Upgrading Windows Operating System

[lomuamart]

I'm a typical computer dinosaur but am thinking about upgrading my operating system. I'll still on XP but it won't support some of the things I want to do any more.

What are peoples' views of the latest systems? Should I go for windows 10 or an earlier version? I don't know yet, but any upgrade is more than likely to be a copy version if that makes any difference.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[buksida]

Well if you have a computer running XP it is likely to be ancient which means it will struggle running any newer version of Windows (they get fatter each time).

IMO Windows 7 was their best one but it is no longer supported by M$. Windows 8 was a nightmare as it was designed for tablets so 10 would be the way to go as the best of a bad bunch of operating systems. You'll prolly need new hardware too though.

[lomuamart]

Thanks. I had read about the hardware on some review sites about Windows 10.

[robcar]

I would suggest saving all the stuff you need on to a new stand alone hard-drive or a few usb sticks and buy youself a new PC. Your old operating (OS) system is never going to be uprated. There are some good deals around for new systems. I recently bought a Lenovo all in one, 1TB drive 22'' monitor machine from a retailer in Blueport, for a bargain price.

[HarryVardon]

Get yourself a new computer. Lenovo & HP are selling good standalone (all-in-one) computers for a very cheap price that include Windows 10. I don't understand how anyone can still be using older versions of Windows they are totally unreliable and much harder to use than Windows 10. There may be arguments for using Linux or MAC instead of windows but there are absolutely no arguments for using old versions of Windows. I switched to Windows 10 on the first day it was released. I am a member of the windows fast ring which means I get a new version of Windows every single week. I have never had any problems. If you are using strange hardware attached to your computer or abnormal software then you can expect problems. More than 90% of Windows users only use basic hardware and software and therefore never have a problem. One thing you should always do in modern times is to use your hard drive as little as possible. All documents, photo's, etc. should be stored in the cloud (Onedrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). If something does go wrong then nothing will be lost. Even your Windows 10 software is now in the cloud so a computer can be repaired without a CD. Microsoft has tried to make things easier and easier over the years. At first they were a long way behind Apple but now they have left Apple behind. Linux is a good operating system but no use to computer dinosaurs as you call yourself. Get onto the latest version of Windows 10 as soon as possible!

[Dannie Boy]

I’d second that - if you move to a laptop with an SSD drive, you’ll be absolutely amazed with the speed of the machine

[handdrummer]

If you want an HP with Win 10, I have one for sale. Used about 3 months. It has a 15" screen, comes with carrying bag, headphones and some soft plastic things to keep your cords from tangling. PM me if your interested.

[lomuamart]

Thanks for everyone's replies.

I've got a desktop not laptop and if I replace the computer (which would appear to be the way to go) it would be with another desktop.

[buksida]

I wouldn't focus too much on brand names, its just what's on the a box - the innards are more important, and of course the warranty.

Lazada has a good range of reasonably priced desktops, an average spec for today's needs would be an Intel i3/5 or AMD Ryzen 3/5 CPU with minimum of 4GB memory and an SSD. It'll fly compared to that bag of bones you're currently using.

Last one I built I got from here creating my own spec: https://www.jib.co.th/web/pcsetspec/main

[Suua]

Use Amazon if you're going to buy individual parts.....do not buy anything from China!
Do not use Lazada!....the world needs to send a message to the totalitarian dictators.
Move businesses to India.

[lomuamart]

OK, thanks for the info.

Rather than order something myself, I'll probably be more inclined to take your spec, buks, and put it all in the hands of someone like Mr Don.

[Robinhood]

Another possible alternative.

Can you expand the system you have? I recently brought back from the UK a 10 year old Dell laptop. A family member had given up on it.

It only had 2GB RAM, but I bought a second hand card upstairs in Market Village and expanded to 4 GB.

The biggest improvement came when I swapped the old hard drive for an SSD electronic. I got a guy at Market village to do this. I also found the product code for Windows XP on a sticker below the battery and Microsoft let me update to windows 10 for free online.

I spent about 3,500 baht in total. My laptop is big and heavy but now runs great.

[DSB]

Buy a new laptop with Windows 10. After using it for a while, especially if you install new office features, you will wonder why you were using your existing system for so long.
Desktops are getting archaic. A laptop has a battery system, along with a charger, which reduces the chances of electricity spikes blowing up your computer. You can still use your computer when the electric has failed. You can move your laptop around the house or even outside to work. You can put it on the desk where your desktop used to be. There are many more advantages to having a laptop and they are a lot cheaper now.

[VincentD]

If you have the space, keep the old cpu and get a new one with win10 installed. Use your peripherals with the new one to do what you need. I still have a desktop with XP on it so I can play retro games, the other one is a pain because it updates every other day and locks you out while at it.
I also have a laptop running win10 which is my go-to, but I do use it with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse not for comfort than anything else.
Oh, and a MS Surface combi tablet/laptop which I am still coming to terms with. Trying to figure out how to use the d#*&!! pen without a physical keyboard and mouse moves is almost the height of frustration..

[HarryVardon]

If you are just using a computer for internet, email and office applications a laptop is the best choice. The only problem with a laptop is the screen size. If you want a bigger screen you will be forced to buy an all-in-one or other desktop. If you use a desktop or all-in-one in Thailand you must use a UPS! As stated in one of the earlier posts all the power cuts we get in Thailand can cause loss of data and other computer problems. A UPS will solve this (they cost about 3000 Baht by Banana). As I said in my earlier post, Don't keep documents and photo's on your own hard disk unless you back it up at least once a day. Keeping files in the cloud means that they are continually and automatically backed up and can be accessed from any computer.