[BJinTX]

We have a Dell computer running Windows XP less that 5 years old. It keeps getting slower and slower. We have changed providers. We need to update our home computer and would like to buy a laptop for traveling. We travel to Clermont, FL alot.
After reading about Vista and Windows 7, I have a few questions. We had 7 years ago and had it taken off then due to all the problems. It sounds like it will be a hassle to update and there seems to be alot of questions if 7 is worth it. We need to back-up everything as it will not save, etc.
Do we update to Vista at home or wait for 7?
Do we buy a laptop with Vista as they will be giving a "free" upgrade to 7 or wait for a laptop with 7?
OR buy an Apple even tho we would not be using all the bells and whistles but it seems like it would run smoother.
Thank you in advance for all your help. BJ

[Herb]

I noticed in the Sun that on July 20th at the learning college. A class on the merits of buying a mac will be addressed. If I can hold out that long I will be attending. Herb

[midstatepc]

Windows 7 runs much better than Vista ever did. I would say wait for the official release of Windows 7. There was a free offer to download and install a beta version a couple of months back. It will run until June of next year. Don't know if it's still available. But I've installed it on an older laptop and a newer desktop and have no complaints about it. As far as transferring everything over from XP, your software probably won't transfer over automatically, if it will work at all. some older software packages have problems, while others run fine. There is an easy transfer utility and cable available to help transfer over all of your software and files, I don't know the exact price, but expect to pay around $50 for it. as for getting a mac, sorry, can't help there. most of my experience is in the pc arena. Tigerdirect.com has an offer to get a pre order of windows 7 for up to 50% off when you purchase a qualifying desktop or laptop computer.

Since you travel a lot, I'd recommend a laptop for your next computer. Especially if you plan on spending a couple of days away from home and want to keep up on email, TOTV, etc... Also, you might be interested in using a data plan from your cellular provider. Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon have data plans available where you can use your cell phone as a wireless modem for your computer. It has helped me out a lot in the past and I continue to use it to this day. it's usually an additional $50 per month for the data plan.

[Hawkwind]

Windows 7 is sweet. It is what Vista should have been. One of the problems with Vista when it first came out is that Microsoft wanted users to upgrade their older hardware such as printers and sound cards to newer versions and they did not create drivers for the old stuff. When users installed Vista they found out things did not work. Programmers had to change their programs around and in the business world companies did not want to do that. I know ours did not want to change.

Microsoft listened to the users and the business world and made 7 more like XP.

I work in the tech support department and a couple of our guys have been playing with the last two releases of Windows 7 on their lap tops and they love the program. They say it has the feel of XP but the speed of Vista. They have not been able to lock it up and they tell me that they can't wait for the final release.

Myself, I will be placing my pre release order for Windows 7 Pro this week.

I think I will get the beta of Office 2010 (aka Office 14) and load it on a test PC at work and see what it is like. There was a BIG jump in going from Office 2003 to 2007 so I don't know what else they can change.

Saying all that I would get a lap top with a good processor and as much memory as possible and go for Windows 7.

[ijusluvit]

Do yourself a favor and put "apple/mac users" in the Search box. It's a very recent thread. The 20 some folks who say why they love Macs ought to convince you how much better their hardware, software and user support is.

[TrudyM]

I have been looking at laptops also, trying to figure trade offs on cost versus speed. I was told to go for 7. I think I am going to go for the best processor I can get, as I want to be able to use HULU when I travel. I plan to use it as my only computer as the new laptops have great capabilities. I have never come across a new gadget that wouldn't interface (if I downloaded the right driver) with a microsoft system but I can't say that for mac. Had one a few years back, hated it. That said I am an excel junky and that may be why. Also companies all use microsoft so switching back and forth between one system at work and one at home was a pain. I had a hard drive crash in my old pc because my fan died and I didn't notice and it overheated. When I reloaded the thing (after replacing the fan) with xp and files from my backup flash drives that I had my never can do without stuff on, the little window poped up and said It detect hardware without drivers and it went off to the net and found what I needed. That was XP as I understand it 7 is the same. With stuff saved on a flash from a pc I can plug it in to a computer anywhere and have the files I need even if I didn't bring my laptop, when I travel the business centers in hotels etc. never have macs.

But that just my experience I'm not a computer expert by any means.

[BJinTX]

Thanks for everyone's help! Y'all make it sound like 7 will be alot easier than what I read on the web. And the download should not be as complicated.When you read on the web, it sounds like you need to be a computer expert to figure these things out. I will probably go for the laptop also.
We are still in South Texas - trying to get health insurance in Fl. and then we seriously look for a house in The Villlages. We have visited and like it. And have family in Clermont - less than 40 mins away. It was 102 here yesterday do the weather issue won't be a factor.
Thank you and have a great week! BJ

[villages07]

A little bit of a hijack from the original thread, but....

Yes, a number of vendors are offering great pre-order pricing on Windows 7 (49 for home premium, 99 for pro).

My primary, fairly new, Dell computer has XP on it and a number of older version application software packages. It sounds like if you are upgrading an XP computer to Windows 7 (vs upgrading Vista to Win 7) that the Pro version of Win 7 is advised if you want all your old software to keep working.

Any of you folks who have used Win 7 have thoughts on home premium version vs pro for an XP upgrade?

[BJinTX]

Great question - I never even thought of the different versions. I also would love to know what any one thinks. BJ

[Hawkwind]

I will be going with Windows 7 Pro and it will allow for a remote connection as the Home version does not. This will be on my current PC that is running the 64 bit Vista Home addition. The remote connection will allow me to connect to my home PC as if I was sitting ion front of it from anywhere in the world through my HP Windows Home Server. All I need is an Internet connection.

[GatorFan]

I just purchased the Dell Studio laptop. Love it. No problems at all.

[Yoda]

Windows machines are cheap when compared to Apple. Technology changes very fast. $399 to replace a pc every 3 or 4 years is a lot better than a couple of grand for an apple.

IMHO

Yoda

[faithfulfrank]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Windows machines are cheap when compared to Apple. Technology changes very fast. $399 to replace a pc every 3 or 4 years is a lot better than a couple of grand for an apple.

IMHO

Yoda

The Apple Mac mini is $599, the Macbook laptop is $999, the imac desktop is $1199, less with the discounts.....not $2000.

There is more to the cost of a computer then the initial cost. This post is being typed on an 8 year old imac that has never crashed, never gotten a virus, and can still run the latest Mac OS perfectly. And believe it or not, this model is currently selling on ebay for around the same price as I can buy a new entry level windows computer.....even after 8 years.

It has proven to be a very economical and owner satisfying purchase.
I'll buy quality over cost anyday.....

But I'm not here to argue. Thank God we have choices....I "switched" eight years ago and will never go back......

Frank D.

[mitchbr47]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

The Apple Mac mini is $599, the Macbook laptop is $999, the imac desktop is $1199, less with the discounts.....not $2000.



There is more to the cost of a computer then the initial cost. This post is being typed on an 8 year old imac that has never crashed, never gotten a virus, and can still run the latest Mac OS perfectly. And believe it or not, this model is currently selling on ebay for around the same price as I can buy a new entry level windows computer.....even after 8 years.

It has proven to be a very economical and owner satisfying purchase.
I'll buy quality over cost anyday.....

But I'm not here to argue. Thank God we have choices....I "switched" eight years ago and will never go back......

Frank D.

Your prices pretty accurate for the Macs. I can get slightly better prices with a small business discount. You get what you pay for. Of course, these are entry level prices. A bit more memory is recommended. No one in this forum ever mentions that Intel based macs sold the last 3 or so years can also run Windows XP, Vista, or the current beta-Windows 7.

Those recent Microsoft TV commercials about pricing are misleading. The one that sticks out is the videographer. All video screens are not the same quality. She never mentions what she edits the video with. Is there another investment of $800 to get professional software such as Adobe Premiere to edit the video? Reality check- she is an actress doing a commercial. Just like I'm a Mac 'm a PC.

Lots of people look at just the price tag. The big factor is the long term cost of ownership. One must not only consider the hardware, but virus software and repair costs. My January 2003 17 inch Powerbook was an investment of over $2700. That is a lot of $$$. It has paid for itself over the years. Granted, most people in TV are in that situation. That comes out to less than $500 over 6+ years. With a logic board and dead pixel issue, a free replacement was shipped with no hassle I'll take that any day. Tech support is great. Do you really want to talk to Mike, an outsourced technician in Asia about your PC?

If you are happy with your experience with Windows keep using it. One of my children runs Windows 7 beta on his Mac and it runs pretty smoothly. He only uses it occasionally for work.If you are getting fed up with constant problems, lack of things working cohesively such as drivers for printers, confused about which or 5 or 6 flavors of Vista you should buy and all of the virus and spyware issues take another look.

Isn't it great to have buying choices and competition?

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

The Apple Mac mini is $599, the Macbook laptop is $999, the imac desktop is $1199, less with the discounts.....not $2000.

There is more to the cost of a computer then the initial cost. This post is being typed on an 8 year old imac that has never crashed, never gotten a virus, and can still run the latest Mac OS perfectly. And believe it or not, this model is currently selling on ebay for around the same price as I can buy a new entry level windows computer.....even after 8 years.

It has proven to be a very economical and owner satisfying purchase.
I'll buy quality over cost anyday.....

But I'm not here to argue. Thank God we have choices....I "switched" eight years ago and will never go back......

Frank D.

I guess I have never been interested enough in Apple to keep up with the prices. Sorry for the bad information. I have been working with personal computers since The first non hard drive models. I have never worked for a company that used Apples. I gusee I'm just too old to change now.

Yoda