Should I "Get Windows 10"
 

I'm getting a prompt on my Windows computer (Lenovo ThinkCentre i5 with 4 GB RAM) to reserve my copy of Windows 10.

I'm torn.

On the one hand, I want to keep my Windows skills fresh.

On the other hand, I've got a good thing here. Win7 works quite nicely and the dual-boot with Linux (currently Mageia) is seamless. At the same time, I have no crucial data on the Lenovo; for all practical purposes, it's test machine.

I'm also afraid that, if I "get Windows 10," it will break the dual-boot irretrievably and I don't want to be roped into some stupid licensing scheme. Nevertheless, I'm tempted (see above about keeping my Windows skills fresh), and I could always blow away Windows on the Lenovo and put a real OS on it.

I do have two Zareasons and a Dell that boot Linux quite nicely.

So what do you all think? Is it worth the risk?

(Signed) Curious in Virginia.

I put aside a laptop for the preview - because of the embedded keylogger and not wanting to mess any of my (linux) systems.
I didn't turn it on (or update if) for several weeks (it's not on my network) and now it's broken - DLL error.

Hellloooo !!!!.

I skipped Win8, and was looking to Win10 as my next option, now not so sure. And I'm betting the "free" upgrade will come at a cost - to be revealed in 12 months or so.

Hi...

Along with the keylogger issue, another consideration is if your laptop can handle any additional weight without slowdowns or dragging. ;)

Regards...

syg00
i have a install of win 7 that the update FUBARD
( moms computer)
win update tried fixing it by UNINSTALLING windows update
it is a GOOD thing i got a install disk from the OEM


i have had SO MUCH less issues with opensuse than windows

even FEDORA 4 on up have been less trouble that Windows

It is looking like MS is moving to a monthly licensing scheme like office 365
i bailed with XP
the only reason i have 7 is i have a install dvd

with NO desire to buy 7 ,8 or 10+


now i do consider Windows to be like ( metaphorically ) heroin
with the doctor giving me NEEDED prescriptions for oxi ( software i need that dose not run in wine)

i am close to getting a ten years of keytags

Probably you don't like it, but I think moving to windows 10 will not keep your skills. You need to learn it and use it and if you do not really need it you won't do that (and if you need it you must do that).

Looks like the "upgrade" reminder merely reserves you a copy when it goes GA on (supposedly) July 29. It'll download itself then.

Think I might wait till January.

I suspect you're already paying that "cost" in frustration.

My jury is still out. Seems like every 4th or 5th release is somewhat OK. NT was ok, XP was ok. 7 seems to be ok. Same as you, we stay away from 8.

I go by what clients ask for. They want applications for Windows, but no one specifically cares about 8, they're all running 7. Those asking for 10 right now are just speculating that if they're going to pay for R&D right now they believe they want cutting edge.

I'll go with "I don't have time to explore and run risks until I'm paid to do it.

If you want to "keep your Windows skills fresh," you should work with as many older versions as you can find. For instance, Windows-XP is still, by far, the most widely used system. When 64-bit hardware became the norm, many people moved their corporations to Windows-7. And, they intend to remain there.

And frankly, at this point, you'd be better focusing your attention on Linux, Unix, and its various offshoots. The computers that people now use are computers which they hold in their hands, keep in their pockets, or strap upon their wrists. And, "Microsoft and Windows is not there." Nor will they ever be.

Don't bother with XP, it's not longer supported. Sad in that arena, but reality. Hence go with W7 plain and simple. I think the world now knows that W8 is worthless with the exception that it can run W7 capable applications.

I guess the real question would be whether or not large corporations are deploying Windows on a large scale. I would say yes, my relative works for a defense and aviation company and they constantly mention how upgrades to Windows, like XP to 7 and/or upgrades to Microsoft Office as well as Sharepoint occur and usually break things, but fix why they can or can't read documents. Sounds like their company is using Windows for "Corporate" even if they use Linux or something else for servers and R&D.

(re @sundialsvc post) Horse-shit.
My customers want Windoze. Period. Some won't even allow non-Windoze connection.

Some of us have to keep Win skills - even if it's just logging in. Most of my customers give me a laptop for access - use that, nothing else.

Them what pay makes the rules.

Thanks for the all the input. I will certainly keep an eye on this thread for future contributions.

I think the Lenovo is plenty powerful, but I haven't looked at the Win10 specs yet. I'm most concerned about losing the ability to dual-boot it. (By the way, it's not a laptop; it's a 23-inch all-in-one graphics tablet with a touch screen. It is, quite frankly, a darn nice piece of workmanship that Lenovo can be proud of.)

As for "keeping my Windows skills," that's more a matter of pride than of need. I do have one application that runs only on Windows that I like to use from time to time (and, no, it's not a game--it's a DRMed hard drive of an archive of a publication of which I am a long-time fan).

I am surprised to see that no one has mentioned that Windows 10 is a rolling release that will probably require a paid monthly, bi-yearly or yearly subscription to keep those lousy Windoze updates coming in.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32658340

I actually didn't know about it until now. I would suspect that if this increases what folks are already paying for a copy of Windows, we will be seeing even more Linux and Apple users. Or they will just use the copy of Windows without paying for any updates or upgrades....if that's allowed. ;)

Regards...

Thing is that most pirated copies of Windows were receiving updates even though Microsoft knew they were pirated. I am sure now that that gravy train will be departing very quickly. Sure people will find another way to still use pirated copies, but it will be more difficult to get updates directly from Microsoft.

Along those lines, I wonder if Microsoft's initiative in China will bring about the results they desire? ;)

Regards...