Installing Windows 7 on a new laptop with Windows 8

I'm about to purchase a new 11.6" laptop (under $500) that will likely come with Windows 8.
I don't like Windows 8. I prefer Window 7.
I intend to do a clean install of my licensed copy of Windows 7 professional on this new laptop.
I've never installed an old OS on a new machine. Wondering what issues tend to come up when this is done and/or if this is a bad idea. I'm aware that I will lose touch screen usability since Windows 7 doesn't support it.

 

Windows 7 is not an "old OS"; it's still being offered by OEMs on all business-class laptops sold for professional use. There should be no issues, since Windows 8 drivers work on Windows 7 as well. Also, Windows 7 does, of course, support touchscreens out of the box.

 

The drivers would be the first issue you need to resolve. Are there drivers for it in Win7 version? You need to check that laptop manufacture site and look that specific model and see does it have drivers for a Win7. If not then trying to install Win7 on a laptop with Win7 driver support will be very tricky to do and to get working correctly.

 

Unless if the OEM relies on generic Microsoft drivers that exist in Windows 8 but not in Windows 7. Which is almost a certainty for USB 3.0.

 

It honestly depends on the laptop. I tried to install Win7 on a newer budget laptop, and the Manufacturer (i forgot what one, sorry) never even developed Win 7 drivers. It was meant as a win8 machine. Not sure if that's still the case as people backlashed against Win8.

Just pointing out that it's not cut and dry. Find the laptop you'd like, then look into that one specifically.

 

As I said above, Windows 8 drivers are compatible with Windows 7 (and vice versa), since both operating systems share the same kernel architecture and interfaces. In other words, it doesn't matter if the manufacturer provides drivers, and there is no need for a "Windows 7 version". Just use the Windows 8 drivers.

The above point of USB3 is a non-issue as well since, again, newer drivers can be installed that provide the USB3 functionality. The issue only arises if somehow none of the ports can fall back to USB2 mode, in which case installation becomes difficult. Not impossible, but difficult...

 

Most OEM have their own drivers only the lazy manufactures would rely soley on MS for their driver support.

Since one can't identify what laptop they did it on is dubious support as well. If your going to make the claim you should be able to identify the laptop that isn't hard to do. Put this way a Win8 machine most likely doesn't have Win7 drivers and we shouldn't sugar coat it that it does. This isn't the backlash but MS forcing manufacture if they want the latest Win8 at bulk price they had to drop Win7 driver support this didn't come from the users. The backlash came as result of MS forcing W8 on users without no real input what users wanted.

 

I would just purchase a machine with Windows 7 that way you don't have to worry about warranty issues.

 

Assume one can find them still....or if they have those you can still get downgrade back to Windows 7.

 

Which warranty issues? I have yet to see a system where changing the OS voids the warranty.

 

Probably the year warranty to get from the maker of the laptop. I had a Gateway that I didn't buy the OS from them and they wouldn't honor. I purchased the retail version on the next OS. See the OS was installed with maker drivers and and other stuff. MSI used to have seals on the Laptop if you opened it voided the warranty (If seals were broken).

I checked 2 makers websites Asus and HP and they mentioned in their warranty agreement about changing OS's. HP stated their system was designed to work with their configuration and may not work properly with another OS.

Here is right from HP's website talking about changing if you don't like the OS and you change.
You may attempt to use non-Windows 7 drivers and programs that are provided by other companies; however, HP cannot provide technical support or diagnose potential hardware issues until you reinstall the original Windows 7 operating system.

Most manufacturers won't care or even know if you restore the Laptop back to the OS that came on the PC before you send it back. Also if the Manufacturer does support that OS and you purchased from them they will support it.

 

What Gateway told me once I told them I installed a retail version of the OS that It wasn't a there hardware it and I needed to contact MS. The problem was a the graphics card and I fixed it myself.

 

They would not support the OS that was not installed by them, which is pretty much a standard procedure. However, any hardware fault would still be covered under warranty.

That's not unusual, but what do hardware seals have to do with installing an OS?

 

Nothing but drivers can be OS dependent and drivers are the language that talks to Windows. The thing is the manufacturer warranty is guarantee that the system WILL WORK as they have it configured. So using a new OS can leave doubt that it's their problem. Sometimes they won't even notice but sometimes they will. I have an Acer that I added a SSD and moved the HD to a 2nd bay. I called Acer and they said I could but I knew they sold the model with 2 drives in Australia. Well what I needed was a cable to be able to use the 2nd drive bay. I found it in Canada and it even had a Acer part #. I had a screen problem while it was under warranty. I removed the 2nd drive and made it as close to the initial purchase as I could. What I'm saying is making changes while under warranty give them another reason to deny the repair without payment. I have an Alienware and Dell doesn't care if you add hardware they will honor the warranty of everything else that came with the PC. I even found a forum and people talked about warranties not being honored because the OS wasn't purchased or supported by the manufacturer. If the OS is supported on the model they will honor the warranty almost 100% of the time. But if you go to the support site and the OS isn't listed for that model good luck if the system needs warranty work.

 

I'm not saying anyone WILL have a warranty issue I'm saying they could.