no more xp support. time for a new laptop?

Windows is not going to be supporting xp as of April and they say that continuing to use xp will be no good and it will become vulnerable. Is that just a ploy to get more money or will it actually become a problem?

If it is a problem I guess its time to upgrade seeing as my current one is 7 years old. I don't know anything about computers these days so what's a good one to look at? I don't need much. Just need to use office, the internet, and basic work stuff like adobe reader and such. I don't game or use video editing stuff so I won't be using a ton of memory or anything.

So I guess what should I look for and how much can I expect to spend for a basic setup

 

I wouldn't let their ending official support force me to upgrade, that's for sure. I'd keep on rocking the one you have if it suits your needs. If it blows up as some point, cut your losses and upgrade. You already keep backups of important stuff, right?

 

Windows 8 has a learning curve, it has nice features and probably everything you could want in an OS, with that being said I hate it.

 

Even though they don't support it anymore, it is a viable OS for several more years...the database that exists for XP and all the updates will still exist, just no more will be added....

Windows 7 is nice if you decide to move up a notch, Windows 8 has its problems right now, plus it may not play well if your computer has a whole bunch of 7 year old parts....

Hang with XP, for what you plan on using it for it is perfect....

 

I like 7. I only briefly tried 8 and hated it.

If you're current laptop suits your needs fine I wouldn't necessarily run out to get a new one.

 

I like my windows 7 laptop when it's not all fucked up... (Pretty rare)

Get a Mac instead.

 

get windows 7 for sure

 

From the list of uses you mentioned, I'd consider saving your money and installing Linux on your existing machine. Linux Mint or Ubuntu Linux are very easy to install. Heck, both of them have a "Live" CD that allows you to test it out before you even install it. Just download the ISO file, burn it to a disc, then boot off the disc. They both have Firefox or Chrome for WWW stuff, Libre Office for word processor or spreadsheet stuff, and PDF viewers. All for free!

 

When was XP not vulnerable? Supposedly any PC that could run XP could run Win7, but 7 years is pretty old for a laptop.

X2

 

Also, since you only use it for what you mentioned, you can get a new or refurbed laptop in the $300 to $600 range...I did this with my laptop three years back..

Cost=$650 delivered...HP DV7-4053cl Refurb (sure looked brand new to me)

What is came with:

Cpu 2.8Ghz dual core
500GB 7200 RPM hard drive
4 gig of ram

And HP's version of Win7...first thing I did was wipe the hard drive and installed a clean, uncluttered version of Win7 (Ultimate)...only installed the drivers necessary to get HP's shiza working right....nothing else, no phoning home, no intrusive software....

Then, as I could afford it, bumped the ram to 8 gig, then added an SSD as the main drive and took the original HD and made it the 'D' drive (there is room for two HD's in the unit I have)...

Slam dunk, fast, reliable, handles anything I throw at it...lots of storage....

Just some ideas for you to munch on...

 

I'll never understand the discontent over Windows 8. I was pleasantly surprised and have no use for the legacy desktop now. Just learn the following shortcut keys and you're golden.

Windows key + W = search bar for anything and everything on and off your computer
Windows key + X = menu for admin tools (control panel, device manager, network settings, task manager, etc...)
Windows key + C = charms bar
Windows key + E = file explorer
Windows key + R = Run (for CMD prompt)

 

This is why no one tries Linux or Mac. Most people don't even want to learn the next iteration of Windows, never mind a whole new OS.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I guess I will ride it out until my computer explodes. No need to upgrade if it won't be a serious issue

 

Linux is fine if you are kinda geeky, drivers can be a nightmare, but I understand most newer versions are much better....

As far as Mac's go, they have a dedicated legion of users, but, alas, the last few years they are rife with problems on some of the newer stuff.....not to mention the cost of some aftermarket parts if needed for repair...

Krap shoot no matter what you decide, I have driven both, prefer Windblows at present....

 

I think MS said they'll continue to provide updates for XP a bit longer. That would be the main problem for XP users. That and most software will be geared for newer pc's. For instance, websites that use a certain version of IE that can't be installed on Windows XP.

 

i think i'm going to move to win 8.1... been using XP for a decade, ...time for something different

 

I installed it in a VM first to play with it... not sure I like it enough to switch everything over yet...

 

Find a computer with windows 7. 8 is a bag of useless junk.

 

..doesn't win 8 have classical start menu-type interface than can be enabled if desired?... i.e. there are also some third party tools that can be installed to really tailor the interface, no?...