G+_Steve Liberty Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 My 85 year old father-in-law needs a new computer. He has been using Windows XP for years. Not very tech savvy at all. Just does basic stuff. Windows 8 is different enough that I think he will have trouble getting used to it. What are the risks if I blow away Win8 on the new PC and install Windows 7, which should feel more familiar to him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Nate Schmolze Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 What risks do you imagine. I just got it installed on my work computer after a year long migration from XP. I imagine the 43% XP share of the Windows market are not going Metro. My sense is there is a greater risk with 8 than 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve Liberty Posted August 18, 2013 Author Share Posted August 18, 2013 I am imagining that the new hardware may not be fully supported by the available Windows 7 drivers. This new machine will most likely have a webcam at minimum (should be OK I think), but maybe some other new bits and pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Terry Sanderson Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I think he should be more comfortable with 7 but drivers may be a issue, but as many companies are sticking with 7 drivers may be around, but may take some digging to find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Richard Blackman Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Depending on what you mean by "does basic stuff" have you considered a Chromebook? I have found that a lot of 'older' people just use email, web, facebook etc. and all these things are done a lot more easily and safely on a Chromebook for a fraction of the price of a full PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Nate Schmolze Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Another option is tinkering with 8 so its more 7 like. I believe there are add ons that can give a 7 like interface. I have heard they are bringing the start menu back. But this is coming from someone whose experience with Windows 8 is limited to YouTube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve Liberty Posted August 18, 2013 Author Share Posted August 18, 2013 I love my Chromebook, and functionally, it might be OK. But he wants a laptop, and an 11" screen is out of the question. Even the HP 14" is smaller than he has in mind. I am still hoping to convince him to buy a 23" All-In-One instead of a laptop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Stephen Coyle Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 If he just does basic stuff, get him a nexus 10. No need to worry about software updates. He might just find the tablet easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Brad Whitfield Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Check drivers, as was mentioned already, but you will probably be fine. If you buy a system with Windows 8 Pro, I believe you can use the key to downgrade to Windows 7 Professional. Windows 8 isn't that bad, once you get used to it, especially if you have a touch screen. And 8.1 is set for mid October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Chris Cheatwood Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 From what I understand, some new Windows 8 computers use EFI instead of BIOS. I know that's very technical but if a machine has EFI you may not be able to install Windows 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Matthew Bowen Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Nate Schmolze You are just asking for problems by doing that. Looking like and functioning like are two very different things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve Liberty Posted August 18, 2013 Author Share Posted August 18, 2013 Potential EFI issues - that sounds like a deal breaker to me. It is going to be hell supporting him from 1200 miles away considering that I don't know much of anything about Win8. I guess I am going to have to at least build a VM with Win8 so I can try things before telling him what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Matthew Bowen Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Shouldn't have any problems with UEFI/EFI. Almost all have legacy/BIOS mode. If building there will be no issues, if buying check for Win7 drivers before buying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Matt Lasky Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Use windows 8 and put classic she'll on it. It looks like and functions the same as windows 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Vincent Tompkins Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Can you hold off until Win8.1 comes out? I'm using Win8.0 in desktop mode. He/you may have an issue with no Start button. I would also agree with the suggestion of a tablet as an alternative. Then just add a keyboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve Liberty Posted August 19, 2013 Author Share Posted August 19, 2013 Can't really wait. I will be visiting next week - only time I can help buy and set it up. I tried out classic shell, and it will help. This may not be much fun .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Chris Cheatwood Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 I agree with Jason, if the is just doing basic surfing, email, and social media it may be best to stick with a tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve Liberty Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share Posted August 20, 2013 Thanks to all for the comments and advise. My father-in-law basically uses a few web sites, sends some email, and plays some games. I really wants a large screen (17" if he goes with a laptop), so a Chromebook or tablet worn't really fly. Also, he is finding it harder and harder to learn new things, so we really need to do something that will look mostly familiar. Since he has been using XP, the Windows 7 look is as close as we can probably get. I can't really wait until Win 8.1 comes out, because I will be there and helping him next week. So, with all of that in mind, the advise about keeping Windows 8 and using a Win7 UI overlay (like Classic Shell) seems the most viable. There will still be some Win 8 changes that will be confusing, but something like Classic Shell should hide the big ones. Thanks again for talking this out with me. I will report back by the middle of next week on how it is going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Cole Brodine Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 You might consider something like Linux Mint. It is very easy to use and has the administrator capabilities locked down (if you want) so it is hard to break. It looks and feels similar to Windows XP. I think there are themes you can install to make it look identical to XP. It is free, so if he doesn't like it after trying it out, you aren't out anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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