Windows 7 Starter

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thnurg

Rebel without a clue
Location
Clackmannanshire
Yes. Come over to the light. http://linuxmint.com/
 

thnurg

Rebel without a clue
Location
Clackmannanshire
Yes, yes - please help me :blink:

Gladly. From the download page get hold of the standard edition DVD. Get the 32bit version unless you know your hardware is 64bit. If your machine is not the most powerful then get the LXDE version. Feel free to post questions, or to contact your local Linux User Group. There is one based in Rugby, just Google Warwickshire Linux User Group. They will probably be delighted to have you take your laptop along to one of their meetings and help you install it.
 
I didn't know a 'starter' edition existed, but the limitations (compared to Win7 Ultimate) seem insignificant to most users.
Certainly not much I'd notice.

Windows 7 Starter does not include:
* Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the Windows Basic or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews or Aero Peek.
* Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.
* The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
* 64 bit version
* Multi-monitor support.
* DVD playback.
* Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
* Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
* Domain support for business customers.
* XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.



I would take a peek at a recent Mint though! (in fact my Suse partitions have been neglected and may deserve a 'refresh'!)
 

Manonabike

Über Member
I didn't know a 'starter' edition existed, but the limitations (compared to Win7 Ultimate) seem insignificant to most users.
Certainly not much I'd notice.

Windows 7 Starter does not include:
* Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the Windows Basic or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews or Aero Peek.
* Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.
* The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
* 64 bit version
* Multi-monitor support.
* DVD playback.
* Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
* Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
* Domain support for business customers.
* XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.



I would take a peek at a recent Mint though! (in fact my Suse partitions have been neglected and may deserve a 'refresh'!)

Is that what you call insignificant?

You cannot even make you fav pic as your desktop background..... :laugh:
 

PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
Having used Linux as my primary OS on a laptop for several years, and Windows 7 on my main PC, I'd say it really depends on what you're looking for your computer to do, and what its specs are. I trialled many different versions of Linux before settling on Ubuntu. I used it for surfing the web and watching the odd TV program (from a *ahem* 24-hour video emporium *ahem*).

I found it did everything I wanted it to, but then the laptop slowly ground to a halt and I replaced it with a Chromebook. Not the most popular of decisions, but then I found that did everything I wanted it to too (except the videos thing, but meh). Now its the most used computer in the house. I'm only on the PC now as the missus is using the Chromebook.

Point is, does Windows 7 starter do what you need it to do and are likely to need to do? If yes, then go for it. If not, then consider upgrading - sure you can replace the OS, but wear in mind that the cheaper laptops are likely to be lower specced, and even the relatively less resource intensive variants of Linux may struggle.
 

Manonabike

Über Member
Having used Linux as my primary OS on a laptop for several years, and Windows 7 on my main PC, I'd say it really depends on what you're looking for your computer to do, and what its specs are. I trialled many different versions of Linux before settling on Ubuntu. I used it for surfing the web and watching the odd TV program (from a *ahem* 24-hour video emporium *ahem*).

I found it did everything I wanted it to, but then the laptop slowly ground to a halt and I replaced it with a Chromebook. Not the most popular of decisions, but then I found that did everything I wanted it to too (except the videos thing, but meh). Now its the most used computer in the house. I'm only on the PC now as the missus is using the Chromebook.

Point is, does Windows 7 starter do what you need it to do and are likely to need to do? If yes, then go for it. If not, then consider upgrading - sure you can replace the OS, but wear in mind that the cheaper laptops are likely to be lower specced, and even the relatively less resource intensive variants of Linux may struggle.

I also use Ubuntu on my netbook and PC. I first had a go at Linux nearly 15 years ago and at the time I felt that Linux was a bit too rode for my needs.

Last year my old and trusted HP laptop passed away, it was running Ubuntu fairly happy up to that point so when I replaced the laptop for a netbook....... I found that Windows 7 Starter was a painful experience at the best of times. Faced with the choice: fork out some considerable amount of £s or Ubuntu the decision was easy. And here I am, happy as Larry with my netbook running Ubuntu.
 

PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
I also use Ubuntu on my netbook and PC. I first had a go at Linux nearly 15 years ago and at the time I felt that Linux was a bit too rode for my needs.

Last year my old and trusted HP laptop passed away, it was running Ubuntu fairly happy up to that point so when I replaced the laptop for a netbook....... I found that Windows 7 Starter was a painful experience at the best of times. Faced with the choice: fork out some considerable amount of £s or Ubuntu the decision was easy. And here I am, happy as Larry with my netbook running Ubuntu.

Fair enough - different strokes for different folks is kind of what I was trying to say, in a very roundabout fashion.
 
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