Posted on 12/18/2013 6:48:46 AM PST by ShadowAce
Is it time for you to dump Windows XP, or maybe to abandon Windows altogether? Windows 8 has improved significantly with the 8.1 upgrade. Nevertheless, for many users, Windows 8’s ...major changes like Live Tiles and the removal of the Start menu—remains an object of scorn. And security has always been a bigger headache for Windows...
If you’re still running Windows XP, making the switch to Windows 8.1—or to Windows 7, if you can find it—will probably involve replacing more than just the operating system. Your...hardware may not be able to handle a newer Windows OS; and even if it can, you’ll likely need to replace software and peripheral devices, as well.
If you’re going to invest money and time..., you might as well consider all your options. Microsoft’s stranglehold on the desktop market has loosened over the past few years. Mac, Linux, and even Chrome are sophisticated operating systems... Here’s what to expect if you embrace one...
There’s a reason people (and not just Apple marketers) say “once you go Mac, you’ll never go back.” Apple defined the GUI we know today and set the bar for user-friendly computing. Macs have a reputation for being expensive, but that’s not entirely accurate these days. You can certainly find cheaper Windows-based desktop and laptop options, but in bang-for-the-buck terms, Macs are on a par with—and sometimes cheaper than—similarly equipped Windows machines...
If you want to install a new OS on your existing hardware, Linux is the obvious alternative. The open-source operating system has many variants, one of the most widely used of which is Ubuntu Linux. Generally speaking, Linux has less-demanding hardware requirements and is much more forgiving of older PCs. Laptops are available from Acer, Asus, and Dell that run some version of Linux.
(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...
I just bought an Acer laptop w/Windows 7 as a back up to this higher quality HP (also w/Windows 7). I really don’t want to change to Windows 8 as I hear is bites hard.
bfl
Macs are not that user-friendly. Coming from a Windows environment, you will take a while to find/get used to all their quirks and whatnot.
The biggest issue, too, is they don’t like supporting 16:9. I work in a tech environment, providing av services for corporate events. And a lot of macs will not output 720p. They’ll do 1280x800, but require processing to restretch it to 720 (which is the format a lot of shows use). Granted, I do think that 16:10 is a much better and user-appealing aspect ratio, but the fact that many Macs don’t allow 16:9 is very annoying. Also, that they change their video out every model update (and charge like crazy for adapters) is just asinine.
Linux is great, and I dual-boot with it, but the lack of compatibility with many programs is very frustrating. Macs had this issue as well until a couple years ago. Yes, there are knock-offs (OpenOffice), but sometimes those can be hard to find or not work the same. However, as Linux is growing these issues are starting to go away (THANK YOU STEAM THANK YOU THANK YOU).
Windows 8 really isn’t too bad, AFTER you install Classic Shell. When I first got my new Win8 laptop, I couldn’t even figure out how to shut it down. Had to grab my old laptop and download CShell. It basically lets you have the quick Win8 backend, with a good Win7 style gui.
/johnny
As for Mac and Linux, I walked into a training class with a Linux machine about a month ago, never having working on it before. But since I had worked with UNIX boxes back in the '90s, I was able to get up and running in no time, and was creating programs doing serious number crunching. Yes, I did not exercise all of the new features, BUT THE OLD FEATURES WERE STILL THERE!
I can't remember the last time I had to "hunt down ... drivers for your printer". Maybe that's because I buy Linux-friendly gear.
Wireless is still somewhat of an issue, but is not nearly as bad as it used to be. I run my desktop on ethernet, because it's my primary box, and I don't really care for wireless connections for that..
Yeah, you'll have to replace your applications, but unless you're using really specialized software, that's not such a big deal. There are several Linux 'office' type suites to choose from, all of which are probably easier to use for folks than the latest versions of the Microsoft equivalents.
I've yet to find something I want to do with my Linux desktop that I can't do. In fact, Things like media conversion are really simple with a little googling.
The peace of mind you get from not having to worry about viruses and trojans is nice too.
SunStar, I know you message was to ShadowAce, but thank you for the link! I’ll have to try that out.
“I find it frustrating to do anything serious with Win8, so it is just a web surfing/e-mail checking/game-playing toy.”
As someone else once described Win8, it’s a teenage girls telephone.
Even the commercials for Win8 presented it as a toy, something to play with.
If you’ve had any type of training to use a computer consider yourself lucky.
For those of use that haven’t, going from XP to Win8 is mind numbing.
If you want to do something, go to the app store and buy an app.
Read the fine print and it appears you give them permission to get into your computer any time they want. Just for updates don’t you know.
Bttt...thanks for the link!
You’ll have to replace all the applications you use, and you’ll have to hunt down software and drivers for your printer, wireless network adapter, and other peripheral devices—or replace them with Linux-compatible equivalents.
Well at least someone is honest.
Huh??? I output hd all of the time from my iMac... 16X9.... My built in monitor is 16X9.
They don’t change their video out every model. mini-display port or dvi for Mac Pro. Thunderbolt is new and an intel invention...
I’ve been using computers since the 80s, and I’ve never seen people supposedly so skilled at computers look so pathetic using an OS.
Either they are seriously stupid, lazy, liars, or overdramatic.
Linux and Apple are welcome to these people. God help these souls when they go to a help board for those OSs with the attitude they exhibit here. They will get an earful.
/johnny
I can use the OS for what it was intended for: toy OS. But the fact that I have to get third-party software so that it has all of the functionality of the previous version limits what I can do with it.
Also, with previous versions of Windows, if I installed a program, it was available to any user. Now, it has to be installed N times, using up N times the memory. And that is not me being stupid or lazy; that is what the app help said.
I can only hope that Win9 corrects the mistakes of Win8. That seems to be a pattern with MS.
For those looking to keep something that FEELs like Windows, check out Linux Mint http://www.linuxmint.com/
Not entirely true. Especially if you're coming from a Windows XP environment, WINE stands a pretty good chance of running much of your old software - granted, the focus tends to be on games, but WINE should work for other PC applications as well.
BFL
I have recovered some old DELL computers and brought them back to life with KUBUNTU. There are many free software packages available and the install loads most every software package you would need. FireFox is installed and one can easily install Thunderbird (email) and VLC (free media player).
My current setup is a dual boot with KUBUNTU and Windows XP Pro.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
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