Windows 10 - Convince me.

[gamerprinter]

I tried Windows 10 for about 6 hours yesterday (from the free upgrade from Win 7). While I didn't necessarily hate it (and like the OP, I don't use other electronic mobile devices: cell phones, tablets, etc.), but for some reason Win 10 couldn't find my appropriate monitor, nor its appropriate driver. It used a generic monitor driver, that had the wrong resolution setting (which I couldn't change) and the aspect ratio was wrong - meaning the screen image was wider than it should have been. Since I'm a graphic designer and use my PC to create graphics (especially maps) having wrong aspect ratio means a square appears as a rectangle - not a good thing for graphic design. There was no way to easily point to the correct driver, nor change the resolution even from Windows Settings Menu. Then spending a half hour on the phone with technical support, getting an Indian support person who had no idea what I was talking about nor how to fix it. I subsequently uninstalled Win10 and went back to Win 7...

Regarding whether Windows continues to support Win 7, does that really matter? As long as the PC still works even without an update, why would you need support. I run a graphics shop with several computers, most using a different OS. I have 2 Win 98 machines still in use still using Win 98 and they work fine - I have some old software that I still use on those PCs that won't work with newer OS's. I have 2 PCs using Vista, and both machines and the Win 98 machines are networked together. My Win 7 machine isn't on the network, as its ethernet connection is used for online access - and the other PCs on the network use ethernet to connect them. If I need to move files from my Win 7 machine, I just copy the file to a jump drive and physically use the jump drive on my Vista machine to get it into that network. When I purchase my next computer, it will no doubt have Win 10 on it, so I can wait until then, before I have to use it.

 

[Umbran]

And it'll probably work.

And, by reports, that's correct.

But "probably" may not be enough for someone considering upgrading their own and only machine - the "if I brick this I have *nothing*" person who isn't themselves an IT professional is not unreasonable to be a bit risk averse.

It's not about the fancy widgets. It's about snapping your OS to be the current standard. For free.

But, for what gain?

In the distant past, I used a full tower, and I did lots of hardware upgrades to extend the life and put off investing in a whole new machine. Then, keeping up on the OS makes some sense. But, now I work with a laptop that I am unlikely to pop open and alter myself. The only external hardware it uses is a fairly standard wireless network laser printer.

Am I really apt to have to worry about not having the new and standard OS before some other issue or need is likely to make me want to replace the whole machine anyway?

 

[Janx]

I too would wait as long as possible before changing to a different operating system.

MicroSoft has a history of releasing products and TONS of patches to fix problems that should have been done before its release.

So changing from a stable operating system to one that is not yet "fixed"...

Like I said, IMO, I'd wait to one MUST changed.

Also, what if this new operating system is not adaptable to your hardware? Your computer is older and the processors not fast enough, memory not big enough, etc.

This offer of getting it free, but then having your computer crash and being unusable...

you can always image it with the Win7 backup and restore utilities first

There's a year to upgrade. So waiting a bit hurts nothing. But I would make a plan to upgrade as I have done.

 

[Janx]

And, by reports, that's correct.

But "probably" may not be enough for someone considering upgrading their own and only machine - the "if I brick this I have *nothing*" person who isn't themselves an IT professional is not unreasonable to be a bit risk averse.



But, for what gain?

In the distant past, I used a full tower, and I did lots of hardware upgrades to extend the life and put off investing in a whole new machine. Then, keeping up on the OS makes some sense. But, now I work with a laptop that I am unlikely to pop open and alter myself. The only external hardware it uses is a fairly standard wireless network laser printer.

Am I really apt to have to worry about not having the new and standard OS before some other issue or need is likely to make me want to replace the whole machine anyway?

Games, apps. My wife is a PC gamer. There are games coming out that are Win10 only that she wants to play. It's a factor for her.

And I am an IT professional, so my risk is minimal (nor am I going to call anybody for support).

 

[Jan van Leyden]

I've change to W10 on two of our four computers. On our son's Win 8.1, it seems to be interface changes, only, while on my Win 7 machine our weird mouse problem seems to have vanished after the first rounds of updates.

Only thing I'm really missing from Win 7 is the quick shutdown sequence...

 

[Thunderfoot]

<SNIP>
Also, what if this new operating system is not adaptable to your hardware? Your computer is older and the processors not fast enough, memory not big enough, etc.

This offer of getting it free, but then having your computer crash and being unusable...<SNIP>

Not really a concern since I built this thing from the ground up about 2 years ago so I'd have some technology headroom. (Pre-builts - ick)

 

[Hand of Evil]

Only thing I'm really missing from Win 7 is the quick shutdown sequence...

not sure what you mean, but hit the Window Button, click power and you will see options. You can also create a desktop icon that runs the command "shutdown /s" or /p (no warning)

 

[Jan van Leyden]

not sure what you mean, but hit the Window Button, click power and you will see options. You can also create a desktop icon that runs the command "shutdown /s" or /p (no warning)

Several years of using [Windows] - [Cursor right] - [Return] leave traces. Everything doable without touching the mouse is a big plus for me!

 

[Ryujin]

Not really a concern since I built this thing from the ground up about 2 years ago so I'd have some technology headroom. (Pre-builts - ick)

I've been in the industry, in one way or another, for almost 30 years. I've build my own and I've put together packages for industrial assembly of PCs.

I buy pre-built

 

[Hand of Evil]

one of the new feature I do like is the virtual desktops.