Need new "budget" laptop; does Windows 8 really suck?

My 8 year old son dropped my circa 2006 Vista machine and cracked the LCD. The cost and effort to repair that makes little sense, so I want to upgrade to a newer machine. My budget is $300 or less. I can get a new 15.6 3MG/320MG Windows 7 machine (which looses mainstream support next year, and all support in 2020)...or I can get a Windows 8.1 machine with 4MG/500MG. In playing with the '8' machines at the store, I am not all that initially excited about the OS, and have heard a fair bit of negative regarding 8 in general. Is it really that bad? Are the refurbished machines (mostly 7) worth considering to save a few bucks? The computer is used for iTunes (storage of about 5000 songs), surfing, email, word processing, spreadsheets etc. Not a heavy gamer...but do like watching videos on youtube or the like.

Any advice?

I just "upgraded" in a similar scenario. with 8.1 you can ignore all the "windows 8" ish stuff and have a reasonably normal experience. Still a few things I'm getting used to but its not as terrible as 8.0 was

It's fine, things are little different, but no big deal. If you passed 2nd grade, you'll do just fine with it.

the Apple store here sells a lot of new desktop/laptop computers that come with Win. 7

if you have an Apple store in your town you might try them and see…..

My computer has win 8 I downloaded chrome so the only time I deal with win 8 is when I first turn it on and thats it so far. I suppose I will have to eventually familiarize myself with it but I am a crotchety bastard and I dont like change

I actually liked Windows 8, and subsequently 8.1 detracted from the ease of some features and added others. So...

I also have a Windows Phone 8, so it was really nice as most apps sync from one to the other and the general workings are pretty similar.

I have not had a single problem with either 8.0 or 8.1 and routinely do most of what you describe above.

Why Windows anything, what about a Chromebook? Do you really need an actual lap top, or would the Google experience and lower buy in work for you?

I'm starting to consider this at home. We've always been an Apple family, but we're slowly branching out, first Samsung tablets, now an Android phone and so far the universe has not imploded on me and turned into a black hole. Strange I know. Right now I'm trying to decide if a 'real' lap top is worth the extra over a nice chromebook for 99% of what the computer is used for in our house. The single biggest hang up I have is that once the youngest goes to high school they use MS Office.

I've got 8.1 and I'm happy with it. I don't mind the 8 style stuff at all. A touch screen makes the experience a little neater, but wiht a $300 budget, you will be happy.

the easiest thing to do to get ready for windows 8:

if you have windows 7 now, use the MUCH improved start menu typing interface instead of clicking thru menus.

This works when you end up in the 'metro' interface of windows also.

if the only way you know windows is using the start menu to navigate folders, you will have a frustrating experience making windows 8.1 work for you.

But if you've been used to just hitting the start button and typing 'control panel' to make it come up, you're gonna be fine. (this improved system has been available from the final Vista service pack and in Windows 7 for a while.

thats my feeling, anyway.

Are they really dropping support for win 7 already? That's ridiculous.

dropping primary support next year, meaning i don't think it will be sold to the general public. extended support continues until 2020.

It's like a whore with your Credit Card...it just never stops sucking!

If you are stuck with it, there is a third party app that will turn the machine back into a computer.

Did I mention that I don't really care for it?

You can get a free emulator to make Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 act like earlier versions. Classic Shell is a good example. Wouldn't recommend doing it as it ends up crippling you because you never learn to work the software you have.

While I am not a giggly fan of Windows 8/8.1, it can be learned and operated. No worse than when we went from windows 3.11 to 95. We all screamed, and survived.

There is also the linux systems to add onto whatever computer you buy, and have a dual operating system. It's free.

Dumb Q for the technically and geek gene inept. What's really wrong with Win 8.x for 99.999% of people out there?? BEaring in mind I've lived with Windows at work since 3.something and whenever I get a new computer or upgrade at work I notice the difference between the new and the old for about 30 mins then never ever think about it again. I click on the program I want and use it. End of story. What is so catastrophic about each new version that people whine and complain about for months or years until the next generation arrives so they can whine and complain about that instead. I haven't used Windows at home since 95 so I haven't had to install anything myself since 1995, but it just works. I get to my desk, turn on my computer and use it. Simple as that.

It's mostly a cheese movement problem.

I'm fairly computer literate, recently tried to help an old friend set up 8 on a new machine. It is a roiling bubbling nasty piece of shi+ if using a keyboard and mouse, but if you are using a touchscreen (like my daughter's) it's okay. Not great, just okay.

Do this:

And you'll essentially enjoy the same user experience as Windows 7.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

what boxhead said.

thats why I suggested learning the start menu search function. it works very well finding your cheese.

I bought a new laptop with Windows 8 pre-installed. After about a week of trying to use/like it I gave up. Maybe I could eventually figure out where everything was hidden, but in terms of the GUI it's just a mess. The solution was to slick the hard drive and dual boot Windows 7 and Linux Mint. Now I rarely use Windows, but when I do it doesn't make me want to kill something.

JoeTR6 wrote: Maybe I could eventually figure out where everything was hidden, but in terms of the GUI it's just a mess.

Everything is revealed by right clicking start.

You can get to the device manager with 2 clicks. Windows 7 is a mess by comparison.

Or you could probably replace the LCD on the old lappy with an evilbay one for under $25.

I like and have zero problems with 8 and I don't have a touch screen.

If you still have Windows 8.0, don't forget to get the free upgrade to 8.1.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

Why? 8 does everything I need it to without trouble and I don't like changing things that I don't have enough knowledge about just for the sake of change. I've tried to read about it but my eyes just gloss over and nothing gets through.

It actually does improve the mouse usability and makes the whole thing work a little smoother. Think of it as what 8.0 should have been.