have already upgraded to Snow Leopard and I couldn't be happier. Having purchased my first PC when windows 95 came out, I no longer consider myself a novice. Everything about this little jewel is above and beyond.
Christi |
Pamgarden
Central, VA
(Zone 7b)
October 24, 2009
04:04 PM Post #7204115
| Christi, I had a quick look at the MacBook online before coming here. It was around $1299, so I kind of dismissed it. I need to do some more reading. I have a Dell laptop with windows XP, and I don't know if the two are compatible. But you're right, the add ons to get a Dell to the same level was something I hadn't considered. The Mac is like going to look at a Mercedes after you've been considering a Ford. They sure are pretty. Pam |
MichaelZ
Portland, OR
(Zone 8a)
October 24, 2009
04:24 PM Post #7204176
| David Pogue of the New York Times gave it good reviews but with some reservations. I generally trust him. There are apparently ugrade problems from XP. Seems smooth from Vista. I see this as problematic cuz Vista got so much bad rap I stuck with XP. Now I feel stuck with XP till I buy or build a new computer. That's life in the slow lane. :-)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/personaltech/22... |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
October 24, 2009
05:39 PM Post #7204405
| Apple can even put both systems on your PC if you so desire. Mac is completely compatible with Windows albeit a better system. No need for multiple safety upgrades and programs. They had a special going on when I purchased mine and I also got a $229. iPod touch screen for free. Brought the actual price down even more.
Christi |
GeorgiaJo
Dallas, GA
(Zone 7b)
November 17, 2009
09:08 PM Post #7284396
| I installed Windows 7 (Ultimate) a couple of weeks ago on my 3 year old Dell. It's wonderful! |
