Hi there

The last time I bought a laptop was from http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/ I think they probably offer a service similar to the poster above who's used novatech. I bought personally from there, as I could buy the laptop without an operating system, and hence install what I wanted. I too work in IT, and have done for a considerable amount of time.

For those who feel a desire to remain with microsoft, then we only provide Windows 7 (getting more difficult for the average consumer to buy) windows 8 & 8.1 are atrocious, I think windows saving grace 'may' come with windows 10.

For those graphic designers etc, then, they have high powered macs

The rest of us, have Linux of one flavour or another.

Even with Windows 7, the proprtion of users who have the most issues are the windows users, fortunately more and more of those are seeing sense and taking one of the alternatives we offer....

If you have to have Windows, go with Windows 7, do not touch XP with a barge pole anymore, and attempt to avoid the mess that is 8/8.1. However I do recommend looking at a Linux based system, or even a Mac. Both Linux & Mac systems can have virtualisation software installed, that will allow you to run in effect a PC contained within your running OS. A good, and easy solution on that front would be virtualbox https://www.virtualbox.org/.

On a personal note, I haven't used a Windows machine in anger in over 10 years, and have not missed anything, but I still have to keep abreast of the changes, for those users at work.

Thanks for all the comments,  I shall not be making up my mind  until Feb but sorry to those who have Macs and run Linux.
I cannot afford a Mac ( No sarcastic comments about getting wet either)and have tried Linux. Red Hat 7, and several other distro's could not get on it.
I also refuse to try a Chromebook everything on them seems to be online based.

Today I used a Windows 7 desktop and a Windows 8.1 machine and actually quite like the Windows 8.1 machine.

Quote from: Oldman on January 09, 2015, 06:16:54 PM


Today I used a Windows 7 desktop and a Windows 8.1 machine and actually quite like the Windows 8.1 machine.

You need to go lie down in a darkened room until that feeling goes away... 

Quote from: talisman56 on January 09, 2015, 06:30:30 PM

Quote from: Oldman on January 09, 2015, 06:16:54 PM


Today I used a Windows 7 desktop and a Windows 8.1 machine and actually quite like the Windows 8.1 machine.

You need to go lie down in a darkened room until that feeling goes away... 

You are so unkind to Microsoft old chap. I prefer Windows 7 but 8.1 is good with a touch screen although not brilliant on a desktop. But - don't forget how many millions of people use Microsoft everyday with no problems and just the odd glitch from time to time. - Sermon over!!

I love Windows 7 and have found it to be rock solid over the last three years. I have not lost any data or had any driver/hardware issues.  Like Austinbob I did try a Windows 8.1 tablet the other day and I admit it worked really well and felt very natural in that guise.  Personally I prefer my Nexus 7 although Android is nothing amazing.

All I can say is that Microsoft MUST get Windows 10 right or they are going to be in the "do do". 

Paddy

Hi

If you have used RedHat 7, then you're going back about 12-13 years, and things have moved on immeasureably since then, or if if RHEL 7, then that's aimed more at a professional corporate enterprise level, as opposed to a consumer desktop, even though it can be relatively easily configured so.

However, if you're looking for a simple, dead easy to use & install version of Linux, as a desktop environment, then you really can't go wrong with Linux mint.

http://www.linuxmint.com/

Personally, I tend to use Redhat based systems, but they are what we use for our corporate web, cloud, apps and database servers, so configuring the desktops to work with them is pretty straight forward.

Cheers

Tony

Quote from: linuxyeti on January 09, 2015, 08:40:31 PM
Hi

If you have used RedHat 7, then you're going back about 12-13 years, and things have moved on immeasureably since then, or if if RHEL 7, then that's aimed more at a professional corporate enterprise level, as opposed to a consumer desktop, even though it can be relatively easily configured so.

However, if you're looking for a simple, dead easy to use & install version of Linux, as a desktop environment, then you really can't go wrong with Linux mint.

http://www.linuxmint.com/

Personally, I tend to use Redhat based systems, but they are what we use for our corporate web, cloud, apps and database servers, so configuring the desktops to work with them is pretty straight forward.

Cheers

Tony

I applaud your enthusiasm for Linux. Its the few people like you that are keeping it alive. However, as far as I'm aware you can't use it with all the standard programs that 90% of the globe use like Microsoft Office Apps and hundreds of other applications that are supported by Microsoft, some by Apple and very few by Linux. Linux, in my opinion, is for enthusiasts, not for everyday run of the mill computer users like me and most of the world's population. Sorry if thats a bit harsh but I happen to think its true.

I was about to say +1 for Mint if you really want to give Linux a whirl
It is the first ( and I have been playing with Linux since it fitted on 2 floppy ) that comes close to doing my everyday with no hassle.
But have to agree that Linux is mostly only for enthusiasts and masochists !
- which is why I use Windows for everyday
( actually, still Vista (second hand machine) the beauty of legacy windows, like XP as well on 2 of my other boxes, is that no self respecting virologist is writing gotchas for them any more ; the only cudos in that world is for breaking the latest Microsoft offering, so think twice before you upgrade )

Then we could talk about software, freeware for Linux is 'involved' to say the least ! Whereas freeware for Windows, in the main, just works, especially portable (no installation, no messing with your registry, no trace if it is writ proper!) freeware.

Quote from: austinbob on January 09, 2015, 08:46:53 PM
I applaud your enthusiasm for Linux. Its the few people like you that are keeping it alive. However, as far as I'm aware you can't use it with all the standard programs that 90% of the globe use like Microsoft Office Apps and hundreds of other applications that are supported by Microsoft, some by Apple and very few by Linux. Linux, in my opinion, is for enthusiasts, not for everyday run of the mill computer users like me and most of the world's population. Sorry if thats a bit harsh but I happen to think its true.

Oh dear

I appear to have rattled a cage there, well, let's get something clear shall we. Firstly the tone of your reply is very patronizing, and secondly blatantly untrue.

I'm a model rail, and rail enthusiast, and model aircraft and aviation enthusiast, and photography. I'm not an IT enthusiast I have my other hobbies, I'm an IT professional, not an enthusiast, I work with with Linux etc, Macs and Windows in varying degrees with work. My laptop, is a tool, and in the same way that I wouldn't use a butter knife to cut down a tree, I wouldn't use a Windows based operating for an efficient, easily updatable just working out of the box, secure flexible working environment.

As to the assumption that 98% of consumers use Windows, nah, Windows 8 & 8.1 only accounts for about 12% of the desktop market, and barely a blip on the mobile os stats.

http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/data-reveals-chrome-os-might-have-been-a-roaring-success-in-december-1278493

Now

Quote from: MalcolmAL on January 09, 2015, 10:52:16 PM
Then we could talk about software, freeware for Linux is 'involved' to say the least ! Whereas freeware for Windows, in the main, just works, especially portable (no installation, no messing with your registry, no trace if it is writ proper!) freeware.

I'm sorry, I can't see what you mean here? Unless it's something very specialized, such as gdal, python 3 etc, 'freeware' on linux couldn't be simpler, especially as there is more in the standard repositories that you are ever most likely to need. I have no issue using my laptop for work, and for the times I get bored, watching Netflix films/series. But as for database, office software, photo editing software, video editing software, cad software and many many more are all available in the standard repositories, and with most modern linux's can be installed by using the inbuilt software management tool.

Most apps that are portable, also have linux versions as well.

Cheers

Tony

PS. There is absolutely no way, we would run our 999 system on an MS Windows based system, and everybody should be glad about that !!

My desktop which I am on now is running Windows 7 Which I like a lot. My second desktop in the loft,my railway room was running xp but when i could get a copy of windows 8.1  cheap I upgraded mainly for security reasons, also xp is no longer supported by Microsoft. I use the old type desktop interface on mine I prefer that its ok but typical Microsoft why do they hide everything in the control panel. They make things hard to use sometimes which is very annoying, it's time they listened to their customers.

Quote from: linuxyeti
Oh dear

Oh dear,
I dont think we want to involve 999

pass

Not A&E, I'm on about Commmand & Control, also not NHS

Quote from: linuxyeti on January 09, 2015, 11:59:04 PM
Not A&E, I'm on about Commmand & Control, also not NHS

Who said anything about A&E ? Or NHS for that matter ?

Just seemed like a dig at the NHS and the A&E problems they've currently got

Quote from: linuxyeti on January 09, 2015, 11:46:41 PM
I'm an IT professional, not an enthusiast, I work with with Linux etc,

We note your enthusiasm for promoting Linux !
but I think you will find that here we are all enthusiasts of something and not after instituting combined services in regional control rooms !!

Now, as for the suitability of Linux for the average home user/ model rail enthusiast then I come back to Mint for those of an experimental frame of mind,
or stick with Windows for those who want a quiet life !

Hint to experimental modellers, dont do a partition/install of a Linux,
give it a whirl first with a 'live CD' and a flash stick. No sweat, no grief.
Then, if you like it, buy a bare PC and install it.