New Computer Purchase with Win 8

[4breezes]

We're considering buying a new laptop from Costco, a Dell Inspiron with W8 pre-installed. Dealing with Costco, you buy what they offer. I seriously doubt, and haven't found, that there is an option to buy this laptop with W7 rather than W8.

The fact is that I'm just a bit uneasy about W8. What are my options if I/we don't like W8? Can it be made to look and act like W7? I can deal with W7, so would want that as a fall-back. Could it simply be replaced with W7? How much hassle would that be?

I'm just trying to feel my way along here in the darkest corner of an unlit room, so please bear with me. We want/need a new laptop, but I don't to shoot myself in the foot.

Happy Thanksgiving to all here.

[Welshjim]

4 breezes--Downgrading can be done
http://www.pcworld.com/article/20151...d-to-know.html
But not too easily.
Does the new Dell have a touch screen? Is the version of Win 8 Window 8 Pro? Maybe just shop around town and look for a Win 7 laptop?

[jdc2000]

There are also free or inexpensive ($5) software packages that will restore the Start button and get rid of the Metro interface.

[Shinma]

As a precaution,
Check the laptop manufacturers' website to see if they even have the drivers for Windows 7.

[Shinma]

Additional word of caution,
Unlike standard desktops/workstations, tier-one manufacturers, Compaq, Dell, HP, Lenovo... frequently use proprietary/modified components
so
Even if Windows 7 drivers is listed at the manufacturers' website,
Driver support will likely vary, if laptop was originally shipped with Windows 8.

[cdroman]

The free start button add on is good and will start your pc on the desk top. When you are on the desktop in win 8 it feels just like win 7. My wife had win 8 on her laptop for a week before I told her it was running win 8. Win 8 is very easy to use if you experiment a little. Browsers are a bit faster and work a bit better in win 8 than win win 7.

[4breezes]

This all sounds good. With software to add a start button and replace the Metro interface I think this idea moved on to the next stage. I suspect we'll go ahead this coming week.

Does anyone have suggestions on which software would be best? On just a very quick look last night, Vistart looked good. However, that was just a quick look.

Thanks for your replies thus far.

[cdroman]

http://windows8startbutton.com/ is the one I'm using, works well enough for me. I don't use it too often though as I switch back and forth between the desktop and Metro.

I use Chrome as my browser in Win 8; others are good as well
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...-182&foo=Which Web Browser Is Best Under Windows 8? 11-23-2012

[4breezes]

The new laptop arrived yesterday, but has not yet been set up. It is a Dell 3520, bought through Costco.

This is the laptop They show it "out of stock" already. It should suit our purposes well enough.

[snooker]

If you spend some time learning it you might end up liken it . I know its different from prior windows versions but I like it so far an it is faster too .

[4breezes]

We gave it a try for a while. I didn't like it, and my wife refused to use it. I found that every time I booted the laptop I immediately went to desktop.

Last night I installed ClassicShell. It now has the look and feel I'm familiar with, and, I think, all the speed and advantages of W8. We'll see how it goes.

[sheprd]

If I get a PC with W8 how do I go about downloading the START button? Must I learn to use W8 before down loading the Start button? Thanks for ant info.

[jdc2000]

If you can find Internet Explorer, that should be all you need to download and install a Start button replacement program. It shouldn't be too hard.

[sheprd]

Thanks jdc2000 I'm now encouraged to give a try