Windows 8 or Windows 7?

[Ardemax]

On the whole, which one do you prefer and why?

Is Win7 more practical and is Win8 just for showing off?

Really keen to hear your views on this

[xxMATTGxx]

Windows 7 or Windows 8. They are both good operating systems and are quite stable with hardly any issues whatsoever. Regardless of not having a start menu in Windows 8 - I hardly notice it missing any more. Also the better start up speeds on a normal hard drives and other improvement/features make me like just more than 7. But I would use both any day on a regular basis.

[lawrawrrr]

I actually really like windows 8. There's a few aesthetical problems I have but I really like the speed and stuff Matt said!

[ToyTruck]

I would probably say windows 7 back in its golden days I never really had a problem with it.

[RyRy]

Windows 8, not in its current state, but come Windows 8.1 I think it'll be greater than Windows 7.

Plus just good to go with the latest because you'll have to upgrade sooner or later!

[peteyt]

Windows 7 or Windows 8. They are both good operating systems and are quite stable with hardly any issues whatsoever. Regardless of not having a start menu in Windows 8 - I hardly notice it missing any more. Also the better start up speeds on a normal hard drives and other improvement/features make me like just more than 7. But I would use both any day on a regular basis.

This

While windows 8 definitely has a few problems most of the people complaining about the missing start menu are those who are refusing to try it. I remember when I first heard there was going to be no start menu I wasn't happy but once you start to use Windows 8 and get used to it you realise it can actually be for the best.

The start menu in a sense is actually there just different as in the Metro Start menu. I love how I can search for settings, apps, files and actually choose the category to. The tiles can be handy although some are buggy and moving them around isn't as easy as it could be (right-left but no up down) but I think it's worth it.

Interestingly me and a friend where talking about windows 8.1 earlier and the apparent windows 8.2/windows 9 rumours and how people where still hoping for the start menu to return. He told me he thought they should bring it back but I pointed out it would be a mistake because if they did everyone would probably use it again. The problem really with the metro start menu isn't with the menu itself but simply change and I feel by giving an option to also use the start menu people will refuse to adapt.

However if you want just a simple operating system and cba trying/learning windows 8 then try windows 7. That's not saying windows 8 is hard to learn but there are some slight annoyances, mainly changes that will confuse people. I didn't know for example where to go to shut the computer down at first and you can't access safe mode from startup anymore. Most of the changes though are easy to follow

[Firehorse]

Depends on the hardware. If you don't have a touchscreen then Windows 8 is not as nice to interact with, however with a touch screen Windows 8 is amazing! I have a Lenovo Yoga and cannot fault it.

[Mark]

Depends on the hardware. If you don't have a touchscreen then Windows 8 is not as nice to interact with, however with a touch screen Windows 8 is amazing! I have a Lenovo Yoga and cannot fault it.

This, although i don't have a touch screen windows device I have tried W8 on one and loved it! However for day-to-day use I'd say W7

[mrwoooooooo]

windows 8.

[Chippiewill]

Windows 8 is unfortunately touch first, however from a power user perspective it makes little difference, I keep most of my applications pinned to my task bar anyway. With the upcoming 8.1 update a lot of gripes will be fixed, and considering the general benefits of Windows 8 (Such as boot up speeds and better SSD handling) I don't see any reason to stick with Windows 7.