New PC, Argos still selling with Windows 7.

[Sparklysilversequins]

I have heard so many bad things about Windows 8. I am looking for a new desktop or laptop and Argos are still selling some of their desktops with Windows 7. Should I go for that or is that limited thinking as Windows 8 is here to stay and I should just get on with it?

Also I would mostly be playing games on it but I am not a "gamer". Will use for other things too, studying, storing photos etc and that's about it so would I be better off with a desktop? Will a lap top run games well?

Many thanks.

I don't think there's much reason to move to Windows 8.

I'm pretty sure there are still systems around with Windows 7 and a Windows 8 disk included. That strikes me as a sensible compromise.

Which games do you play? It might be worth googling how well they run on Windows 8 because some of them don't, especially older games. New games will be no problem at all.

Aside from that I would just go with it - it isn't that hard to get used to, people just don't like it because it's different. There's nothing wrong with it technical wise.

I play The Sims 2 & 3 mainly sad I know but I love it and I am a lone parent so need something to keep me occupied after dc have gone to bed.

Just check out the graphics card on your choice of laptop. Ideally for games you would need a dedicated graphics card as opposed to a shared graphics card.

Be careful not to get ripped off by a smarmy sales man trying to sell you a gaming machine just cos he hears the word game. You won't need a full spec gamer unless you're wanting to play all the graphics greedy new games - COD, Medal of Honor etc.

There are plenty of lower spec laptops ie not full spec gamers which will have a dedicated GC capable of running sims.

Haha! Same here For sims 2 you want 7 without a doubt. Plus both sims games tend to make a laptop overheat, you will have to prop it up on some books or DVD cases to make sure it's ventilated.

But yes - Windows 8 is still doing funny things with Sims 2 and I also refuse to upgrade until someone cleverer than me on the sims forums figures it out.

Win8 does run faster than Win7, especially on slower hardware. If you want Win8 but want it to look like Win7, you can download and install (and pay £2 for) a program called StartIsBack.

If you're looking for a Win7 laptop, take a look at Misco.co.uk too. Plenty of them there.

Er, there are loads of free programs which will give you a start button in Windows 8. Not that £2 is a fortune but no need to pay if you don't want to :)

Hardware wise yes it is preferable, but if you're stubbornly clinging onto ten year old software then sometimes you need to put off upgrading until it's been cleared by people who know how.

For future reference OP this site is very very good for both Sims 2 and Sims 3 related hardware/software questions:

www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements/MTS2_Recommendations