Need new computer...help please

tama · ‎03-10-2010

I am still using an old Dell pc with Windows XP. It runs great. The only time it is somewhat slow is when I play Farmville. But I just read that Windows XP will no longer be supported after Apr 8 2014. So I am thinking about getting an HP all-in-one pc. QVC has one now on a while supplies last price. My only hesitation is the Windows 8. Do you love or hate Windows 8? I wonder what 9 will be like...due out in December I think.

Any ideas, thoughts, recommendation much appreciated. Thanks very much!

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

Windows 9 isn't due out until 2015 and who knows if it will be released then. I have a Windows 8.1 computer and it's OK. It took a while to figure things out. One of the features I really like is the new search function. When you get to the tile screen, start typing what you want and it brings it up for you.

Your XP machine will run after Microsoft stops supporting it. What you won't get is Windows updates. There are some manufacturers who are selling new computers with Windows 7 installed. I like Windows 7 much more than Windows 8 and if I was in the market for a new computer, that's what I'd buy.

free-spirit · ‎03-09-2010

I agree with glb613.

XP will continue to run fine. Just make sure you keep your virus software up to date and be a little more vigilant about the websites you visit and e-mails you open.

I bought 2 Windows 7 PCs after it was EOL. Microsoft will support the operating system through 2020. You can only get Windows 7 through the manufacturers so look on the Dell, Toshiba, HP, etc websites.

Windows 7 is much more popular than the 8 versions. So much so that HP which stopped selling Windows 7 is now making a big push into that market again.

It is an easy transition from XP to Windows 7.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

I wouldn't count on Windows 9 coming out anytime soon. The first beta is expected to be released in May (and may be delayed) and it's typically about a year after that before the final version hits stores' shelves.

A short term, low cost gap filler for you might be something like the new Asus Chromebox at $179. You'd continue using your old monitor (if it has an HDMI or display port input) but essentially have a new cloud computer that would let you surf the web, play Farmville, and do much of what you can do with a standard computer. You may end up deciding it does everything you need and just keep using it. Here's a link to the Asus Chromebox if you're interested.

http://promos.asus.com/us/chrome-os/chromebox/

It's kind of a neat little device. Here's a link to an article talking about the Chromebox.

http://www.mobilebloom.com/google-gets-more-chromebook-support-from-the-asus-chromebox/2242800/

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

mima · ‎03-14-2010

On 2/17/2014 gardenman said:
I wouldn't count on Windows 9 coming out anytime soon. The first beta is expected to be released in May (and may be delayed) and it's typically about a year after that before the final version hits stores' shelves.

A short term, low cost gap filler for you might be something like the new Asus Chromebox at $179. You'd continue using your old monitor (if it has an HDMI or display port input) but essentially have a new cloud computer that would let you surf the web, play Farmville, and do much of what you can do with a standard computer. You may end up deciding it does everything you need and just keep using it. Here's a link to the Asus Chromebox if you're interested.

http://promos.asus.com/us/chrome-os/chromebox/

It's kind of a neat little device. Here's a link to an article talking about the Chromebox.

http://www.mobilebloom.com/google-gets-more-chromebook-support-from-the-asus-chromebox/2242800/

Gardenman, thanks for posting about the Chromebox. I hadn't seen this before. How cool!

Lynnj · ‎03-21-2010

On 2/17/2014 free-spirit said:
I agree with glb613.

XP will continue to run fine. Just make sure you keep your virus software up to date and be a little more vigilant about the websites you visit and e-mails you open.

I bought 2 Windows 7 PCs after it was EOL. Microsoft will support the operating system through 2020. You can only get Windows 7 through the manufacturers so look on the Dell, Toshiba, HP, etc websites.

Windows 7 is much more popular than the 8 versions. So much so that HP which stopped selling Windows 7 is now making a big push into that market again.

It is an easy transition from XP to Windows 7.

I wouldn't go as far as saying windows XP will run fine once it's no longer supported later this year. It will run, and all of the software CURRENTLY installed will run too. But like said in another post, what they mean by no longer supported is that Microsoft will stop issuing updates for XP. 1) this will make you more vulnerable to virusus. You will no longer get security updates for XP. 2) new programs and software will not be compatable with XP. As your current software gets updates it will no longer function properly on XP platform. Ask anyone who has an older iPhone or iPad on the ios6 platform who didn't switch to ios7. You'll see that they couldn't update some of the apps they had installed, and some that were able to update apps found those apps didn't work correctly because they still run on ios6.

Lynnj · ‎03-21-2010

You don't necessarily need to replace the entire computer just because your current operating system (XP) will no longer be supported later this year. If the computer still runs fine, you could just by an updated windows operating system software. What you'll get is a CD that you'll slip into the CD slot of the computer, and using this process you'll be directed on how to remove XP and replace with a more current operating system. This is a much cheaper option than replacing an entire computer. I think amazon is still selling windows 7, so if you want it you better hurry. Of course you can find windows 8 for sale everywhere. One last thing....might want to look at the specs of the computer you have. The newer operating systems tend to use a lot of RAM. You'll want to make sure you have enough RAM (and a little more) on your current computer to handle the updated software and have enough RAM to handle all of the things you do on the computer. If you don't have enough RAM, then you are back to replacing the entire computer as a better option, although RAM can be replaced and updated on a computer as well.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/17/2014 Lynnj said: You don't necessarily need to replace the entire computer just because your current operating system (XP) will no longer be supported later this year. If the computer still runs fine, you could just by an updated windows operating system software. What you'll get is a CD that you'll slip into the CD slot of the computer, and using this process you'll be directed on how to remove XP and replace with a more current operating system. This is a much cheaper option than replacing an entire computer. I think amazon is still selling windows 7, so if you want it you better hurry. Of course you can find windows 8 for sale everywhere. One last thing....might want to look at the specs of the computer you have. The newer operating systems tend to use a lot of RAM. You'll want to make sure you have enough RAM (and a little more) on your current computer to handle the updated software and have enough RAM to handle all of the things you do on the computer. If you don't have enough RAM, then you are back to replacing the entire computer as a better option, although RAM can be replaced and updated on a computer as well.

Do you really think an old computer will run Windows 7? I don't. If you think the XP computer is slow, try running Windows 7 on it. The OP needs to get a new computer.

Lynnj · ‎03-21-2010

Yes, I do think an old computer can run windows 7. But as I pointed out, you need to make sure you have enough RAM, as well as hard drive space. I didn't previously mention hard drive space, but I would think that is a given, so didn't think to mention it. A computer is just a shell, RAM, hard drive, operating system, etc. can all be replaced with something upgraded. If one couldn't do this there wouldn't be replaceable parts/ operating software all over the market. It's a huge business.

Lynnj · ‎03-21-2010

See this link, look at scenario 2. There is a hyper link to determine if your existing computer has everything it needs to upgrade to windows 7. If it says no, then you need to determine what is it deficient of, then decide if it is worth it to replace the parts just to upgrade, or would it be a better option to just replace the computer. http://windows.about.com/od/windowsosversions/f/FAQwindows7Upgrade.htm