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Alan SilvermanFlag for United States of America

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Win8 for older users migrating from XP?

These questions specifically concern certain of my clients, older individuals uncomfortable with new technology and generally of limited means. Many still run WinXP.
 

I’m telling them that eventually they’ll have to get new machines and now is a good time to do it.  But they should go to Win7, not Win8.


1. Is my assumption correct that:

     A. Now is a good time to buy a new computer, but

     B. Win8 will be a very difficult transition for these people?

Or,

    C. Given my expertise, I should be able to configure these computers so they will be
         able to use Win8 machines.

2. What about peripherals, especially All in One printers they currently use on XP.  Will they be able to seamlessly use these devices on Win8?

Thanks,
Al
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Stelian Stan
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Right now I'm looking at outlet sites for Win 7 computers. How long before we will only be able to get Windows 8 machines?
Thanks,
Al
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Joe,
By outlet sites I mean places like the Dell Small Business outlet and the Lenovo outlet.  These machines are almost entirely  Win7.  I guess that Microsoft is pushing the big retailers to go with Win8.  Staples is almost entirely Win 8 and Best Buy is getting there.  

rindi,
I suspect there will be a strong push to buy Win7 machines because of Win8.  I wonder if it will be as big a disaster as Vista was.  Once again I am simply astonished by the arrogance of Microsoft.  My customers, older individuals who desperately need their computers but are baffled by the technology, simple don't exist to Microsoft.  I write occasional articles about broad issues in technology.  If I have time I'm going to write about this.  The crazy thing is that it makes absolutely no sense.  It just ticks people off.
The most important thing to these people is the interface.  And time after time, ME, Vista,
and now Win8, Microsoft changes the interface completely.

If I had a Linex machine that had a Win XP interface was was absolutely simple to learn for these people, I'd try it in a second. But what Microsoft has going for it with these people is that they are so nervous about technology they won't change a thing.  I have an older client, quite well off, who works on a Dell Dimension 4550.  It only has USB 1.1!  I can't even get her to go to a better machine with XP on it.

Anyway, thanks to all for your input.  It will be very helpful in getting some of these people to commit to new machines.  Although I have enough old computers in my basement, I could probably keep these clients supplied with XP.

Thanks again for your valuable input.
Al
Joe, thank you for the tip about Classic Shell.  I'll look into it.  

If you don't mind, I'd like to ask the ages of the experts who responded. Especially those who posted positive or at least not terribly negative responses concerning Win8.  I'm 65 myself.
Thanks,
Al
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I'm turning 52 on saturday.
On Medicare here...do you think I'd like W8 better if I were younger? :)
Happy B'day rindi....

56 here....
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what'sa matter, nobus, can't remember?
you hit the nail right there..but at 68 i don't care even if there is no nail
"Happy B'day rindi...."

I second the motion.

Now if we can only hear from clonyxlro and find out he's 17, my theory will be proven.
Thanks to all who commented and happy holidays.
Closing question.
Al
Sorry for the delays guys. I would like to be only 17 years old but I'm 38 :-((.
@clonyxlro,
Still a pup compared to the rest of the crew. :)