Hello,
 
I am upgrading my studio computer.  I am looking at a Core i7 3.4Ghz with 16GB of 1600Mhz  RAM.  The studio computer I'm replacing is an old Core 2 Duo 1.6Ghz running Win XP.  My work computer for my CAD software is running Win 7 64bit.  I really like it.
 
I'm realizing that most new computers come preloaded with Win 8.  I heard some grumblings about Win 8 is not very good at CPU intensive (Audio) environment.  Win 8 is great for average all-around users but not for intense Graphis or Audio.
 
Any comments on Win 7 or Win 8 ??
 
How difficult is it to go BACK to Win 7 if I had to purchase one with Win 8 already installed ??
 
Thanks
Ed

Me personally...Windows 7....I usually wait a good year, at least, before upgrading. I let microsoft and those brave enough to stay on the cutting edge to work through the bugs and crap...then it's smoother sailing for me when I upgrade. Just my 2 cents...

...and truthfully...I absolutely LOVE Win 7 64- bit...I loved XP and Win 7 has been just as stable for me as XP was and a good bit faster.

Not an easy, straight forward decision to make.

I was faced with the very same decision a few months ago and chose Windows 7 which I like, and am used to, for my new audio computer.

Our XP machine finally died recently and it will be replaced with a desktop also running Windows 7.

For me it's a personal matter, I hate the looks of Windows 8.
I don't think there's much difference under the hood.

If you have any intention of using a touchscreen, Windows 8 is a must.

Dell business machines are still available with Windows 7 (including installation disks).
Otherwise you'll have to buy Windows 7.

You might want to read this as well: http://blog.cakewalk.com/...pplications/#more-8777

edion2


Hello,
 
I am upgrading my studio computer.  I am looking at a Core i7 3.4Ghz with 16GB of 1600Mhz  RAM.  The studio computer I'm replacing is an old Core 2 Duo 1.6Ghz running Win XP.  My work computer for my CAD software is running Win 7 64bit.  I really like it.
 
I'm realizing that most new computers come preloaded with Win 8.  I heard some grumblings about Win 8 is not very good at CPU intensive (Audio) environment.  Win 8 is great for average all-around users but not for intense Graphis or Audio.
 
Any comments on Win 7 or Win 8 ??
 
How difficult is it to go BACK to Win 7 if I had to purchase one with Win 8 already installed ??
 
Thanks
Ed

I'm not sure where you heard that... Windows 8 has a faster core than Windows 7 if anything.  Other than being irritated with the start screen or a lack of support for any hardware you may have, there's no reason not to go with Windows 8.  Windows 7 is certainly not a bad choice either of course.
 
Check into the downgrade licensing for Windows 8, there are conditions with that that are complicated and I don't understand them muc myself.

I prefer windows 8 for X2 over windows 7

I had no need to upgrade from 7 to 8, but I did.  I had a friend who's a longtime CW user that swore I'd like it better.

I do like it for reasons that have nothing to do with music creation.  But realize going from Sonar 8.5 to X1 was a PITA, and 8 is simply an early nuisance with whatever hardware you have.

8 is very intuitive though (and MS has always sucked at that) so as everyone has said, it's a subjective decision.

 

     As long as there are official drivers for your hardware, I would go 8.
  I've been on 8 since mid December. A few little bugs crept up at first.
  A couple of updates later it's running great. 
     I bought the upgrade to 8 pro for my audio PC and my laptop when the price was dirt cheep. I'm using a touchscreen on my audio PC and remote desktop with my laptop. It's been great. 
      It took me a week or so to get comfortable with the new start screen.
Now I like it even better than Windows 7

I'd wait a bit and let things shake out with Win8.

• BIOS updates
• Core motherboard hardware driver updates
• Audio interface firmware and driver updates
• Plugin updates
• Application updates
• Updates to the OS itself

All these need to happen for Win8 to be absolutely rock-solid (across the board) as a DAW platform.
Early adoption doesn't guarantee problems/issues... but it does increase the likelyhood.
That said, Win8x64 is running pretty well here.  But, I've got a small set of Apps/Plugins and an audio interface that's know to (currently) work well under Win8x64.