Win7, has been around for something like 7 years. It has already had its
first major service pack, besides several other fixes and updates.
Window-Eyes, has supported the OS ever since day one, meaning it too has
had a chance to rule out numerous bugs - besides getting more smoothly
working as the updates for the screen reader has been rolled out.
Win10, has not yet been released. Microsoft estimate they are releasing
it in the spring time, but who can guarantee? Even when it comes out,
all GW has told is that Window-Eyes in its upcoming version (9), has
been built so as to cooperate and support Win10. Still, since both Win10
and WE9 are still in their Beta cycles, you have no guarantee that
things will work smoothly. Actually, all experience tell that once a
product gets released, you see its real nature; and that more often than
not, includes a ton of childhood diseases. Smile.
A computer that runs Win7 today, will very likely be sufficient to run
Win10 as well. Otherwise, how could they perform the Beta. Furthermore,
the market hardly would accept yet another "go get yourself new
hardware, because we have invented a new software" from Microsoft. Win8
has - in the general market - got so many blows and thumbs down, that
Microsoft likely wants to do things right and more smoothly this time.
Even should you decide to await the release of Win10, you likely won't
find much cheap computers with the newest OS. Win7 machines are selling
now, because the manufacturers want to empty their stocks, and so do all
the dealers. Although it is a bit of a learning curve, when you come
from XP, I have to admit it is not too steep. What guarantee do you
have, that the mountain will be any less cumbersome to climb, when Win10
hits the market? Unless you are a techie person, that loves to play and
fool around with all new wistles and bells. Yet, the fact that you have
not updated already, kind of tells me you ain't. Smile.
Someone suggested to go for Win8 over Win7. I can see why, if you
strictly look upon the matter from a technologic and maybe even to a
certain degree security perspective. Still, I did buy a computer with
Win8, later upgraded to Win8.1, and was using it with WE8.4. It gave me
too much of trouble, that I would ever suggest it. And I finally got so
tired of not knowing how to do even the plain straight forward things,
that I parked the whole computer and got hold of a Win7 machine. Sad to
say, I have not regretted it. Searching the net, you find that I
definitely am not on my own. Why did Win8 never turn into too much of a
hit in the general consumer and business world? Win7 has been receiving
a certain amount of criticism, mainly due to the slightly changed
interface. Still, I do hold it is far less blowed than what Win8 has
become. Microsoft even has had to re-introduce certain features into the
upcoming Win10, that they removed from Win8 - like the startmenu. OK,
Win8 has been around for a few years, and if you decide to go for that
one, I am sure you will find it works one way or the other. At least, WE
has had a couple of upgrades whilst Win8 has been around, so you will
get a screen reader that is working well enough with the OS. I just
wanted to prepare you, that Win8 will give you quite some challenges,
with its rather different layout and ways of handling things. In that
sense, Win7 will be an easier step.
Whatever you do, you may want to not jump out and buy your next computer
same day Win10 is released. Let other, more techie and fricky people, do
all the testing and failing. I agree with one of the others on the list,
who said it may be a good rule to always keep one step behind. That way
you will get well-tested and proven solutions, and save yourself a ton
of headaches and frustrations.
Hope this did help you, and did not mess up your mind even more. Just
wanted to bring up on the table, a few things for your consideration.
David
On 11/30/2014 4:33 PM, Martha Reaney wrote:
Hi, folks.
Getting along just fine with my XP laptop for my personal use. But,
getting tempted with all of the holiday sales to get a Windows 7 machine.
Should I resist temptation and wait until Windows 10 is released?
Would be interested in hearing all pros and cons and considerations
that I should be mindful of in making my decision.
Thanks.
Martha
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