My PC is pretty much on it's last leg. Takes way too long to load PP these days and I am going to buy something new soon.

I heard most PC's now have Windows 8 and are very hard to use. I have XP and kinda know how to run it after 5 or 6 years. Not a geek here!

So, I guess my question is, anybody run 8? Any good? Any other answers for me as I'm gonna do something soon.

Thanks,

fp

Fred, I wish I had better news for you but if you buy a new PC, it will come with Windows 8. It takes some getting used to but its OK. If you upgrade to the pro version, you can then run a previous operating system but not sure if that makes much sense.

I'm impressed with windows 8.

Don't worry about moving from xp to win 8..the operating system is similar enough you won't have any problems..as far as buying a new pc..look to buy from newegg.com or tigerdirect.com for the best deals.
Alternatively..use a local guy who builds PC's and tell them what your budget is then compare all the specs between what the builder can do versus what you could buy for the same price.

Fred,

My grandparents (85 years old) and my parents (fifties) have both recently purchased new computers... their needs from a computer are basic: email and minimal internet, no need for social media or any hoolabaloo.

Both purchased computers from Big Box (Costco/Best Buy/Whatever) for less than a thousand bucks, and since most computers are plug-n-play (turn that sucker on and go!) they managed. They aren't very computer savy, but they figured it out quickly. I think they got XP.

While I am no techno-stud, I can recommend that you get a basic, affordable unit and find some local kid/fishing friend hot-sh!t computerwiz to help with the basics. Bribe me with one of those awesome clam guns and I will be over their in a jiggy

You will be able to toggle between two different screens/views, one screen will be for the apps and the other screen is for the traditional desktop view.

Hewlett Packard has a good introduction video on the operating system. It will take a little bit of getting used to and accessing your settings is completely different.

My dad recently bought a laptop with Windows 8 and I got to play with it a little when I was visiting. Windows 8 has some neat features, but I found it frustrating. He didn't like it and ended up returning it. I think one of the reasons is he thought it had touch screen capability, but it didn't.

It'll just take you some time to learn the system and get used to it.

You can still get Windows 7 PCs online. I just ordered an Asus laptop with Windows 7 Professional last week.

For example:

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPad-Core-Windows-Laptop/dp/B006ZB20J2

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Asus-13.3-ZenB...remium/21862794

Windows 8 is fine.

Stay away from building your own machine. Actually knowing fp, I'm not too worried about that.

Moravec summed it up pretty well. Buy from Costco. Get a 5-year warranty unless your neighbor is a geek.

I think that you meant this Parker

Get a warranty unless your 5-year neighbor is a geek.