Is Windows 7 worth it over XP? - Page 2 - Overclock.net

HoldYrPistlstr8 · 3 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by e_dogg

Well, he's right to be paranoid about MS phasing out XP support because they have already started and it will be completely unsupported in a couple of years.

It sounds like your dad is familiar with Windows 7 already and willing to learn the new and moved features. Since that's the case, I'd say might as well upgrade him now.

The build you have selected is great for basic use. Unless your dad will be playing games, everything in there will be perfect and he'll absolutely love it.

It's kind of established that QuickBooks will work with XP; I'm not sure if it'll work with Win7, although the compatibility mode works half the time.

Like some people have suggested, I will use Windows XP for free and when the time comes, I'll buy him Windows 7 - heck, Windows 8 - as a present or something, with my job money.

Dad has only used Windows 7 for internet browsing; he hasn't downloaded any files or worked inside it yet.

TwoCables · 3 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoldYrPistlstr8

It's kind of established that QuickBooks will work with XP; I'm not sure if it'll work with Win7, although the compatibility mode works half the time.

Like some people have suggested, I will use Windows XP for free and when the time comes, I'll buy him Windows 7 - heck, Windows 8 - as a present or something, with my job money.

Dad has only used Windows 7 for internet browsing; he hasn't downloaded any files or worked inside it yet.

I may not have QuickBooks, but I'll mention this: Office 2000 and Office XP work absolutely fine in Windows 7.

I went straight from 32-bit XP to 64-bit 7 without any problems.

HoldYrPistlstr8 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoCables

Hmm. Then it sounds like the decision is totally up to him. I mean, my dad wouldn't know how to make that decision. He'd just say "well, it doesn't matter to me, just as long as the computer works properly." But he'd be saying that not knowing how different Windows 7 is. So at that point, I would know to avoid Windows 7.

But with your dad, it sounds like he would prefer to have Windows 7, and it also sounds like he wouldn't mind getting used to it. So, it might be totally his call.

But still, for his needs, XP is almost more than enough.

My father doesn't know either - he does like the look, but he hasn't delved deep enough into the functionality. I don't think he's hit the start button once while using Win7.

With that said, even with the features, performance, and new tech Windows 7 has ushered in, I'll stick with XP. He would prefer Windows 7, but it would be kinda total shock to him (moving away from 2000-ish looks, different file locations, DOS, etc. He's said more than once to me, "man! I can't believe they're moving away from DOS!" or whatever). He likes having things organized in a certain way and I feel Win7 might be a bit too drastic for him.

I'm going to explain it to him in layman's terms: Would you like Windows 7 with lesser parts or XP with better parts?

TwoCables · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoldYrPistlstr8

My father doesn't know either - he does like the look, but he hasn't delved deep enough into the functionality. I don't think he's hit the start button once while using Win7.

With that said, even with the features, performance, and new tech Windows 7 has ushered in, I'll stick with XP. He would prefer Windows 7, but it would be kinda total shock to him (moving away from 2000-ish looks, different file locations, DOS, etc. He's said more than once to me, "man! I can't believe they're moving away from DOS!" or whatever). He likes having things organized in a certain way and I feel Win7 might be a bit too drastic for him.

I'm going to explain it to him in layman's terms: Would you like Windows 7 with lesser parts or XP with better parts?

Ah, that's kind of how my dad would be if he weren't so computer illiterate. It would be a shock and he would end up hating 7. He's just too busy to take the time to get used to a new OS.

And doesn't he know that Microsoft moved away from DOS with the release of 2000/XP? I mean, with 95 and 98, we could restart into DOS Mode. But with XP, that's not possible. The only thing DOS-like is the Command Prompt (cmd.exe), and that still exists in 7.

So if he thinks that Windows 7 doesn't have cmd.exe, then perhaps he should know that it's still there. I can still open it up and use what looks like DOS just like with XP.

HoldYrPistlstr8 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoCables

Ah, that's kind of how my dad would be if he weren't so computer illiterate. It would be a shock and he would end up hating 7. He's just too busy to take the time to get used to a new OS.

And doesn't he know that Microsoft moved away from DOS with the release of 2000/XP? I mean, with 95 and 98, we could restart into DOS Mode. But with XP, that's not possible. The only thing DOS-like is the Command Prompt (cmd.exe), and that still exists in 7.

So if he thinks that Windows 7 doesn't have cmd.exe, then perhaps he should know that it's still there. I can still open it up and use what looks like DOS just like with XP.

I really don't know - he's just mentioned DOS a ton of times and I just get kinda annoyed and become D.A.D.D. (Dad Attention Deficit Disorder)

My dad could probably figure it out, but since everyone in his office uses Windows XP, everyone would be jealous. XD

and yes, I know cmd still exists.

TwoCables · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoldYrPistlstr8

I really don't know - he's just mentioned DOS a ton of times and I just get kinda annoyed and become D.A.D.D. (Dad Attention Deficit Disorder)

My dad could probably figure it out, but since everyone in his office uses Windows XP, everyone would be jealous. XD

and yes, I know cmd still exists.

Yeah, but it sounds like he thinks CMD.exe is DOS, and it sounds like he thinks Windows 7 doesn't have it - as though it's strictly a GUI now.

But yeah, it sounds like sticking with XP is the best for both you and him. hehe

shughard · 2 Weeks Ago

Save the money for now and let him try ubuntu 9.10.

You can get it here:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/9.10/release/

this has both regular downloads and torrent files.

I am not bashing windows 7 it seems to be a great system.

However from what you have said so far ubuntu will do everything your dad wants and then some. Download it for free and let him check it out it is easy. If he is going to learn something new might as well be something new that is free.

I think you will be surprised how happy he can be with a free os.

Then you can either buy better hardware or save the money since ubuntu is faster than 7 on a lot of apps.

If he is gaming stick with windows 7 since linux still has problems with gaming even I dual boot windows for gaming even though I am a linux convert.

BTW I am not trolling for a flame war. I am not trolling for a windows vs linux flame war. They both have their purposes I am just making a suggestion.

HoldYrPistlstr8 · 2 Weeks Ago

Meh, tried ubuntu before for a short time, I was kinda mad because I'm a bit too lazy to go into the command line just to install flash player (which never did work out) >:|

I definitely don't think he'll like ubuntu. I still have the disc image though.

Mr Bear · 2 Weeks Ago

I would go with better parts and deal with the OS later. If you already have something you can use, why not?
It is my understanding that OS's are supported up to a minimum of 5 years after its last update.

e_dogg · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoldYrPistlstr8

It's kind of established that QuickBooks will work with XP; I'm not sure if it'll work with Win7, although the compatibility mode works half the time.

QuickBooks 2010 is officially supported under Windows 7 according to the Intuit FAQ. The FAQ article goes on to say that QuickBooks 2009 and previous will install and run under Win7, but they do not offer support for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoldYrPistlstr8

Like some people have suggested, I will use Windows XP for free and when the time comes, I'll buy him Windows 7 - heck, Windows 8 - as a present or something, with my job money.

Don't hold your breath for Windows 8 - it won't be coming for a few years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoldYrPistlstr8

Dad has only used Windows 7 for internet browsing; he hasn't downloaded any files or worked inside it yet.

At least he's willing to try it. It sounds like TwoCables' dad and mine are very similar. While my dad usually appreciates the latest and greatest, when it comes to computers, he hates to learn new stuff.

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Is Windows 7 worth it over XP?

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