Should I Wait for Window 8?

Crystallization · Aug 14, 2011, 08:00 AM

I'm currently using Windows XP but I want to know if it's worth it to buy Windows 7 or should I wait for Windows 8 to come out? I've been reading some tidbits about Windows 8 and it seems promising in what it has to offer. But I have some reservations about Windows 7 and I'm afraid or spending money for a "new" Start menu and some flashy icons all of which I probably wouldn't use seeing as I like to keep my OS nice and light, like only 68MB-memory-usage light.

So...wait for 8 or be in heaven with 7?

mkk · Aug 14, 2011, 08:46 AM

Windows 7 has a lot more improvements than first meets the eye, but on the current system specs I would recommend sticking with Windows XP. An upgrade around the time when Windows 8 comes out perhaps.

(there will likely be some free demo of Windows 8 that you can try as well)

OldBuzzard · Aug 14, 2011, 01:23 PM

OK, first thing is, your system is a bit long in the tooth. Are you planning on upgrading any time soon? If so, I'd say wait until you do.

If not, then I'd recommend that you go ahead an get 7. Especially if you have 4GB Ram, or can upgrade to 4GB.

The advantages the you will have with 7 are just too much to not upgrade to it. Especially in terms of security.

As far as "I like to keep my OS nice and light, like only 68MB-memory-usage light."....that might have been true for XP, but not Vista and/or 7. Both of those OSs use memory in a different way than XP, and "keeping it light" really doesn't give you any advantage. With Vista and 7, the MORE memory you see being "used" the better. That "extra" memory being used is part of Superfetch, which makes both of them much more responsive than XP.

Once you see just how good 7 is, you will kick yourself for not upgrading sooner.

IvanV · Aug 14, 2011, 02:04 PM

If you're talking about the OS you'll be using on your future Monster Photoshop Rig, then you should really go with 7 x64, it will be a big improvement over XP.

If you're talking about the one in your sig, keep XP.

***Veridian3*** · Aug 14, 2011, 04:13 PM

Agree with IvanV, for the Photoshop rig go with Win7 x64 which will allow you to run the 64bit version of Photoshop, taking advantage of your hardware.

ada1984 · Aug 25, 2011, 04:23 PM

agree wait

Crystallization · Sep 3, 2011, 10:03 PM

Okay. Thanks for all of the comments!

I wasn't so much asking about XP vs Win7 but whether or not for my next computer upgrade if I should just hold out for Windows 8 to come out or send the money sooner to buy Windows 7.

If Windows 8 comes out early next year and has some substantial improvements over Windows 7 then I'll go with that. If it comes out much later next year or does not have enough improvements over Win7 then I'll just go with Win7, simple as that.

As for RAM usage, I'm not locked in at using only 68MB but I look to achieve the lightest possible setup with all optimizations enabled. I've spent a long time tweaking XP and I'm sure that I'll be doing the same for my next OS. XD

Aug 14, 2011, 08:00 AM	#1
Crystallization HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 47 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Should I Wait for Window 8? I'm currently using Windows XP but I want to know if it's worth it to buy Windows 7 or should I wait for Windows 8 to come out? I've been reading some tidbits about Windows 8 and it seems promising in what it has to offer. But I have some reservations about Windows 7 and I'm afraid or spending money for a "new" Start menu and some flashy icons all of which I probably wouldn't use seeing as I like to keep my OS nice and light, like only 68MB-memory-usage light. So...wait for 8 or be in heaven with 7? __________________ Check out my art thread or my deviantART gallery.

Aug 14, 2011, 08:46 AM	#2
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,495 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: Should I Wait for Window 8? Windows 7 has a lot more improvements than first meets the eye, but on the current system specs I would recommend sticking with Windows XP. An upgrade around the time when Windows 8 comes out perhaps. (there will likely be some free demo of Windows 8 that you can try as well)

Aug 14, 2011, 01:23 PM	#3
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Re: Should I Wait for Window 8? OK, first thing is, your system is a bit long in the tooth. Are you planning on upgrading any time soon? If so, I'd say wait until you do. If not, then I'd recommend that you go ahead an get 7. Especially if you have 4GB Ram, or can upgrade to 4GB. The advantages the you will have with 7 are just too much to not upgrade to it. Especially in terms of security. As far as "I like to keep my OS nice and light, like only 68MB-memory-usage light."....that might have been true for XP, but not Vista and/or 7. Both of those OSs use memory in a different way than XP, and "keeping it light" really doesn't give you any advantage. With Vista and 7, the MORE memory you see being "used" the better. That "extra" memory being used is part of Superfetch, which makes both of them much more responsive than XP. Once you see just how good 7 is, you will kick yourself for not upgrading sooner. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Aug 14, 2011, 02:04 PM	#4
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,921 Rep Power: 336 System Specs	Re: Should I Wait for Window 8? If you're talking about the OS you'll be using on your future Monster Photoshop Rig, then you should really go with 7 x64, it will be a big improvement over XP. If you're talking about the one in your sig, keep XP. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Aug 14, 2011, 04:13 PM	#5
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 182	Re: Should I Wait for Window 8? Agree with IvanV, for the Photoshop rig go with Win7 x64 which will allow you to run the 64bit version of Photoshop, taking advantage of your hardware.

Aug 25, 2011, 04:23 PM	#6
ada1984 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Re: Should I Wait for Window 8? agree wait

Sep 3, 2011, 10:03 PM	Thread Starter #7
Crystallization HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 47 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Should I Wait for Window 8? Okay. Thanks for all of the comments! I wasn't so much asking about XP vs Win7 but whether or not for my next computer upgrade if I should just hold out for Windows 8 to come out or send the money sooner to buy Windows 7. If Windows 8 comes out early next year and has some substantial improvements over Windows 7 then I'll go with that. If it comes out much later next year or does not have enough improvements over Win7 then I'll just go with Win7, simple as that. As for RAM usage, I'm not locked in at using only 68MB but I look to achieve the lightest possible setup with all optimizations enabled. I've spent a long time tweaking XP and I'm sure that I'll be doing the same for my next OS. XD __________________ Check out my art thread or my deviantART gallery.