Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 8.1

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TheGamerN

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Hello,

I have a question about Windows. I have both Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 8.1 (Legal versions). But which of the two is better? Will it make a lot of difference in peformance or is it just personal (for me Windows 7 works a but better). I will be doing some gaming and document editing.

 
Solution
Dark Lord of Tech
They both perform about the same:


With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.


Windows7-2.jpg



OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware...
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Dark Lord of Tech

Dark Lord of Tech

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They both perform about the same:


With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.


Windows7-2.jpg



OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com


Windows8-1_zps0f2f36f7.png



Windows 8 is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx
 
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casper1973

casper1973

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Windows 8 isn't cloud based. OneDrive is just a program very similar to DropBox which you can use to share/sync/backup data. It's been around for years and works on Windows 7 too (previously called SkyDrive). You don't have to use it if you don't want.

I think you are confusing Office 2013 / Office 365 which has OneDrive integrated so you can save files directly to "the cloud." Again, you don't have to use this if you don't want to.
 
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junkeymonkey

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''Love it or hate it, Windows 8 is ushering in a new era of cloud-connected Microsoft services, a unified user interface, and more-robust social media interaction''

I like this part of 8--- Microsoft has been vague when asked for the specifics of how it defines and detects prohibited content. Although it’s understandable that the company would ban the uploading of illegal content, Microsoft’s decision to serve as a moral authority on prohibited private material seems excessive. --- so if Microsoft thinks your seeing too much porn they just cut you off??
 
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casper1973

casper1973

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No. That quote is referring to people using Microsoft services to store/distribute illegal or copyrighted material. For example if you upload a pirated film to OneDrive and give out the link on a public forum. This is when you would get "cut off" and rightly so.

Also, the "new era of cloud-connected Microsoft services" is referring to thing such as OneDrive, Bing search and logging into the desktop with a Microsoft account etc.
 
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kajjot

kajjot

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I've been using 8.1 on my PC for few months and now find windows 7 so dated.
Once you get Win8 set up and personalized , it's much nicer to use than Win7.
Also it runs quicker than 7 and works great as media centre through the metro UI with all the full screen apps available for it.
 
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T

TheGamerN

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You are right there. I myself have been using Windows 8 for a few months. But in comparrison to Windows 7, I think Windows 8 is just to complicated. Windows 7 is much simpler to use. But, like you said, Windows 8 is faster indeed. So I will see what's more important to me: Speed or simplicity
 
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kajjot

kajjot

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I think 8 is simple. I think the word you're looking for is "different" rather than complicated.
I just think there is not much point buying out of date software.
I have my PC connected to 40" TV and 23" monitor.
When using it on TV i have Netflix and native W8 VLC which are great for entertainment.
 
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