Can't put Win 7 on new laptops?

I was just at the local computer store, and saw that fewer and fewer laptops have Windows 7 on them. The fact that Windows 8 sucks donkey balls of course had me dismayed. The guy that worked in the laptop section heard me talking about how I'd just format the drive, and install 7 on it in 8's place, and he told me that laptop manufactures have made this impossible, and that you are stuck with 8. Is there any truth in this? It seems kind of crazy/stupid to me to off customers in such a way. I've looked on google, but haven't come up with anything.

 

Actually you can install Windows 7 on newer or older models that came with Windows 8 pre-installed.

However, some OEM's consumer models do not provide with a simple place to download the Windows 7 x86/x64 drivers that work with it.

You can be spending some hours trying to find compatible drivers as best you could, the latest would take even longer even if you have the entire printout of all devices and software component found on your previous Windows 8 install.

On business class models, you are pretty much have a guarantee to have drivers for Windows 7 to Windows XP.

 

And Win 7 Pro is still an option on pretty much every business notebook too. As long as you can find the drivers for 7, you can downgrade without running into problems.

 

You need to tell that seller they are basically lying out of their rear end. Most if not many laptop from manufacture have drivers for their laptop Vista drivers will work for windows7 laptop if there isn't windows7 drivers. But since you don't mention model and make of laptop for others to research if the drivers are available for it. You can tell that seller if that is the case you will buy Apple...that will make him think twice about talking down to you as a consumer.

 

Yep, this. Or they're just plain incompetent.

 

I would personally go for option #2 if it was at a large electronics store like Best Buy. They do have some competent people there, but they also have their fair share of not technologically inclined people and it feels like the later category makes the bulk of their employees.

 

Oh you can definitely run into some serious problems if you attempt to install Windows 7 on a notebook with Secure Boot enabled in UEFI firmware. It can be turned off though...where they allow it ...

 

I have yet found one that actually does not have the option to turn off secure boot.
However, I do like the brand and model # that does.

Anyways, threatening your local sellers that you buy Apple instead, doesn't really bother them as much as long they can make a sale regardless what is.
The more expensive the purchase, the more happier the sale reps are.
...................................

If you want the easy route from your sales rep,
Just kindly them if the laptop of interest if can it qualify for downgrade rights or
they have a service that they can install an OS of your choice for some additional fee.

If not, move on to the next one or ask for another product that does have that kind of service.

 

Fujitsu AH530. Unknown to me, it had a buggy bios that prevented disabling secure boot. I was pretty sure I was going crazy before I figured out that only way to install Win7 is first to finish Win8 preinstall, then update bios and only then I could disable secure boot and install Win7.

 

Oh you might rethink that in this lean market times...the Apple stores more then happy to take those buyers then you think high price as they are. Customer service does make a heck of a difference in buying experiences and why do you think they have Apple stores?? No big surprise on that front....

 

Yeah, that's the sad part about it...they are the last in the line of retailer of large electronics but could do more in the knowledge department or at least staff with people whom are good with Customer but also have a background technical knowledge to help the consumer make better decisions on buying electronics rather then just seeing how many they can sell and to whomever without knowing what skill or knowledge they have to operate a computer let alone wade through all the technical jargon to know what to buy and look for.

 

That's probably why those makers go out of business...no one wants to be told what you can do and install on your laptop. That is why you look at the manufacture site for windows7 drivers if they have them and then you will know what laptops to avoid buying if they are going to do that. We have to do our homework to know about the laptop just like buying a automobile one needs to do their homework and read reviews......

 

Thanks. I add that on my watchlist.

Usually, I do a quick (through if time permit) examine the machine in factory state and do hardware specific updates before I start the downgrade / ship out.