Windows 8 or Windows 7?

[TheTitan164]

I'm planning on building a gaming PC just after Christmas for about £600, ill also be doing school work and general browsing and normal things, however I'm stuck as to what OS to get.

Could someone give me an unbiased view of the ads and disads of both and some up what would probably be best

 

[sosofm]

Windows 7 64bit because Win 8 have compatibility problems with a lot of hardware and softwares.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... if you want the look of the desktop, like Windows of OLD, and unlimited Ram memory install, get Windows 7 x64 PRO... Other Windows 7 versions have ram limited OS... if you want The APP look of modern phones, get Windows 8.

 

[faalin]

I would have to say go with win 8.... Microsoft is no longer selling windows 7. Yes the hole tile screen sucks with windows 8, but with a few programs from stardock.com Start8 and modernmix everything will act and feel just like windows 7 and you will never have to go back to the tile screen. I run win8 on my gaming laptop with the stardock programs and don't have any issues at all gaming or doing any office work.

 

[geofelt]

Both perform equally well for gaming and other tasks.

Your decision comes down to how much you like the tiles interface.
My take is that windows 7 works better with a mouse, windows 8 works well with touch .

 

[jwk3]

Windows 7 is the more safe choice in terms of compatibility (for now). Windows 8 is however a great OS and although may take a few days/weeks to get used to it it's a better OS overall and will be better in the long run than if you had picked 7. As for the tile criticisms I hear a lot of about 8, it's basically a full screen start menu with thumbnails, not a small list in the corner like on 7 which doesn't utilise your screen real estate.

Windows 7:
Pro- a safe bet, better driver and software compatibility
con- old OS, so lack of support in the long run. game developers and Microsoft alike will discontinue support or shift their effort onto the newer OSs (Windows 8)

Windows 8
Pro-faster, more features. longer support
cons- driver/software compatibility issues, they can happen but are not frequent.

Windows 8 (8.1 now) is my personal choice. I can understand why the older folk may be adamant on the traditional start menu that has been in use for 18 years now, which is why I chose Windows 7 for my father's new PC, but for someone of your age I'd personally recommend 8.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8 OEM you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.

OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com

Windows 8 OEM is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx

 

[colorsful]

From the compatibility of speaking, Win7 is superior to Win8 from mouse control perspective, Win7 is more suitable for ordinary PC, but Win8 is compatible with the common PC good, Modern used to play
From the touch screen experience speaking, Win8 is much better than Win7
Tell from the function, Win8 is superior to Win7 from the aesthetic perspective, Win7 Aero is very beautiful, no Win8
From the power consumption, Win8 consumption is smaller than Win7 (Win8 in time, the use of laptop batteries use the same method, life is higher than Win7)
From the system resources, system resources occupied the lower Win8 (run time, CPU, graphics card temperature lower than that of Win7, but the Win8 system to read and write more frequently, for hard disk solid state disk consumption fast)