Windows 8

azzabazza

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/xps-8700/pd?oc=cdx8729&model_id=xps-8700

This is the desktop I am considering. I have heard that Windows 8 is 'pants' (not my description!) and Dell tell me this machine cannot be downgraded to Windows 7.

Views on Windows 8 much appreciated. I am moving up from XP.

macman

You can downgrade, but you'll need to pay again for W7, and sort out all the drivers. .Just install Classic Shell on W8 and it'll look like XP, W7, or whatever you want it to.
Once beyond the Start screen, W8 is a fast and stable OS.

John_Gray

If you wait until April, or a bit later, you may well have Windows 9 available on a new PC!

azzabazza

macman wrote: »

You can downgrade, but you'll need to pay again for W7, and sort out all the drivers. .Just install Classic Shell on W8 and it'll look like XP, W7, or whatever you want it to.
Once beyond the Start screen, W8 is a fast and stable OS.

My only worry would be mucking about with the OS on a new machine as there will be a one-year warranty on it. Have found the Classic Shell website. I presume if this is downloaded I could go back to Windows 8 at a later stage if necessary.

azzabazza

John_Gray wrote: »

If you wait until April, or a bit later, you may well have Windows 9 available on a new PC!

Not on your life! It is going to be hard enough to get my DH used to any new operating system!

Marty999

azzabazza wrote: »

My only worry would be mucking about with the OS on a new machine as there will be a one-year warranty on it. Have found the Classic Shell website. I presume if this is downloaded I could go back to Windows 8 at a later stage if necessary.

I use Classic Shell and it make W8 so much easier to use, as it simply adds a proper Start button and menu structure, much like W7. You are still using Windows 8.

JJ_Egan

Classic Shell is simply un installed to revert to Win 8

ukcarper

I have recently gone from XP to windows 8 and I like it. I've recently upgraded to 8.1 and that gives you a start button of sorts.

John_Gray

azzabazza wrote: »

Not on your life! It is going to be hard enough to get my DH used to any new operating system!

It is rumoured that Windows 9 will be a better version of Windows 7, leaving Windows 8/8.1 to be thought of as the most recent Vista...

But I'm a year out: it is not expected to start shipping until April 2015!

Jivesinger

John_Gray wrote: »

If you wait until April, or a bit later, you may well have Windows 9 available on a new PC!

From what I've seen, Windows 9 is indeed rumoured to be available in April... 2015!

TheSaint_2

8 is fine, just hit desktop if you don't like metro... which is pointless unless you are using a touch device.


Its truly amazing on a tablet though.