Which version of Windows 7?

[AngryMerchant]

This computer has been going along with XP long enough, and I don't want to install 115 Windows updates for my next format. Anyway, am I to assume most versions of Windows 7 are alright? Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit seems to be the least-expensive, and it's probably what my laptops are running (I don't exactly pay attention to the boot screen), but of course they're not desktops with various parts sitting around.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

Home is your best bet. 64 bit supports up to 16 GB of ram i think. Right now IMO its just as stable and reliable as XP was (is). Unless you need the extra features of Pro or Ultimate then go with Home Premium.

 

[newtekie1]

Professional or Ultimate is the only option right now IMO. AlienIsGOD is correct that Home Premium only supports 16GB, and if I'm going to put my money into anything, it shouldn't be artificially limitted to 16GB. We already have platforms on the market that take 32GB easily, so I wouldn't limit myself to 16GB.

Not to mention the other benefits of Professional, and that it isn't really that much more expensive. It is only $40 more, and way worth that.

 

[Aquinus]

If you're in the US, Pro is your best bet for 130 USD off of NewEgg. It's got everything Ultimate has except support for more system languages. If you're not planning on using > 16gb of ram, Home Premium should be fine, but honestly if you're already spending 100 dollars, might as well get the one that has everything.

 

[Mussels]

i say pro as well.

if you want to upgrade multiple systems, look into technet. you can get a bunch of keys for about $300 last time i checked (you just arent allowed to resell them)

 

[bmaverick]

Win7 x64 works well with the compatibility with older software. The really old stuff from 98SE is hit or miss to work.

 

[Widjaja]

I would suggest Pro for the OP as he is coming off XP.
Pro 64-bit has Windows XP in virtual mode while Home does not.

Could go for ultimate, but that depends on whether, the OP needs the extras.

 

[eidairaman1]

Pro Versions of Windows Namely Win XP-Win 7 have a lil more customizability and capability of disabling features not needed etc

 

[fullinfusion]

I was a Vista man and forced to sell my copy just for the fact that I couldnt install it back onto my system I hate migrating to a different version of windows but I must say W7 Home Premium 64Bit freaking kicks azz!!!

 

[eidairaman1]

I was a Vista man and forced to sell my copy just for the fact that I couldnt install it back onto my system I hate migrating to a different version of windows but I must say W7 Home Premium 64Bit freaking kicks azz!!!

Ya my Bros running it on his machine since September last year.

 

[mtosev]

how about waiting a few months and preordering windows 8? win8 will be released in Oct 2012

 

[Aquinus]

how about waiting a few months and preordering windows 8? win8 will be released in Oct 2012

Because not every wants their computer turned into a Windows phone. I will sooner completely move to linux than adopt Windows 8, unless I'm installing it on a pc with a touch screen.

 

[mtosev]

have fun with slower boot times. Win8 has improved boot times significantly.It's quite simple the sooner to get used to it the better for u, also I'm pretty sure that the Metro UI can be disabled or some app from some 3rd party company will pop up that will make windows 8 look like the older versions of windows

 

[qubit]

I hate crippled products, as at some point you'll really want that one feature that MS craftily took out of the crippled version. Therefore, I say get Ultimate and be done with it. It's not that expensive anyway.

Another thing you could do, is get a TechNet subscription. It'll cost you a bit more than that copy of Windows, but you'll get literally thousands of dollars worth of software for that price. That's every version of 7, Vista and XP with 5 keys each. Same thing with all their Office software and many others. Also, get a TechNet sub now or in the near future and you'll automatically get all the versions of Windows 8 when it's released in a few months.

Getting the TechNet sub is a no-brainer. And the best thing is that it's all legit.

 

[newtekie1]

Because not every wants their computer turned into a Windows phone. I will sooner completely move to linux than adopt Windows 8, unless I'm installing it on a pc with a touch screen.

You will be able to turn Metro off in the final version, so no reason to not use Win8 once it is out. I wouldn't upgrade from Win7 to it, because there really isn't a need, but I wouldn't avoid Win8 either.

have fun with slower boot times. Win8 has improved boot times significantly.It's quite simple the sooner to get used to it the better for u, also I'm pretty sure that the Metro UI can be disabled or some app from some 3rd party company will pop up that will make windows 8 look like the older versions of windows

I'm still using a traditional hard drive, and my boot times are under 30 seconds, I spend more time waiting for the computer to POST than I do for Windows to load. I've used Win8 as well, and the boot time is improved, but it definitely isn't significantly, maybe a few seconds at best.

 

[qubit]

You will be able to turn Metro off in the final version, so no reason to not use Win8 once it is out.

That would make the mother of all differences to me! It's literally make or break, basically.

I haven't heard this anywhere though and if anything the word is that you can't turn Metro off, so can you please tell me where you heard this?

 

[Mussels]

That would make the mother of all differences to me! It's literally make or break, basically.

I haven't heard this anywhere though and if anything the word is that you can't turn Metro off, so can you please tell me where you heard this?

people have been turning it off via a quick registry tweak since the first public versions.

 

[qubit]

people have been turning it off via a quick registry tweak since the first public versions.

I read that the registry tweak doesn't work on the latest customer preview and that it would be that way in the final version too. That's why intrigued that NT said it can.

If it can't, then I'll stay with 7 as long as possible - I'll be doing an 'XP' effectively, lol.

 

[Mussels]

I read that the registry tweak doesn't work on the latest customer preview and that it would be that way in the final version too. That's why intrigued that NT said it can.

If it can't, then I'll stay with 7 as long as possible - I'll be doing an 'XP' effectively, lol.

i'm very happy with 7, but 8 intruiges me because of the performance tweaks going into it for the tablets.

things like setting data limits on wifi connections, and disabling certain things on others (EG, theres a toggle to stop windows updates going on your 3G connection), the memory compression (shares redundant files in RAM, instead of loading multiple copies) and so on could really make a big difference to a heavy multitasker like me.

 

[Drone]

Get Win8 when it's ready. Because it's gonna cost 20% less if MS will keep their promise.

 

[qubit]

i'm very happy with 7, but 8 intruiges me because of the performance tweaks going into it for the tablets.

things like setting data limits on wifi connections, and disabling certain things on others (EG, theres a toggle to stop windows updates going on your 3G connection), the memory compression (shares redundant files in RAM, instead of loading multiple copies) and so on could really make a big difference to a heavy multitasker like me.

Yes, those are useful improvements. Out of the ones you listed, I like the memory compression one especially as it points to significant efficiency improvements.

Sometimes the little things are just as important too. For me, I immediately liked the way they tweaked the Aero interface to make for square corners on the edges of every window. It looks so much smarter that way and window screenshots don't have those annoying "ears" on them.

Believe it or not, I also like the ribbon on the Explorer interface. I've always been a bit middling about the ribbon in the Office apps, especially with the screen real estate that it takes up, but it seems to work well for Explorer.

 

[Aquinus]

have fun with slower boot times. Win8 has improved boot times significantly.It's quite simple the sooner to get used to it the better for u, also I'm pretty sure that the Metro UI can be disabled or some app from some 3rd party company will pop up that will make windows 8 look like the older versions of windows

Boot times are not slow when you have two Force GTs in RAID-0 that does 900mb/s-1gb/s. I was under the impression that Metro can't be turned off but clearly that isn't true. I just haven't been impressed with Windows 8 like I was with 7.

 

[qubit]

Boot times are not slow when you have two Force GTs in RAID-0 that does 900mb/s-1gb/s. I was under the impression that Metro can't be turned off but clearly that isn't true. I just haven't been impressed with Windows 8 like I was with 7.

I don't think Metro can be turned off and people on here are mistaken. It could only be turned off in the first customer preview. If anyone can find info saying otherwise, I'd be keen to see and try it out.

 

[mtosev]

Boot times are not slow when you have two Force GTs in RAID-0 that does 900mb/s-1gb/s. I was under the impression that Metro can't be turned off but clearly that isn't true. I just haven't been impressed with Windows 8 like I was with 7.

Win8 has way more enhancements than the number of enhancements win7 got when you compare it to win vista.

 

[Mussels]

Yes, those are useful improvements. Out of the ones you listed, I like the memory compression one especially as it points to significant efficiency improvements.

Sometimes the little things are just as important too. For me, I immediately liked the way they tweaked the Aero interface to make for square corners on the edges of every window. It looks so much smarter that way and window screenshots don't have those annoying "ears" on them.

Believe it or not, I also like the ribbon on the Explorer interface. I've always been a bit middling about the ribbon in the Office apps, especially with the screen real estate that it takes up, but it seems to work well for Explorer.

and the behind the scenes improvements that moved aero from DX9 to DX10, meaning it didnt duplicate in system ram (which made aero faster on low end hardware like intel onboard, and used less resources on our high end systems)

lots of behind the scenes stuff people dont notice or care about, that can make all the difference to some users.


damn this thread got off topic, but in an informative way