Should I Uninstall Windows 8 and Install Windows 7 on my Samsung NP880Z5E?

Hi all,
I have a Samsung laptop with touchscreen but I am usually a keyboard user, not a touch or mouse user. So... I've found windows 8 to be terrible for me. I've never used Windows 7, not sure I am techy enough for linux, like Windows XP, didn't love the Mac OS, but feel anything would be better than Windows 8. (I never successfully updated to windows 8.1, kept having problems that I've found in other threads here).

I worry that the drivers for some of the hardware in my computer won't be compatible with Windows 7 since the machine was built specifically for Windows 8. Does anyone know whether there this type of laptop is likely to be compatible with Windows 7?

Or, is it worth giving Windows 8 another shot? How do you customize it to be less terrible? Specifically for keyboard users?

Ps, to save time here is the general low down on the equipment
Intel Core i7-3635QM
8GB Ram DDR3
AMD Radeon HD 8770M graphics
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235 wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n)
1TB Serial ATA II hard drive (5400 rpm)
15.6" LED high-definition widescreen 10-finger-sensing touch screen
Running Windows 8

 

If it were me, I'd keep 8 and give Classic Shell a try. A co-worker hated 8 and installed Classic Shell and he can't stop talking about how great classic shell is. Also, if you ever update to 8.1, you'll be able to configure things even more centered around a desktop user experience. You can have it boot directly into desktop mode for one and never really have to see the new "metro" UI.

 

Windows 8 is nothing to fear. Don't buy into the anti-hype. Get Classic Shell which is free. What does it do? Brings back the start menu in XP, Vista or Win 7 style. Then you're right back to the way you are used to.

 

A lot of the things that were broken or didn't work right in Windows 8 has been fixed especially since the 8.1 Update#1. I'm actually enjoying W8.1.1 more than W7 tbh. So I vote with the other and say there's really no need to add W7 unless you have a piece of software or game that refuses to work or install because of the new Windows 8 desktop.

 

There is no need but everyone seems to forget that W8, even with Update 1, is still for the minority of desktop users. Not that the points raised are not valid for those users making them but maybe not for the OP. Now to address his questions.

1.) Windows 7 will be an extra expense, both in cost and effort. You will have to determine if in the end it is worth doing.

2.) More than likely the drivers are out there for windows 7 but you will be on your own more than likely not just in finding them but in keeping the system up to date.

3.) check your OEM as they may not support the system with Windows 7 on it.

4.) Windows 7, to a lesser extent, will support touch screen as well.

5.) You state no experience with Windows 7, well get some first. What if you go through all the expenses just to find out you hate that version as well.

Lastly you ask is Windows 8 worth giving another shot. IMHO yes as it may be easier to adopt/modify/hack/3rd party Windows 8.x.x to your needs than to go the Windows 7 route. Just remember that if you heavily trash windows 8 to your liking then it could cause support issues of its own.

 

My advise, go with Win7, if you liked XP and no win8, you will learn easy the Win7...

 

Get XP then...

 

Apart from the Metro Interface i prefer Win8 over Win7, once i installed a start button replacement, i recommend "startisback" it`s not free but it`s the best i have used, also i use the free Windows Gadget replacement app called "Gadget8"

John.

 

I highly recommend this as well. It makes W8 behave more like W7 although I must admit I have gotten used to the new shortcut menu MS introduced to Windows 8.1 and I actually like it a lot. I have it enabled in my StartIsBack menu. But for me as a consumption OS I actually prefer W8 now over W7.