I can't see upgrading from Vista (Service Pack 2) to Windows 7. Sure, Windows 7 is better than Vista in almost every way, but the improvements are minor compared to the pain you'll endure while upgrading.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. I've been using Windows 8 exclusively for a few weeks now. I'm over most of the initial struggles and growing pains. My computer can boot to seven systems: XP, Vista32, Seven32, Seven64, Preinstalled, Eight, and DOS. My observations. . .
XP is the fastest. Noticeably so.
Seven32 is the most versatile. It handles everything thrown at it with reasonable ease and speed.
Seven64 is just like Seven32, only fussy. Some things refuse to run. (Stricter driver control. No 16-Bit support.)
Vista32 seems like Seven32 without a few configuration options. Vista seems "prettier" too.
Eight is a struggle to use. I find I'm fighting the changes instead of enjoying them. Eight also seems much slower than the others. Although it performs commands quickly once it gets moving, the delay between my action and it's response is irritating. It's like an employee who insists on finishing his coffee before doing anything.
Eight has the visual appearance of a system under construction. The "minimalist" icons and graphics seem like temporary place-holders waiting for the "real" stuff to arrive. I feel like I'm running my fingernails down a black-board when I'm using it.
Microsoft's generous offer of an upgrade to Eight for $40 ($15 for systems purchased after June) ends in a few days, Jan 31. Then the price goes to $100 or more. Currently, I don't think upgrading's worth $40, let alone $100. (Maybe worth $15.)
P.P.S. A TechNet subscription is the way to go. One can test everything Microsoft makes for very little expense -- especially this year, with Office 2013 and Win8 coming out.
