Though some may disagree I vote for W8. Like all prior releases I've heard and read about, there are users who love W8, hate it, and anywhere in-between. Depending on your prior system you will have to deal with the learning curve. It always happens.

I have not heard of any fatalities as a result of W8.

Remember, if you opt for W7 you are taking a step backwards in operating systems, albeit a small one.

DA

I don't think windows 8 would be any harder to learn than 7. Every system has changes or new things you have to learn. I started out on a W 98 and used every Windows OS since.
W 7 was the hardest to learn.

My only advise would be, don't buy a Dell. I buy HP's then order the reformatting disks as soon as I set it up. Those disks can save you a lot of service calls and do a more thorough job than making your own.

Win8 is very much like win7 but with a new start screen, which is kind of like a full size start button.

One click on one of those tiles and youre in a win7 nearly identical desktop.

You want 64bit .. allows you to have 4gb memory or more.. 32bit is 3 or 3.5gb max memory. Word processing can use a lot of memory.. you should be thrilled at the speed of I5 and lots of memory for video editing too. Intel graphics is fine unless you like super fast action games.

Thanks very much for the replies. I am just very concerned about learning W8 when I don't have anyone nearby to help with that learning curve. That's a very big issue for me.

Also, as it's so recent, have they worked the problems out yet that always show up with new products?

Ginny wrote:_ I am just very concerned about learning W8 when I don't have anyone nearby to help with that learning curve. That's a very big issue for me.

Ah but you do have huge helpings of assistance really. Here is a link to eightforums where they deal with nothing but Windows 8, plus you can come here for help. Google is also a valuable friend when you need an answer right now instead of waiting for someone to reply on a forum.

As Mickie notes above, once the initial screen is gone it is very much like Win 7

The people here are great and you can Google for answers to your problems also. My problems are usually software problems like Word 2010, but I find 99% of the solutions by Googling. I like the feeling I get when I solve the problems myself.

".....I find 99% of the solutions by Googling. I like the feeling I get when I solve the problems myself."

ER,

I stand tall, and salute you. You have every right to be pleased with your action and results. Self-help first is a wonderful thing. Please keep up the good work. And, yes you made me smile.

DA

Thank you DA. I like to be independent. It's hard for me to ask for anything.