Because of the expiration of Windows XP service and possible security problems we're getting a new home PC. We've had good service with our Dell, eleven years and no problems. Despite that my brother, who knows more about computers than we do, says we were lucky and to get an HP.

Dell or HP? Windows 7 or 8 for an operating system? Thanks.

I bought a HP Pavillion with 8 on it at Sam's Club as they had a sale plus a $110 off. Took some getting used too but it is working well so far. As with all Windows Versions some of the older software you may have won't play well with it.

What ever computer you want that is Windows 8 compatible with no OS. Download one of the Linux versions like Ubuntu and you are good to go.

Been buying HP desktops and laptops for home and family members for the last 5 years or so. Very, very happy with the value you get. I run Dell at work and love them, but don't need to double my personal money on my home computers for what little I do on them.

I like Windows 7 better than 8, and have had a few oddball problems with 8 that haven't had with XP or 7. But... if you like running computers for 10 years, I'd say get 8.

I'll counter the trend. My wife and I each bought HP Pavilion desktops at Costco and both of them died within two weeks. Got refunds (for which Costco is outstanding) and bought two Gateways. Despite them getting poor reviews, both Gateways have run like a charm for almost two years now.

If you look at places like Woot! that sell discounted factory rufurbished computers, a LOT of them are HP - which tells me that a lot of them got returned with problems - like ours were. There's a lesson in that.

I can heap praise also for Win 7. Absolutely stable, trouble-free and fast.

Heck I didn't know Gateway was even around anymore. FWIW you can get a lemon from any of the brands. We use Dell at work as well as HP.

I've bought two Dell XPS laptops at Costco in the past four months, one for me, one for a friend. Great deals, best customer service & warranties anywhere, and no problems.

Windows 8 took a little getting used to, but is really not a problem.

Ed

we have been buying Dell laptops for me and Dell desktops for the office.....given the abuse we inflict on them they stand up really well.....any laptop that stands up to 18-24 months of me packing it around is a good design

Lenovo laptop with W7

Windows 8 sucks!!

Maybe you need to go back to Windows 3.11 or DOS or perhaps FORTRAN programming.

Damn nightmare. Get 7.

laptop or desk top?

if its a desktop, build one, windows 7 - it always takes Microsoft years to sort out the bugs in a new system

Your best bet is a Mac. More expensive but works better.

Don't get Win 8!

I really fail to understand why anyone sticks with windows when Lenux based OS are so much better and are free. You are paying for an inferior product.

Scott,

Because most of us have neither the time nor inclination to work with something that is not "plug-n-play".

Most folks don't understand what an OS is, much less how it works or what is or isn't compatible.

Just give me the box, I'll plug it in and head for the InterWeb.

Ed

Bwahahahahahahaha!

Ed, just an fyi...

Many Linux distro's are plug and play. Even more so than either Windows or Mac.

Man, I still am sore about missing the fun at your place my friend. I really really wanted to make that.

Toshiba Sat. w/win7pro

Dell. 7.

Mark,

But who, outside of folks who have techie friends, knows that? I mean, there is NO mainstream advertising to get the word out to the general public that Linux exists, what it is, what the advantages are, what it costs, or how easy it is to install and make it work.

So, for the great, unwashed masses, it isn't "plug-n-play", it's geek stuff.
As I posted above, most are not inclined to look at anything else, mostly out of ignorance. Buy the box, plug it in, and head for the "Interweb".

You really SHOULD come out this way. Doesn't have to be an "O-fishul Gathering".

Ed

I have a desktop and a laptop, both HP's and they've been superb. The laptop has Windows 7 and the desktop has Vista ... absolutely no problems with either Operating System.

No idea about Windows 8

kd

Your point is valid. You're not going to see a box for Ubuntu on the Store Shelf.

After I get back on my feet with the job, I'll send ya a PM about making the trip.

I and my kids have owned a few HP desk tops, but usually we just buy components and assemble our own PC. It really is not too tough to do.

HP has deservedly earned one of the most unenviable reputations for reliability in the industry. Dell is much less maligned.

Were I in the market for a new desk top, I would seriously consider Asus. They have been building some of the top computer main boards and graphics cards for many years.

If you like XP and do not want to spend a lot of time learning to navigate a different operating system, go with Win 7. It is a nearly seamless transition from XP.

My opinion; if I purchased a new computer today, and it came with Win 8.1 on it, I would nuke the hard drive. And I would spend $69 for an OEM copy of Win 7 and install it.

I spent about three hours one day trying to do a little bit of work on a laptop with Win 8 installed. That was three hours totally shot to hell. If I wanted a touch screen operating system, I would buy a cell phone with a touch screen.

My Vista machine is now five years old and I too am looking into maybe getting another. I'm having to unplug it nearly every morning and replug to get it to start up. One guy came out but never did fix it.

Dell seems to mostly offer Windows8-something I don't want. Wonder if you can get them to install W7 instead?

I built my own last year using PC Partspicker. Loaded Win 7. Runs fast. Saved bucks. No weak links as in most prebuilts. Just a thought. It is pretty straight forward to assemble one.

Maximum PC Magazine recently did an article stating that Dell was catering to the Win 7 market. A few seconds with Google yielded this result:



http://www.cnet.com/news/dell-still-has-windows-7-pcs-and-theyre-on-sale/

Also, if shopping at a retail outlet such as Staples, or Best Buy, one might ask sales personnel about a free "downgrade" to Win 7.

I am NOT a computer geek and have no computer training and I use Ubuntu. If there is something I don't know how to do in ubuntu I just use a search and the answers are all there in terms even I can understand.

While ya'll debate linux vs windows and hp and dells and [bleep],

If you buy or currently own a computer running 8, download and install Classic Shell and it will look like and function darn close to 7. 8 sucks frack'n balls and I hated it too, but I have run 8 for at least five months with Classic Shell and have no reason to return to 7, and I am a picky bitch when it comes to computers.

http://www.classicshell.net/

Dell and HP both sell new units with Win 7 pre-installed. Just look on Amazon.

To each his own.

Even with Classic Shell the Metro is still running, still trying to run live and consuming resources. It still bounces back and forth between desktop and Metro interfaces...............

Me, Win7, Linux or Android.

For giggles today I put Ubuntu 13.10 on a Acer Iconia W700P tablet.

Guess what? Everything works fine, all the hardware etc. The only issues were Flash updates and Silverlight for streaming for Netflix and Amazon video.

Both no longer support Linux, the work around files have been compiled and posted for free use.

Win 8 was so bad on this tablet, I couldn't give it away. The thing had been sitting on the shelf for 6 months.

Now why didn't I think of trying that.

I have been pleased with my Toshiba satellite. It has Windows 7 on it.

tom