Looking for new laptop, which OS should I aim for?

ElJeffe

So I'm looking to get a laptop. It will be principally a web browsing and word-processing machine. If it can happen to play a game or two then yay, but I really don't give a shit about that.

Budget is an issue, and I've been looking at used laptops on Craigslist. The ones that look decent and non-ancient are in the $200-250 range. However, getting a used machine will mean I'm on my own for software. I have copies of Windows XP and Office 2K3, so that's probably acceptable.

Now, I've used Vista and I hated it. I much preferred XP. I have not, however, used Windows 7, and I've heard it's not too bad. Also, XP is a bit long in the tooth. If I wind up having to upgrade to 7 down the road, we're talking about another $150 out of pocket. The price of a new laptop that does what I want is right around $400, so if I'm going to be shelling out for a new OS, I may as well get a brand new laptop in the deal since it comes with the OS anyway.

So. Does 7 do anything especially orgasmic? Will I be crippling myself in terms of future software upgrades if I'm stuck with XP? I know I could just get a used machine that comes with Windows 7 (I've seen plenty), but I doubt those machines will come with all the software disks, and my first order of business will be to reformat the HD and install everything clean because god knows what kind of shit the machine might have polluting it otherwise.

Skoal Cat

If budget is that big of an issue, I'd either get an older laptop and drop Linux on it, or keep an eye out on NewEggs email blasts for a netbook to drop down in that range (which does happen). The only reason for the latter is potability.

ElJeffe

Netbooks are out of the question. I want to have CD/DVD read/writability, and I want at least a 15" screen. Also: Don't want to learn Linux. I'm strictly looking for flavors of Windows.

Skoal Cat

If you've never used Linux, it can be pretty fucking similar to a Windows type experience. Thought I do understand not wanting to undertake that.

Demerdar

It can be, until you have to use command line for something as simple as installing a flash plugin for chromium. Definitely there is a learning curve for linux. On your budget I would keep a keen eye on newegg.

Essee

Windows 7 is absolutely fantastic. It's basically what Vista should have been, a successor to XP. Lots of quality-of-life improvements have been made, and it's a lot easier to navigate. Now, is it worth it to upgrade from XP if you're really worried about your budget? I'm not entirely sure. One of my old computers, which is now my mom's, still has XP on it. Every program I use on Windows 7 machines works the same way on XP for the most part, although XP is definitely a bit buggier and more likely to crash than Windows 7 (I occasionally find out about weird quirks that my main 7 machine doesn't experience, and I do occasionally have crashes on XP whereas I've almost never had an issue on 7). Not that it's a big deal with your budget, I bet, but XP 64-bit is VERY buggy, so I would avoid a machine with that on it where possible. Similarly, Windows 7 Starter Edition is limited in many ways compared to any other version of Windows, so I would avoid it... but I think they only throw it on netbooks, so that's not an issue for you either.

I guess, personally, I would say that if the machine you're looking at has the right specs and has any normal version of Windows 7 on it, I'd definitely go for it over an XP machine (with enough RAM for it). But it's not going to KILL you if the machine has to have XP on it, since basically everything is backwards-compatible. It just won't be any nicer to use than what you're used to by now.

physi_marc

I'm a Mac guy myself, but I use Windows 7 from time to time in my research and it's great. WinXP is getting ancient in computer years; definitely go for Win7, which is light-years better than Vista, from my very limited experience.

Skoal Cat

Essee wrote:

Windows 7 is absolutely fantastic. It's basically what Vista should have been, a successor to XP. Lots of quality-of-life improvements have been made, and it's a lot easier to navigate. Now, is it worth it to upgrade from XP if you're really worried about your budget? I'm not entirely sure. One of my old computers, which is now my mom's, still has XP on it. Every program I use on Windows 7 machines works the same way on XP for the most part, although XP is definitely a bit buggier and more likely to crash than Windows 7 (I occasionally find out about weird quirks that my main 7 machine doesn't experience, and I do occasionally have crashes on XP whereas I've almost never had an issue on 7). Not that it's a big deal with your budget, I bet, but XP 64-bit is VERY buggy, so I would avoid a machine with that on it where possible. Similarly, Windows 7 Starter Edition is limited in many ways compared to any other version of Windows, so I would avoid it... but I think they only throw it on netbooks, so that's not an issue for you either.

I guess, personally, I would say that if the machine you're looking at has the right specs and has any normal version of Windows 7 on it, I'd definitely go for it over an XP machine (with enough RAM for it). But it's not going to KILL you if the machine has to have XP on it, since basically everything is backwards-compatible. It just won't be any nicer to use than what you're used to by now.

I don't think Windows 7 starter is missing anything at this point in time that most users would miss. I think i was crazy nerfed when it launched, though.

Essee

I have to admit, I'm not quite sure what you're talking about there. To my knowledge, at least for as long as I've had Windows 7, 7 just built upon XP, unless you got stuck with Starter Edition, which most people didn't-- just the netbook crowd (as far as I know). Starter Edition has a ton of basic Windows features disabled (like the DESKTOP BACKGROUND for crying out loud, who thought that was a good idea?), ostensibly for performance on a netbook. Granted, my laptop has always had 7 Professional, 64-bit, so maybe the Home edition was also more gimped in some way when it came out? But as far as I know, Home's feature set never left too much most people would care about out (except maybe XP Mode if you really needed it to run certain ancient games on 64-bit).

Syphyre

At this point in the game, I would recommend Windows 7. Windows XP is at it's end of life, and although it's spread across desktops across the world like crazy, Windows 7 really is the proper new evolution. You'll be good for likely the next 5-10 years depending, if 7 lasts as long as XP did. I cannot see Windows 8 being the "new thing" at this point.

I would also suggest Home Premium edition. Starter is too feature limited, and Professional has a bunch of things you don't really need, and can get elsewhere. This assumes you're buying the OS new. If the laptop comes with you may just stick with whatever is on there.

Also I would note that OEM builder versions of Windows 7 Home Premium are $99. Only trouble is that Microsoft is constantly swinging to both sides of the pendulum on who is allowed to install it. (Only retailers building computers? People at home building computers? Anyone competent enough to put their own OS on a computer?) So take that with a grain of caution for licensing.

Essee

Oh yeah, I was going to mention this in my first post on this topic, but I forgot-- do you have any access to a student ID of any sort? Because there are AWESOME student deals on Windows 7 all the time. Constantly. I think, at least at one point, students were getting copies for like... $20.

John Matrix

I'll second the student thing. A few weeks ago I bought 7 Ultimate and Office 2010 for $10 each. I upgraded from XP.

I think it's a good platform, I don't really have any complaints about it. It's a little smoother moving between windows and programs. I use it for browsing, notes, and word processing, so I'm not really taxing it in any way.

ElJeffe

I'm unlikely to be able to score a student edition by any means short of forging an ID card, unfortunately. I guess I'll lean towards trying to get something with Win7 on it.

Is it at all advisable to get a used machine with pre-installed software and not wipe it? Like, how likely am I to wind up with something infected with all manner of shit? I know there's the inherent risk of having the machine eat itself and not having any of the software disks to use for reinstalling, but beyond that?

kaliyama

why don't you just buy from somebody who has the install disks?

Feral

ElJeffe wrote:

I'm unlikely to be able to score a student edition by any means short of forging an ID card, unfortunately. I guess I'll lean towards trying to get something with Win7 on it.

Is it at all advisable to get a used machine with pre-installed software and not wipe it? Like, how likely am I to wind up with something infected with all manner of shit? I know there's the inherent risk of having the machine eat itself and not having any of the software disks to use for reinstalling, but beyond that?

I would strongly suggest looking at manufacturer's refurbished units. You can get a solid business-class machine, with a warranty, without a lot of preloaded bullshit, for $500-700.

outlet.dell.com
outlet.lenovo.com

bowen

Yeah you're likely looking at a $250 price range for laptops Jeffe. Always wipe a used one.

Tox

If you're open to giving Linux at least a test-drive, Ubuntu is my recommendation. I actually like it more than Windows (Well, Vista anyway). Also the LiveCD will let you try it without installing anything.

bowen

Ubuntu is a good, solid choice for an OS, OS.

ElJeffe

Yeah, really not looking at Linux at all. Linux may be the best thing since ever and I'm just irrationally against change, but them's the breaks. And $500 is more than I can really afford. My old laptop is about ready to burst into flames, and I don't want to be buying one, but the alternative is to continue using the ten year old desktop that I had to steal back from my kids, which is... less than viable.

Skoal Cat

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246162&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL091611&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL091611-_-EMC-091611-Index-_-LaptopsNotebooks-_-34246162-L0A
for $225, but it has XP
But its $225

Skoal Cat

Oh, and there is also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157736&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL091611&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL091611-_-EMC-091611-Index-_-LaptopsNotebooks-_-34157736-L05A
for $309, which has Win 7

corky842

Skoal Cat wrote:

Oh, and there is also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157736&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL091611&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL091611-_-EMC-091611-Index-_-LaptopsNotebooks-_-34157736-L05A
for $309, which has Win 7

I have one that's basically the same design as that one (Compaq CQ56 series) and don't really like the keyboard and touchpad. Everything else about it is fine. For the keyboard, they put an extra column of buttons on the left side, which screwed me up a few times, but I think I've gotten used to it. The touchpad's buttons aren't very nice feeling, but I just use a mouse most of the time. The Radeon 4250 actually plays games decently. Old and/or low-requirement games, but still games.

If you decide to get a used one:
Legal Win7 download for a clean install
Key finder if the COA is unreadable

Ruckus

Go with Windows 7 Home Premium, it will do everything you need.

Be aware I'm running the Windows 8 developer beta on one of my home PC's, it's probably going to be released in Q1-Q2 2012.

Tomanta

Windows 7. Moving between it at home and XP here at work there are so many things I like, particularly the taskbar changes. Vista may do some of those things as well but screw Vista.