Windows 8.1

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Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 7:23 am Post subject:
This might help you understand OEM windows if you don't already: https://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/351598/how-to-buy-windows-7-for-50-less-the-truth-about-oem-versions Basically, it appears you get no help and you can only use it on the one PC and not move it to another if your PC fails. I don't know anything about 8.1 but if Windows 7 is slow will 8.1 help?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 7:30 am Post subject:
Sorry, not sure why I wrote limps along. It runs fine. But it does keep popping up suggesting it's not genuine. The article is clear, thanks.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 7:35 am Post subject:

Shane wrote:

I wasn't aware that there were people out there that actually wanted Windows 8. I thought it was just something that was inflicted on you nowadays when buying a new PC (which is why I'm only buying Macs until they replace it with something usable).

Windows 8, no, but 8.1, in desktop mode seems much, much better. We shall see.

It's his gaming machine, built with his own money, to his own spec. And therefore his own problem.

Shane

Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 3467
Location: Doha. Is hot.

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 8:30 am Post subject:

His problem until something goes wrong, of course..."Dad!"

Hopefully you'll be able to do complicated stuff like open the control panel in 8.1. I've given up trying to master the thing you have to do to the right of the desktop that occasionally makes four symbols pop up, one of which (if you can catch it before it disappears) brings up a screen that lets you search for stuff that used to be readily available on the control panel.

The maid gets very little help with her Windows 8-inflicted netbook, as there's only a few minutes I can spend on it before I want to destroy everything in her room.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 8:35 am Post subject:
Aye, I think 8.1 is the version that allows it to look like windows when it was usable.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 9:14 am Post subject:
It says Full Version so I guess that's what it means and not an upgrade. A guess is what it is though. I've just installed Windows 8.1 Pro on Dell desktop (5 years old?) after SSD died. It's much better that I expected, quite usable and has some really nice features.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 9:18 am Post subject:

Shane wrote:

Hopefully you'll be able to do complicated stuff like open the control panel in 8.1.

Just start typing "Control Panel" when on the touch desktop..

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0M0zPgJ3HSfrydBvq11e7ib7DaWZphwE

Shane wrote:

I've given up trying to master the thing you have to do to the right of the desktop that occasionally makes four symbols pop up, one of which (if you can catch it before it disappears) brings up a screen that lets you search for stuff that used to be readily available on the control panel.

That's not one of it's best features.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 12:53 pm Post subject:
I guess it is for the xbox generation. My youngest loves it. I am with Shane. My next computer will be a mac air.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Wed May 07, 14 1:15 pm Post subject:

alison wrote:

I guess it is for the xbox generation.

My youngest loves it.

I am with Shane. My next computer will be a mac air.

Put Windows on it either dual boot or Parallels (better). It's the best thing I did with my Macbook Air. I use Windows far more than OSX but it will give you the best of both worlds and you can switch between the two in less than a second.

Expensive though.

oldish chris

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport

Posted: Thu May 08, 14 6:46 am Post subject:

well Nick, I think that the link in Treacodactyl's post gives all the information necessary. The next question is about the computer. Is it's manufacture a one-off event, or will it go on for years like Trigger's broom? I wouldn't be surprised if, over time, bits get added or replaced. In which case, he needs the full price version.

To help him with his decision making, can I suggest an analogy of Windows versus Linux debate. A petrol-head spends hours explaining how a BMW is superior to a Kia in every possible way, and anyhow, he wouldn't be seen dead in a Kia. This is followed up by the question "Where can I get a brand-new Beemer for £7K?"

He wants Windows 8.1, £90 it seems.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu May 08, 14 7:12 am Post subject:
I think your first and third paragraphs are right. He may tweak the pc, but by the time the motherboard wants changing, there'll be a new version of Windows, and the difference in price between the OEM and full version means the new version would represent better value. The car stuff is a bit odd.

nats

Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2374
Location: Swindon but not a Swindonian

Posted: Thu May 08, 14 10:16 am Post subject:
Is he a student? If so look in to academic licensing. Can save you a packet

oldish chris

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport

Posted: Thu May 08, 14 11:32 am Post subject:

Nick wrote:

I think your first and third paragraphs are right. He may tweak the pc, but by the time the motherboard wants changing, there'll be a new version of Windows, and the difference in price between the OEM and full version means the new version would represent better value.

The car stuff is a bit odd.

It is a bit odd. (Its probably my innate meanness colouring my opinions

) What I was trying to say was if you want the right operating system (I'm not sure about the differences between "ordinary" and Professional) you have to pay the going amount. It might look like a lot of dosh ('cos it is IMHO), but longer term it'll be worth it, if only from the enjoyment point of view. Linux scores big time when any old OS would do. However, if your requirements suggest 8.1 and you haven't got £90 - big problem.

Because I suffer from terminal curiosity, has you son worked out the financial benefit of a DIY approach to building a PC?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu May 08, 14 3:03 pm Post subject:

Son is 15. Finances revolve around birthday money, and having not much else to spend it on. He saved, knew what he wanted, and got it. It might not be the best deal, in some senses, but it taught him stuff, and he's otherwise very low maintenance, so I'm cool with it. Buying the same system, ready built, would have been more expensive. The only difference between the Oem and retail version that matters is it's single pc use, and not easily, honestly, transferable, and around half the price. It means he can rebuy the updated version when he changes his pc in a couple of years, and there's no extra cost.

I'm pretty sure student versions were discontinued. I had one a couple of years ago, which is why the current installed OS doesn't believe it's real.

Windows has to be there, really, because school based software, and purchased stuff needs it. I'm sure there are Linux emulators for windows software, but that would involve me looking into them, and it doesn't interest me.

In your analogy terms, he has a BMW only toolkit, trailer, stereo, and his mechanic is a BMW only specialist.

oldish chris

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport

Posted: Fri May 09, 14 7:59 am Post subject:

Thank-you for the reply. Very interesting.

Nick wrote:

I'm sure there are Linux emulators for windows software, but that would involve me looking into them, and it doesn't interest me.

I rather suspect you'd loose the last of your sanity

When I first started sourcing PCs, initially for the family, then each of my sons, I used a small manufacturer based in Liverpool, (a cellar in a big old house in Bootle). The boys were able to assemble their own systems. I was advised that one should go to the big manufacturers for a top-of-the-range system - they get their hands on the latest stuff first, and for a bottom-of-the-range system - they can bulk buy the end of a production line. Everything else, build your own - seems this is still true. (***Downsizers - Money Saving Tip***)

I also think that you did exactly the right thing in encouraging self build. In my case, having seen my lads put together their systems, when the last of them left for Uni, I was able to put together a system from the left-over bits. (***Downsizers - Money Saving Tip***)

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