Most of our staff still prefers 7. If you do go with 8, definitely go with 8.1. You can download third party software to make it look more like the older versions of windows, but its kinda silly to get a new computer and have to download software to make it look like an older version. My advise is to get your hands on a windows 8.1 and test it before making a decision. If you can grasp it, go for the 8.1. Otherwise, it would be better to stick with 7. Remember, it's better to buy something you love, rather that be stuck with something that is new and annoys the dickens out of ya!

When we moved to The Villages we needed to get a new computer so we bought one at Sam's, an HP with Windows 8. I kept it for about two days and hated it more each time I used it. Windows 8 is not a minor change. It is DRASTICALLY different from Windows 7. I am no novice with computers, I was a computer trainer for many years. I took back the computer with Windows 8 and went on Amazon.com and got a fantastic HP computer with Windows 7 and could not be happier. That would be my suggestion. Hope that helps.

Just bought dell w/win 8, & could not X-fer several programs from my old laptop to the new one, & it has too many apps provided that you must clean out to avoid the screen clutter.

Http://classicshell.net makes 8 and 8.1 look and feel just like Windows 7

My new laptop came with 8.0. Big changes, but you can work your way through. As already pointed out, you can use "classic shell" and you will likely never notice a difference from windows 7.

I did the upgrade to 8.1 and within two hours of use my laptop locked up and would not do a complete reboot. After a safe mode boot, I uninstalled 8.1 and went back to 8.0. No problems now for the last three weeks.

For the most part you will not see any reason to go to 8.0 or 8.1 unless you have a touch screen. You can still buy 7 everywhere. You can even buy new a new pc with 7 if you like.