matt thomas

Microsoft ought to be charged with extortion. Some here will recall that XP was followed by Vista - best described as an horrible abortion. At the time I purchased a high end gamer desktop from a manufacturer and asked that it have XP installed only to be told that it would cost me more money as Microsoft dictated that it must come with Vista. Thus, the manufacturer would need to purchase XP and charge me extra.
Imagine if you went to purchase a brand new 2015 automobile only to find out in time that the new model was a piece of junk. So, you tell the dealer never mind, instead I'll take last year's model and he then tells you, "Gee, I'm dreadfully sorry but we'll have to charge you extra for the older car."
I use windows 7 which is o.k. except for the email which sucks. My wife is still running XP and it is superior to anything Microsoft has produced since. Any wonder why so many people hate Microsoft? As for Bill Gates, I wouldn't piss on him if his heart was on fire.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

You really need to read up on operating systems. The drivers in XP may not be compatible with newer games. Also, just because the box flap on the OS says it's minimum RAM requirement is 1 or 2 gig, you should really see what the max RAM limitations are since all of your programs are run from the RAM and background programs can significantly slow older machine when they have only minimum amounts of RAM and single or dual core processors. Many older CPUs can not run multithread programs or ACTIVE-X.

WINDOWS 8 and 8.1 are solid operating systems and have much faster and more efficient drivers for peripherals and USB and almost every operation of a computer. Boot times can be also significantly reduced in WINDOWS 8 and 8.1 over previous iterations.

If you are content with XP you should be aware that support is no longer available and updates are no longer being supplied from Microsoft. The next OS versions to be put to pasture are VISTA and WINDOWS 7. See articles on support for these OS systems from PC Magazine or use your search engine.

You complained about email problems. Well, you really don't need to use BING or GOOGLE or any other source to get your email. WINDOWS does make you register with them but you can just as easily give them a YAHOO or Gmail email address so that updates or notice of updates can be sent to your machine.

Your comparison to autos is slightly off however since the new model may only need last years engine or transmission which is comparable to the operating system.

Hey, you buy a new car every 10 year or so and it's the same with your operating system. Auto companies guaranty parts for your car for only 10 years as well, so why not the operating system for a computer? The only restriction to this philosophy is that you may need to upgrade your computer or it's components (ie. RAM amount, CPU, graphics card) in order to utilize the new OS or get full potential of the new operating system or program. It's like upgrading the tires and stereo in your old car.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

No need to read further.
How about you go back to your Mario Brothers?

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Sonny,
Hold back on the snyde remarks when someone is venting about their computer. It's far better to give them guidance and instruction than to piss them off.

Just a word to the wise.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

:thumbup: :thumbup:

anotherview Loc: California

Ditto.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

My wife runs 8.1 on her Gateway and it's trash, absolute trash. Oh things work alright but it's not nearly as crisp and clean as my 7 Gateway. 7 is an excellent OS and I recommend it highly.

Good luck

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

"CRISP & CLEAN"? This sounds more like a video card and monitor issue than an OS concern. Your wife has probably not set up her version of WIN8.1 to mimic WINDOWS 7 menus and start button. This is changeable in the setup of the system.

Updates and support for the WINDOWS 7 OS will cease in April of 2015.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Crisp and clean is a function of screen resolution, not the OS.

jlf1938 Loc: Acworth, GA

I agree!

Huey Driver Loc: Texas

You can buy a Dell with Windows 7. Just give them a call. I just bought one in December. Didn't want to go to Windows 8 from what I have heard from friends and I needed to replace my other computer.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

WINDOWS 8.1 PRO 64 bit version is better and faster than WINDOWS 7 PRO. Just configure it to bypass the METRO screen and go to DESKTOP on bootup and it gives you the start button and old menus. (ALMOST)

Microsoft really screwed up when they didn't give an instruction file on how to configure the system with the installation download or disk. This forces you to buy a good instruction and guide book to the WINDOWS 8 and 8.1 operating system. Most of the info could have been put into a READ ME file or an online database file that users could access online.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I agree about Windows 7. It is fine.
I disagree about Windows 8.1. I use it and like it. It is a different format and you have to take the time to learn it.

So a Windows 7 machine will do a great job.

wcuster Loc: The Sea Ranch, CA

Another vote for Windows 7 Professional 64bit

A solid operating system.

Walt Custer

SSam Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

This gives you some more info to think about:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-support-what-happens-on-january-13-2015/