Update to Windows 7 or 8?

I run a hybrid workflow, scanning negatives with an Epson V700 into Lightroom 4.2 and PSE 9; digital images from my Pentax K10 and K5 also go into the mix. BW stuff is printed wet, color either farmed out or on an Epson R1800.

I've been using Windows Vista Ultimate (x64) Service Pack 2for a couple years and I'm generally satisfied with it. Do any of you folk see any value in upgrading to Windows 7 or 8? I'm running 12g RAM on a 2.67 gigahertz Intel Core i7 920.

Thanks for any thoughts.

AM sure a smarter IT person than I will chime in; however, when I had to get a new computer with Windows 7 there were lots of issues with the drivers on various piece of equipment, i.e. scanners, printers, etc.

You are probably aware there is no direct migration path to Windows 7, so there's that whole data backup thing you need to be concerned about. I went from XP to W7 this summer with a new machine. Still working out the kinks. I had to install a new driver for my R2400 this week (told you it was a process) and will try to get it working this weekend. My fellow IT geeks advise me to avoid Windows 8 because it's supposed to be MS "universal" OS and will look the same to any device. I'm not sure I'm ready for touch screen photo shop.

Joe Lipka said:

You are probably aware there is no direct migration path to Windows 7, so there's that whole data backup thing you need to be concerned about. I went from XP to W7 this summer with a new machine. Still working out the kinks. I had to install a new driver for my R2400 this week (told you it was a process) and will try to get it working this weekend. My fellow IT geeks advise me to avoid Windows 8 because it's supposed to be MS "universal" OS and will look the same to any device. I'm not sure I'm ready for touch screen photo shop.

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This is incorrect. If you go to the MS store website and download the Upgrade to Windows 7, it simply updates the GUI and a few other functions, but for strictly coding purposes, Vista SP2 and Win7 SP1 are identical underneath and everything will work. It should take about 30 minutes. I would recommend against Windows 8 at the moment because I have been beta testing in a VM environment and find that without a touch screen, the new Metro theme is fairly worthless. It's kinda a pain in the ass to use with a mouse and keyboard.

You will see a definite improvement moving from Vista to 7 though and I would highly recommend it.

-- IT Consultant

Many thanks to all for the user based advice! My bud Richard, who is an IT guru, says he's seen a number of negative reviews of 8, but that 7 has been well received, and that many bugs have been worked out. I'll probably go with 7.

I would never upgrade the OS without buying a new computer. That is I would never have an OS that is newer than the hardware it run on. So my computers are now running XP and they will stay that way until they die. If I were to buy a new computer shortly I would get a Windows 7 rather than 8. Yes there will be a lot of problem with older peripherals like printer and scanner. For example I am sure my Minolta Dimage Dual Scan IV won't work with Windows 7 but what I would do is to keep my old computer for the scanning task.

Windows 8 is bad that on gaming sites now let linux user in .
To keep windows 8 out.

if its not broken don't fix it

I had no option to go from Windows XP to version 7 after my computer caught fire. The big difference with going up to Windows 7 or 8 (I have 7) was the problem that a lot of the add-on hardware will not work without serious searching for software usually 3rd party to make it work . Most of my early kit was 32bit whilst Windows 7 and the later version are 64bit.
I lost the use of my Nikon LS5 scanner, My printer and the Wacom graphics board. Also I was using Photoshop version 6, with 2 more recent upgrades (CS2 and CS4) and I had to speak to Adobe and ask them to send the download to my computer so I could use it. They have ceased to do this since, so if my computer fails again all is lost as far as Photoshop. Stay with what you have if at all possible it will be easier and cheaper as long as the device is working.

I have tried Windows 8 and just cannot get on with it! As for getting Windows 7, I think you will be hard pushed to find a new computer running Windows 7

I upgraded my WinXP SP3 system to Windows 8. (Well, it was not an upgrade really, I installed a fresh version of Window 8 on an empty partition, and can still dual boot into the older WinXP.) The tile system just does not work on a monitor that is not a touch screen. But, all was not lost. I downloaded and installed the free 'Classic Shell' from here: Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements. This allows you to have a normal shell, just like WinXP or Windows 7. Works like a charm! I had no problems getting my Epson 750 or Epson 3880 running at all. Another plus is that it takes 1/3rd the time to boot up!

Upgraded to Win 8 on my desktop last week. So far it has been pretty painless. Scanner, printer, display, software, etc. all seem to work just fine.