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Thread ID: 138223	2014-10-24 23:46:00	Feasible to downgrade preloaded Win 8 to Win 7?	Robin S_ (86)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1386749	2014-10-24 23:46:00	I am wanting to replace my wife's aging Vaio. She is not technotalented (we are superannuitants) and is currently using Win XP so I want to get a laptop with Win 7 preinstalled and install an XP-emulating shell to minimise changeover problems. Without going into reasons, other definite requirements are a matt screen and not an all-black keyboard (does a descendant of Henry Ford design most laptop cases these days?). By the latter I mean a 2-tone keyboard - black keys on a grey or silver background (all-white and blue are out). I would much prefer to get an Asus but despite extensive trawling for weeks (the Asus NZ website is singularly unhelpful) I cannot find one that matches the requirements - Win 7 and matt screens are scarce, especially in combination. There are a few with Win 8 preinstalled (I am looking for Pro versions), and I have been wondering if it is feasible to downgrade a Win 8 machine to Win 7 - presumably starting with Win 7 Pro retail. Resellers I have spoken to (not interested in Hardly Normal, Noel Learning and their ilk) say it is not really. After a search of the Asus website one reseller said that the Win 7 drivers are not available from there. I am also wondering about obtaining necessary proprietory software that comes with an Asus preinstall, such as SonicMaster. Could a computer professional do such a downgrade and at what sort of cost (which might be prohibitive)? I would not be enthusiastic about buying an HP, although I have been told that their business machines (? Probooks) are good and that all or most have matt screens (haven't had a chance to check this out yet). A quick look at the HP website shows that they have some series with Win 7 options. Would Acer be better? One problem with this is that virtually nobody includes matt/gloss screens in their specs - Asus shows "gloss" for a few models. My wife is not a power user - no games, video editing or such. The heaviest requirement might be eventual video streaming. Other specs I am looking for are - i5 Haswell, 4GB RAM (ideally expandable to 8), 320 or 500GB (or greater if necessary to get something) HDD, Intel graphics 4400 (negotiable), 15.6", 1355 x 768, DVD writer, at least 1 USB 3.0 socket, Fast Ethernet, 802.11n, HDMI, VGA port, Bluetooth a bonus but not essential, 4-cell battery. Most of these are standard on this sort of level of laptop. Does anyone know of anything that would meet these requirements, or of anyone in Auckland who could do a suitable downgrade to Win 7? I would be grateful for any suggestions. Definitely no parallel imports or website-only dealers. TIA	Robin S_ (86)
1386750	2014-10-25 00:03:00	What about off-ex lease laptops?? (pbtech.co.nz)	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1386751	2014-10-25 00:22:00	If you decide to buy a new Laptop with W8, unless it had downgrade rights to 7, then you may be in trouble. presumably starting with Win 7 Pro retail Doubt you will get W7 Retail, the end of sales was in October 31, 2013. End of sale: W7 OEM, Home pre is coming up VERY fast,-- At the end of this month October 31, 2014 With W7 Pro Not yet established. Note: End of sales refers to the date when a particular version of Windows is no longer shipped to retailers or Original Equipment Manufacturers. So basically at the end of this month there will no more copies of W7 Home shipped to shops, what ever is on the shelves is all that will be available.	wainuitech (129)
1386752	2014-10-25 04:52:00	Robin S. You say that you would rather not go to HP except for a Pro version. Why not ring/talk to HP Sales, google for offices in 4 main centres. Explain your problem, use the age card & see what they say. Next. I suppose it is impossible to get hold of a n XP OS disc now? Is it possible to Image your old comp hard drive over to a new comp with W8 already on it? Or even put the old HD into a new comp as well & dual boot. Or put the old HD into a case & plug it into a new Comp via USB cable & select which drive you want? PJ	Poppa John (284)
1386753	2014-10-25 08:20:00	Dell are still selling Win 7 pro business machines eg Inspiron 15 3000 series with i5 processor on special this week for $764 or an i7 for $1199 sorry I don't know if screen is matt or gloss.	tutaenui (1724)
1386754	2014-10-25 09:40:00	Thanks people. Speedy - an idea I hadn't really considered. Does anyone know of any reliable off-lease sellers in Auckland. Wainui - I think some HP Probooks have downgrade rights to 7. I had never heard of them and didn't know what they were. Does anyone have any comments on the quality and reliability of HP business laptops? I remember that a few months ago, in a thread on PF1, someone said that his firm had tossed all its HPs and gone to either Tosh or Asus I think. I know of one well-rated reseller who has or can get retail W7 Pro. Useful stuff and grist for the mill. Poppa - I have an XP installation disc with key, but would rather go the W7 way. Tutaenui - I don't know much about Dell but one of my nieces was sold one (new) and had multiple problems with it. The reseller dumped Dell for Compaq replaced hers with one of those. My understanding is that Dell aftersales service is not great (or less).	Robin S_ (86)
1386755	2014-10-25 21:18:00	Wainui - I think some HP Probooks have downgrade rights to 7 . I had never heard of them and didn't know what they were . Does anyone have any comments on the quality and reliability of HP business laptops? Generally the Business Laptops have downgrade rights, esp if they have Pro on them . The Business HP's aren't to bad, they are far BETTER than the consumer cheap rubbish that you get from the toaster shops . Business class laptops are different to general consumer laptops ( any Brand) , they are more robust, better components and made to last longer = More pricey $$$ . I'd stay well away from XP -- Its gone, out of date and there's more and more problems with XP every week as things are no longer supported by web sites, and some manufactures no longer have drivers for XP .	wainuitech (129)
1386756	2014-10-26 04:56:00	I'd stay well away from XP -- Its gone, out of date and there's more and more problems with XP every week as things are no longer supported by web sites, and some manufactures no longer have drivers for XP.Unless the PC is never needed for a web connection... ie its still a stable O/S for games and other apps. I'd still be using it or Vista, if I didn't need the Internet.	Greg (193)
1386757	2014-10-26 22:59:00	Wainui - thanks for the info. Boned up a bit on downgrading last night. Will speak to HP Tuesday. Greg - internet is a definite requirement so using XP is out.	Robin S_ (86)
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