Diane has an XP laptop — would it be a good idea to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro?
My main computer is a Windows 7; but I have a small laptop that is XP. Would it be worthwhile for me to take advantage of Microsoft’s special to upgrade the XP to Win8? I was thinking that would be a good way for me to ease into Win8, without giving up my Win7.
Our answer
Hi Diane. Since Windows 8 Pro is only $39.99 until the end of January, it might be an excellent way for you to learn Windows 8, while keeping Windows 7 on your main computer. Once you get past the start page tiles, Windows 8 is very similar to Windows 7.
You’ll need to make sure your Windows XP laptop is capable of running Windows 8 though. Microsoft’s Windows 8 upgrade assistant http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 will determine that for you.
If Windows 8 were $100 or more, we’d be telling you not to buy it for your older laptop computer. It may not be worth that much since your laptop is getting older. However, at $39.99 it would be worth it. Then when you buy a newer laptop with Windows 8 on it, you’d be all set — unless you waited so long that Windows 9 was out by then. But Windows 9 is at least 3 years away….
Hello, I have Windows7ultimate on my computer. I still have half of my large Hard drive unused and available for use, as it has already been partitioned. Could I use this for a Windows8 download and install. This would enable me to have a double boot system and learn Windows8 at my leasure. Thank you, Ken.