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    Windows 7 Starter or Window XP Home on netbook?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Carson Dyle, Dec 2, 2009.

  1. Carson Dyle

    Carson Dyle Notebook Enthusiast

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    Many netbooks are available configured with either Windows 7 Starter or Windows XP Home. Windows 7 Starter can be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium via WAU for about $76, while XP Home would cost about $105 and a lot more work to upgrade to the same, should it be desired. My understanding is that Microsoft is actually selling XP Home cheaper to netbook manufacturers (with many of them having completely avoided Vista for Atom based netbooks) than Windows 7 Starter.

    My questions regard battery life and overall speed. Which OS is better? I've heard 180 degree opposing viewpoints, with some saying XP is supererior in both departments, and other saying Win7 is faster and gives better battery life. Without doubt, XP offers more configurability options than the limite Windows 7 Starter, but that's not my biggest concern at the moment.
     
    Carson Dyle, Dec 2, 2009
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  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Which ever OS that comes with a new net-book, take it, keep it and use it. Just like you said, 180 degree opposing views out there, no need to pay attention to them. I don't.

    I personally would take a SSD+W7 combination anytime though :p

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Dec 3, 2009
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  3. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    win7 is newer and cheaper and more simple to upgrade, so I'd take that one.

    and yes to qhn: win7 + ssd == love :)
     
    davepermen, Dec 3, 2009
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  4. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Some netbooks are sold with Win 7 Home Premium... if you want that, it's probably easiest to buy a netbook with that preinstalled... you can find some on newegg.com.

    Besides that, XP Home will probably perform a little better and use less disk space, but Win 7 Starter should have better usability, features, and security... I'd go for Win 7 if it's in the budget.
     
    swarmer, Dec 3, 2009
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  5. Full-English

    Full-English Notebook Deity

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    My sister has just bought an asus netbook with windows 7 starter, 1gb ram, and was quite surprised at how snappy it was, also none of the initial bloatware has been taken away, so I should imagine it will be even better once I have removed some of the junk. I give Windows 7 the thumbs up.
     
    Full-English, Dec 3, 2009
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  6. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    Well this thread is a bit one sided, no? :)

    But honestly, I myself can't say which would be better at batt. life or speed but either way my vote would be for 7 also. It's new and lightweight.

    ^^^ Hey I didn't know that; that's very cool. I love my netbook w/ Professional. :cool:
     
    makaveli72, Dec 3, 2009
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  7. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    I have an Asus 1000h. I upgraded it to 2gb RAM and got a 128gb SSD and installed Win7 HP. I had to tweak the ACPI drivers which is available online. The netbook does load and shutdown faster. Battery life is about the same.
     
    kanehi, Dec 5, 2009
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