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New laptop OS question

mutley74
mutley74 Posts: 4,033 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
edited 2 December 2009 at 11:09AM in Techie Stuff
a family member has just won a new laptop

Toshiba Pro L300-29C

They have not opened it but reading spec on internet, says it comes with Windows Vista business, but can be downgraded to XP-Pro.

What OS are they best using Vista or Xp? Or as its new laptop (unopened) will they be alowed a free upgraded to windows 7?

thanks
«134

Comments

  • isofa
    isofa Posts: 6,091 Forumite
    It can be downgraded not downloaded to XP Pro. Any Vista Business system can be downgraded to Vista, as most business users (in large companies) are still using XP Pro rather than Vista.

    Vista is more up-to-date, but if it's a new machine, unless you really want to be running XP Pro (and you really don't want to be running Vista IMO), you should be running Windows 7 which was released over a month ago.
  • kwikbreaks
    kwikbreaks Posts: 9,187 Forumite
    edited 2 December 2009 at 10:49AM
    Like he said ^

    It is possible that there will be a free upgrade to Win 7 but quite probably there won't be especially as it was a prize rather than bought recently.

    This Tosh link may lead to an upgrade if it is available free - http://www.toshiba.co.uk/windows7 (see over on the right) It seems like "unlimited" with broadband "free" isn't qute what it seems - there is a handling charge of ~ £28
  • Donnie
    Donnie Posts: 9,862 Forumite
    If both licences are included, why not try each for yourself?

    The upgrade to Windows 7 is not free. It's £27.90. The laptop is eligible for the upgrade. Click here to double check.

    Another 1 GB PC6400 DDR2-800 Mhz RAM module may be useful.
  • mutley74
    mutley74 Posts: 4,033 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Isofa - yes i meant a downgrad Xp disc is included.

    Kwikbreaks - thanks but the toshiba link does not work. As it was a prize there is no mention of windows 7, i think item was bought in October before so it might have missed the Windows 7 launch on new laptops.
    Donnie - Yeah i will suggest Visa first.
    Luckily the prizegiver has included 1GB ram with the laptop..so when that is fitted will make it 2GB total.
  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    It shouldn't have missed the Windows 7 upgrade. The whole point of the upgrade is to offer it before the launch so people don't put off buying machines until the launch.

    If it's a choice of XP, Vista or Win 7 I'd go with Win 7.
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • Leopard
    Leopard Posts: 1,786 Forumite

    Most people still regard switching from Vista to XP as an upgrade. :cool:

    Don't laugh at banana republics. :rotfl:

    As a result of how you voted in the last three General Elections,
    you'd now be better off living in one.
  • mutley74
    mutley74 Posts: 4,033 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    BillScarab wrote: »
    It shouldn't have missed the Windows 7 upgrade. The whole point of the upgrade is to offer it before the launch so people don't put off buying machines until the launch.

    If it's a choice of XP, Vista or Win 7 I'd go with Win 7.


    i am tempted to use a more recent Windows 7, but put off by paying £28 and not sure if 2GB ram is sufficient to run it smoothly.
  • ses6jwg
    ses6jwg Posts: 5,381 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Vista is an absolutely terrible OS and I would emplore you to go for XP or 7.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,412 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    mutley74 wrote: »
    i am tempted to use a more recent Windows 7, but put off by paying £28 and not sure if 2GB ram is sufficient to run it smoothly.
    Running smoothly on my netbook with only 1GB RAM.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,466 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    mutley74 wrote: »
    i am tempted to use a more recent Windows 7, but put off by paying £28 and not sure if 2GB ram is sufficient to run it smoothly.

    Vista ran perfectly fine with 2GB of RAM, and 7 will do to.
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