Windows 8

[Variety of Cells]

So, how long before Microsoft updates/fixes this? I'm getting to the point where I need a new computer, but I'm hoping to leapfrog over Windows 8.

Windows 7 still works great.

And new computers don't come with it.

I'd say build your own machine if it's desktop (not hard at all, newegg will guide you), or go refurb.  I just bought a refurb laptop for my mum with Win7 on it.  Works great.  If you're trying to leapfrog 8 I think you'll be waiting a little while, and there's no guarantee whatever comes next will be any better.  Win7 is tried and true.

My desktop is fine; it's the laptop which is starting to churn and chug. I actually did buy a real copy of Windows 7 for my last desktop build, but don't they lock it off and disallow using it on more than one machine?  Something about an online verification code?

Yeah, you're basically paying for the code.  You can go on Newegg or Amazon and just buy another code (OEM) instead of the full retail copy of Windows (with CD).  I think it's $99.99 for Home Premium, or $139.99 for Professional.

Ah. If you had windows 7 on your laptop already you could just move it to the new laptop. But unfortunately that's not the case.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Actually, if the laptop had a touch screen Windows 8 wouldn't be that bad.
It's when you try to do stuff with a mouse that Windows 8 becomes horrific.  Well, once you start a program it's fine, it's horrific to set up the start screen the way you want it with a mouse.

Basically they took the old start menu and replaced it with a tablet operating system, not thinking that most PC users don't have touch screens, and even most of the new computers sold with windows 8 don't have them.  I've heard it's even worse if you are using a touchpad, like most people use on laptops, it sees some of the actions as being swipes or something like that so it gets pretty frustrating.

I've seen ads for a new HP windows 8 PC that converts between a tablet and a laptop, haven't seen any reviews of it.  But it looked interesting in the ad.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Just went looking at prices, those convertible laptop-tablet things are pretty pricey.

[McDonald's]

[MartyS (Gromit)]

I never had a problem with windows 95, I never used ME anywhere but windows 2000 was crap.

[Locuststakethesky]

I guess I've been lucky since I've only ever had 3.1, 98, XP, and 7.  I've used ME which was crap, and when someone tells me they have Vista I throw up a little in my mouth.