For those with Windows XP computers, what are you doing?

[taz157]

For those that have computers with Windows XP on them, what are you doing after Microsoft won't provide updates, etc. anymore?

I got my current laptop (Dell Vostro 1710) 6 years ago and it works well for me. I'm not a gamer, but I do keep our financial stuff on my computer.

I've been looking at new laptops and thought I would get others' opinion. What makers do you like? What makers do you think are a piece of #*(%)#? Bite the bullet and upgrade to Windows 8 or go with 7 (even though there will be no updates in about 6 years)?

FWIW, I've had Dells for the past several laptops and have been pleased with each one. I did see a Toshbia that looked interesting at Best Buy today and my old work did use Toshbia, which helped me accomplish my job.

My musts consist of 17 inch screen, 10-key pad and able to use Microsoft Office 2010 and QuickBooks 2013.

With Office 2010, I would have to install Office 2003 then install the update to 2010 that I was able to get for $10.

Thoughts!?

[JustLurkin]

Please be sure to upgrade your memory if you upgrade the operating system.

If you have the Office 2010 software, it should prompt you for the 2003 CD (as proof of purchase), after scanning it the software will install. Same with Windows 7, if you wanted to do a full install instead of the upgrade it will prompt for the lower software prior to installing.

Considering the new OSs have to be registered, I wouldn't be surprised if MS had some sort of way of disabling the software when they no longer want to support it.

I haven't used Windows 8, so can't comment on your original question...other than to say government is moving to Windows 7 and Microsoft has a vested interest in supporting the government, that's the only reason they've supported XP this long.

[Deleted]

Dell does provide Vista drivers for your laptop and Microsoft extended support is good through 2017.  If you could find an update to Vista, you may be able to stretch the old hardware out farther.

For new laptops, I really like Lenovo right now.  Over the years, I've rotated between HP, Dell, and Lenovo.  

Don't worry about Windows 8.1.  You can set it up to go straight to desktop now.  The next update, which isn't far out, will make it even more Windows 7 like.

[teen persuasion]

We were discussing replacing another public access computer at work, and the guy who will purchase it for us asked whether we wanted to go w/ Windows 8 or 7.  When 8 was coming out, he was all gung-ho to get it.  Now he and we are frustrated by it, and we are going back to 7, definitely.  Windows 8 has had all sorts of weird problems and inconsistencies w/ it; we can apparently only set up one user level (we want admin level and public level), and we can't get IE to work on it!  Not that we want IE, but this is for the public's use, and someone may want it.

He mentioned that w/ the lack of updates, any medical offices continuing to use XP will not be in compliance w/ HIIPA, due to the risk of hacking.  He also mentioned that most ATMs  currently use XP.  

[dannylion]

I'm going to hand my XP machine (a Dell laptop) over to my computer guru friend, and he will add memory and install Windows 7 and I will have yet another backup computer.  He did the same to my Toshiba laptop a couple of years ago, so I'm all set with backup computers.  I have an ancient Gateway XP laptop that I think will probably just become a DVD player.  I have a new Dell laptop with Windows 7 that is my main computer has been working well for me.  I like to have at least one backup because I still have my part-time job doing medical transcription from home, so if my computer died, I wouldn't be able to work until I got a replacement if I didn't have a backup.  

My friends have Windows 8 on their new computer and seem to like it.  I haven't had a chance to try it out yet.  

[Phoenix84]

Well, I'm a gamer so I usually do custom jobs on my computers, and pick the components myself.

For most people, Dells or Toshibas or Sony's are fine.

[wyouser]

We dumped the Dells with XP and put in 2 Lenovos. So far so good