I was in the same situation you are in now until someone told me I could not play games on an Apple. I know there are games for Apple, but I like the games I have. It was an easy decision then.

I'm facing the same dilemma. I have two machines I don't want to trash. They were expensive and I put the best in them, 6 years ago. They run like a dream and I have no intention of dumping them. I also don't have the money to replace them. I pisses me off that I am forced to deal with two computers which have no issues at all.

On the other hand, I also have an Iphone and IPad. I'm not crazy about Apple and how proprietary they are. I prefer Windows because everything runs on it. I don't want to deal learning a new operating system, although Windows 8 seems to be a challenge.

I have a Windows 8 laptop collecting dust in the closet. I will have to deal with it eventually, but my XP machines keep me grounded and don't require the time and energy to start over.

My gut feeling is Windows 8 will be another Vista. MS is going to have to make some major changes to Win8. People who work for a living are not happy with the new operating system.

I want to wait this out. Apple is a slim possibility, but I would rather wait to see what Microsoft does in the near future to improve the 'workability' of Windows 8.

Jane

Talk to a local computer repair center, don't go with Best buy. A local should be able to upgrade your system to Win7 without losing any info. Also many local can build you a system that will meet your needs and create the restore discs in case of problems. Win8.1 can be made to work similar to Xp but will never be as simple.

It seems any extras required for Apple products costs money. Windows has a wealth of free programs to do just about anything.

Personally I would not attempt to upgrade your current machine to Windows 7 or 8, it is an old 32 bit system where new machines are 64 bit and can accommodate more RAM (memory) therefore work much more efficiently and better handle today's software.

Why spend $100+ on a new operating system to upgrade an old, slow computer when a low end computer can be had in the $400 region? Once the old computer dies you are left with a useless operating system unless you are willing to build your own computer.

You can test your current computer by running the Windows Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft but be aware MS has a vested interest in encouraging you to upgrade, they like your money.

I will tell you what I would do and it may not be advice that is normally given. If I liked those computers I would use them until they died. I don't have any financial information on mine or anything personal, name phone number, etc. My PC is registered in my real name of course, but the name on it is an alias and I back up my stuff every 2 or 3 months, especially if I add anything new that is important to me. So if I got a virus or got hacked, no loss and you will have gotten more use out of it.

"People who work for a living are not happy with the new operating system."

The people who aren't happy with Windows 8 are the same sort of people who aren't happy anytime anything changes.

I work for a living. On a PC. Windows 8 is better at pretty much everything than Windows 7. It's faster, more functional, more secure. Windows 7 was all these things to the earlier OSes.

People complain about Windows 8 for the same reason they complained about 7: its not what they're used to.

If you're spending money on a new OS, spending it on 7 is silly. If you hate the metro system, just turn it off.

"The people who aren't happy with Windows 8 are the same sort of people who aren't happy anytime anything changes. "

People who work in offices are not happy with the changes as it takes time (time is money) to move everything, learn a new operation system, figure out how to relearn office programs, etc.

I don't think you realize how unhappy businesses are with this new operating system. Totally unlike Win7. New learning curve and when you have employees trying to figure out the new system they are losing time doing their jobs.

Check around, I think you will find out that the changes require too many changes for businesses who are trying to operate.

Jane

Owbist, my machine is not slow at all. Most of my day is working on Word and this old computer is fast, accurate and easy...dependable.

The other computer has my office programs on it and does what needs to be done quickly. Both machines were top of the line at the time and have plenty of power for what I do.

They both have years of work, programs which work quickly and easily without a glitch.

I think of them as 6 yr old cars which run with ease. I wouldn't sell them just to have a new engine or fancy gadgets I don't use or need.

I have a IPhone, IPad, I'm not a dinosaur. But my computers run with ease and I don't see any reason to upgrade at this point. Speed isn't a problem, they are fast for what I need them to do. I have no idea what I would need to work faster?

Jane

Jane my comments were for the OP, you have said frequently that you are happy and comfortable with your XP machines. That is excellent and yes, for an office environment they will do all you ask of them.

I acquired (freebie) an XP machine slower than one would ever hope so I invested a few dollars into more memory but it is still slow. One day when enthusiasm kicks in I'll attack the brute and stop everything from loading to find out where the problem lies.

I use a W7 system at work, and this W8.1 here at home. Once I configured the v8.1 to my specifics it could now be interchangeable with my W7 if I wanted it to be.

If you like something or don't like something that's fine as personal choice is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately it is true, there are many users who are resistive to change.

DA